Admissions

Applying to Illinois State

Select “Nursing (BSN)-Prelicensure” as your major of choice on the application for admission as an incoming freshmen.

Admission is only available for the fall term. This program is highly competitive, and space is limited. Freshmen are encouraged to apply early during the preferred filing period beginning August 1 to November 1.The college may continue to accept and review applications after the priority filing deadline until target enrollment is met.

In reviewing applications for Nursing (BSN) - Prelicensure, the Office of Admissions will review information provided on the application for admission and from your high school transcript, including:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or any healthcare exerience is encouraged. CNA certification is not required, but it may enable an applicant to be more competitive in the applicant pool.
• Your high school GPA and grade trends.
• An essay describing your desire to pursue a career in nursing.

Prior to enrolling in nursing coursework students must meet health and safety compliance requirements, to include drug testing, a criminal background check, a physical examination, and several immunizations. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in dismissal from the major.

International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions. Please apply early in the application time frame to ensure adequate time to review transcripts.

Essay Prompt

As an applicant to the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN), it is important that you understand our mission, vision, and values.

Read the values statement below and explain what it means to you.

Specifically, describe how any of your personal, work, or volunteer experiences have influenced you to pursue a career in nursing and how these experiences coincide with our values at MCN.

Your statement should be approximately 500 words and should provide us with a better understanding of who you are and what you would like to contribute to the nursing profession.

Mennonite College of Nursing sets the standard for excellence in nursing practice and education. We develop life-long curious learners who strive to improve health, provide service to and care for others. We value diversity and inclusion in an environment that focuses on empathy, advocacy, and purposeful action.

Remaining in the Major

To remain in the major students must:

• Earn an overall Illinois State University GPA of 2.50 or higher on at least 24 attempted hours. Also, earn a grade of C or higher in the following courses in order to remain in the Nursing Major: BSC 160, BSC 181 or KNR 181 & 183; BSC 182 or KNR 182 & 184; CHE 110 and 112, or 140; FCS 102; HSC 105; PSY 110, 213; and one of the following: ECO 138; POL 138; NUR 138; PSY 138; MGT 100; MAT 150. Dismissal from the major will result when a student receives an overall Illinois State University GPA of less than 2.50 on at least 24 attempted hours, or a grade of less than "C" in any two prerequisite nursing courses listed above or twice for the same prerequisite course.
• Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA after completing NUR 224 and 237.
• Maintain full-time, consecutive fall–spring enrollment at the University. Any student not enrolled at the University for more than one fall or spring semester or who has been academically dismissed from the major must reapply to the major. Readmission will be granted on a selective basis.
• Obtain a C or better in all nursing courses; dismissal from the major will result when a student receives a grade of less than C in any two nursing courses or twice for the same course.
• Those students who are dismissed from the major will be changed to "Undeclared" major status.

Applying to Illinois State

Admission is only available for the fall semester. Transfer applicants are encouraged to apply by our priority deadline of January 15. The college may continue to accept and review applications after the priority filing deadline until target enrollment is met.

Select “Nursing – Prelicensure” as the major of choice on the application and designate your preferred learning location for Normal or Springfield, IL. Preferences will be considered but may not be accommodated.

Admission to this academic program is limited and is based on space availability and the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to: college courses completed, hours completed, grades in prerequisite courses, cumulative GPA, quality of essay, healthcare experience and C.N.A. certification. C.N.A. certification is not required, but it may enable an applicant to be more competitive in the applicant pool.

Admission decisions are typically released in early to mid-March.

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

3.07 - 3.65

Required Courses

A minimum of 55 credit hours (of which 37 must be IAI General Education) and prerequisite courses must be complete prior to fall enrollment (and not at the time of application). The following prerequisite courses or equivalents must be completed with a grade of C or better:

• Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHE 110, 112 or 140)
• Statistics (ECO/GEO/POL/PSY 138 or MGT 100 or MAT 150)
• Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY 110)
• Lifespan Development Psychology (PSY 213)
• Microbiology and Society (BSC 160)
• Human Physiology and Anatomy I (BSC 181 or KNR 181/183)
• Human Physiology and Anatomy II (BSC 182 or KNR 182/184)
• Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (FCS 102)
• Medical Terminology (HSC 105)

Official transcripts verifying completion of Human Physiology and Anatomy I (BSC 181 or KNR 181/183)  OR  Microbiology (BSC 160) displaying a grade of C or better must be received by the supporting material deadline of February 1 by the ISU Office of Admissions, Campus Box 2200, Normal, Illinois  61790-2200.

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

Consider completing an approved Illinois State AMALI (non-western) course prior to enrollment into nursing. Although this course may be completed following admission, earlier completion will allow for a reduced workload upon entrance.

Please visit Nursing.IllinoisState.edu for more information.

Additional Information

• If admitted to the program, the location assigned at time of admission is the location the student will learn and complete their BSN degree. For both Normal and Springfield learning locations, clinical experiences occur at various healthcare sites generally within a 75-minute radius of the learning location
• Prior to enrolling in nursing coursework, students must meet health and safety compliance requirements, to include drug testing, a criminal background check, a physical examination, and several immunizations. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in dismissal from the major.
• International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions. Please apply early in the application time frame to ensure adequate time to review transcripts.

Retention in the Major

Transfer students admitted to the major as a junior must:

• Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA to remain in the major.
• Obtain a C or better in all nursing courses; dismissal from the major will result when a student receives a grade of less than C in any two nursing courses or twice for the same course.
• Maintain consecutive Fall-Spring enrollment at the university. Any student who has not been enrolled in ISU coursework for more than one Fall or Spring semester or who has been academically dismissed from the major must reapply to the major. Readmission will be granted on a selective basis, depending on seat availability.
• Those students who are dismissed from the major will be changed to "Undeclared" major status

Academic Advising

Middle 50% GPA

3.07 - 3.65

Application Period

For fall admission- apply between the 1st day of classes in January and the Friday of finals week in May.

For spring admission- apply between September 1st and the Friday of finals week in December.

Internal transfer applicants are eligible to apply for the Traditional BSN Springfield Location or Normal campus.

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

Required completion of Inner Core courses following Illinois State's General Education Program and courses listed below with grades of “C” or better prior to enrolling in NUR 222, 239, 225, 229.

Complete a total of 55 hours (in addition to nursing courses):

• CHE 110 / 112 or 140
• ECO/GEO/POS/PSY 138 or MGT 100 or SOC 275 or MAT 150
• PSY 110, 213
• BSC 160, 181, 182
• FCS 102
• HSC 105

Academic Advising