Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

An unofficial transfer credit evaluation to check for completion of the nursing prerequisite courses and the university’s General Education Requirements will be completed by the School of Nursing prior to the decision release date. Admission is contingent upon official verification by the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Applicants will be required to submit Proof of Enrollment at the time of application for any prerequisites not yet completed. If enrollment has not opened for a particular course, students will be asked to submit a statement of Intent to Register that lists the course, institution, dates of instruction, and enrollment date.

Tuition is a flat rate of $45,000 for Wisconsin residents (including reciprocity for MN residents) or $60,000 for nonresidents.

Some financial aid will be available, but federal and state aid is limited for second degrees.

All prospective accelerated students will also need to submit an additional application to UW–Madison’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Candidates who were previously enrolled at UW–Madison (whether or not a degree was earned), as well as candidates who are applying to enter UW–Madison for the first time, must complete the UW System application for second-degree seeking students in addition to the School of Nursing application. Click here for more information.

Note that applying to the accelerated BSN program disqualifies a candidate from also applying to the traditional BSN program during the same calendar year.

Applications

To be considered, you must complete two application forms:

1. UW–Madison Application: Candidates who were previously enrolled at UW–Madison (whether or not a degree was earned), as well as candidates who are applying to enter UW–Madison for the first time, must complete the UW System application for second-degree seeking students in addition to the School of Nursing application by September 15.
   • Major: Nursing (Accelerated)
   • Start term: Summer 2024
2. School of Nursing Supplemental Application for the Accelerated BSN Program: The application deadline has passed. All eligible applicants must participate in an interview in order to be considered for this program.
   • Application period open: July 15
   • Application deadline: September 15 @ 11:59 pm (CT)
   • Zoom Interview: November 2–3, 2023. Interview dates and times will be assigned by the School of Nursing.
   • Notification of decisions: End of December

Applications are accepted once a year to start the program in May.

Review of Applications

Successful applicants have strong academic ability as well as leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, service, and healthcare experience. We also consider professional goals and diversity in experience and background. Admission is highly competitive and based on a thorough and holistic evaluation of each application.

About the Application

Applications are submitted online here (only live during the annual application period). There is no fee to complete the nursing application. There is no lifetime limit to the number of times a prospective candidate may apply to the Accelerated BSN program.

The online application has four main sections:

1. Applicant Information: Name, contact information, etc.
2. Academic Information and Educational History: Provide a list all the colleges and universities you’ve attended to date, including dates of attendance, total credits received, and degree(s) earned (if applicable). Complete a table indicating how and where you completed the seven prerequisite and general education courses.
3. Work Experience and Involvement Table: List up to five of your most notable activities or accomplishments (leadership roles, community service, employment, other activities, honors, awards), with the amount of time you dedicated to each and a description of your impact, participation or accomplishments.
4. Personal Statements (Essays): Answers to five personal statement questions will be required in the preliminary application; an additional “on-demand” essay response will be required in-person and on-site. Questions are subject to change each year.

The School of Nursing sends admission decisions via email in December. Admitted students must accept the offer of admission and confirm intent to enroll by January 20, as detailed in the admission letter.

Appealing a Decision

Every application denied has already been through an extensive faculty review. For an appeal to have merit, it must bring to light new compelling academic and/or personal information, as well as details pertaining to extenuating circumstances, that were not addressed in the initial application. Essentially, the appeal must present information that clearly shows the student to be stronger than had been earlier evidenced.

While all appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the percentage of decisions that are reversed based on an appeal is historically very low.

There is no special form. Appeals should include a letter outlining the argument for an appeal. Supporting documentation may also be included. The following rules apply:

• Applicants can only appeal once and decisions resulting from an appeal are final.
• Appeal letters must be written and submitted by the applicant, along with supporting documentation as appropriate, within 10 business days of the deny decision.
• Waitlist decisions cannot be appealed.

Submitting Your Appeal

Appeals must be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. Email and regular mail are both acceptable formats for submission. It is our usual practice to respond to appeals within 10 business days of the receipt date.

Email admissions@nursing.wisc.edu.