Nursing
Bachelor of Science

Estimated Full-Time Academic Expenses

Estimated Living Expenses

Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia 30912          
Telephone: (706) 721-2725 or 1-800-519-3388
E-mail: underadm@mcg.edu
Web site: www.mcg.edu/Admissions

For more information about our BSN program, please visit www.mcg.edu/son/undergrad.htm#BSN or e-mail the program director at BSN@mcg.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a wide variety of questions. This list cannot begin to answer all of your questions, but here are some frequently asked ones.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline for the 2008 class is Dec. 1, 2007. Early admission deadline is October 16, 2007. You may improve the chance of acceptance by indicating on the application that you would accept either campus.

When are admissions decisions made?

The majority of admission decisions are made at a February meeting of the Admissions Committee. Applications from students with exceptionally high academic achievement are reviewed in November. Offers of early acceptance may be made to some of these individuals.

What about my references?

MCG requires two references for admission. At least one must be an academic reference (within the past three years). Letters of reference from individuals who have taught you and/or observed your interactions in a clinical setting are a good choice.

What if my transcripts and references reach your office before the application arrives? Will you keep them?

Yes. We log each document in our information system as it is received, filing them in our miscellaneous file until the application arrives.

What kind of GPA do I need?

The School of Nursing requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all attempted academic courses. Previous classes have averaged a GPA of about a 3.5.

Do I have to take the SAT?

Yes, all nursing applicants must submit SAT scores. A score of at least 450 on the SAT verbal section, or at least 18 on the English section of the ACT, is required. The new SAT essay score is also required for applicants taking the exam March 2005 or later.

I had to retake some of my science courses because I got Ds the first time. Will this hurt my chances?

We include all college courses in calculating your overall GPA, so it will be a disadvantage for you since it will affect your GPA. However, it will not eliminate you from consideration provided you have successfully completed all of the prerequisite courses at a grade of C or higher.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I went to school 10 years ago and got poor grades. After working for five years, I now know I want to be a nurse. I’ve gotten good grades since returning to school. Can you “forgive” my old grades?

We do look at the overall trend of grades and definitely consider that when we evaluate your application, especially if you have returned to school and have done well with a significant course load. However, your overall GPA will still reflect your entire academic career, so you will need to be more competitive in other areas such as experience and references.

It’s been more than 10 years since I took some of my science courses. Will I have to retake all of them?

No, except for human anatomy and physiology. You must validate your human anatomy and physiology courses by retaking the sequence to ensure a current knowledge base. It will also help you to review areas appropriate for our program such as biology and chemistry. All science courses must include a lab.

Do I have to complete all of my prerequisites before I can be accepted?

Yes. You must have documentation of completion of all prerequisite courses prior to registration, so be sure to allow enough time for official transcripts to reach the Office of Academic Admissions.

Do I need to satisfy U.S. and Georgia history and constitution requirements before I enroll?

Yes, for most students. To receive a baccalaureate degree from the University System of Georgia, you must earn 12 semester hours of social sciences. The Georgia Legislature also requires that  students demonstrate knowledge of U.S. and Georgia history and U.S. and Georgia constitutions, either by completing course work or by passing an exam covering those areas. In Georgia colleges or  universities you can take courses in U.S. history and American government that satisfy both the course requirement and the legislative requirement. If you are transferring from within the University System of Georgia, you must satisfy the legislative requirement for U.S. and Georgia history and constitutions prior to your MCG enrollment. Non-System transfers must satisfy these requirements in their first semester at MCG.

What if I took U.S./American history and American government courses at a college outside of Georgia?

Your U.S. history and U.S. constitution legislative requirements will be satisfied, but the Georgia history and Georgia constitution legislative requirements will not be. If you took U.S. history and American government courses outside the state of Georgia, your Georgia requirements must be satisfied by exam in your first semester at MCG.

Do you require volunteer or paid work experience?

No, but work experience can only help your application. It helps us to know that you have adequately explored the nursing field.

Can I attend your program part time?

No. At this time we have only full-time programs.

Can I work full time while attending your program?

“No” is our best advice. Our programs are very demanding. Classes generally meet Monday through Friday with homework assignments that fill evening and weekend hours. We cannot prohibit you from working full time while in school, but most students find it extremely difficult to work more than 10 to 15 hours per week. The Office of Financial Aid is very helpful in finding alternative funding sources. Also, many hospitals and companies will provide financial assistance in return for a specified amount of time spent working at that facility. You will need to identify these resources and treat them as you would any employment contract by determining your willingness to work at their facility, assessing the terms involved and comparing them to other opportunities.

When will I know if I’m accepted?

You will be notified one way or the other by a letter from the Office of Academic Admissions, usually by mid-March.

What is an alternate list?

We usually have more qualified applicants than places in the class. Some qualified applicants may be placed on an alternate list. If and when an accepted applicant withdraws, an alternate may be contacted to fill that position. Alternates may be contacted up to the time of orientation. We recognize this arrangement makes it difficult to plan, but we do not know how many alternates will be admitted to the program until the class begins.

Do you have a waiting list?

No. We have a competitive admission process each year. If you are not accepted one year, you must fully reapply to be considered the following year.

Do you accept transfer students from other nursing programs?

No. The curriculum at each nursing school can vary significantly from one program to the next. We require that you take the full nursing program at MCG.

What can you tell me about your graduate program?

The graduate program leading to the master of science in nursing degree builds on the bachelor of science in nursing degree. Majors are offered in adult/critical care clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner and nursing anesthesia.

For more information, contact the
Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research at (706) 721-4710 or the
Office of Academic Admissions at (706) 721-2725.