College of Graduate Nursing MS in Nursing (ADN to MSN) Program MS in Nursing (BSN to MSN) Program MS in Nursing-Completion (MSN) Program Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program MS in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP) Program Application Checklist and How to Apply Guide This checklist is provided to assist you in collecting the materials listed below. The application deadline (including ALL application materials) is March 1, 2013. Note: This checklist is different from the on-line application checklist so please be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully on both checklists. ______ Online application o o Through our website at http://nursing.westernu.edu $60 non-refundable application fee made payable via credit card at the time you submit your online application ______ Agreement page o Will be submitted electronically after application fee has been received ______ Personal statement o o o Will be submitted electronically within the online application Compose your personal statement in a separate Word document and be sure to edit for spelling and grammar. It’s always a good idea to have others proof read for spelling, grammar and clarity before submitting Once your personal statement is ready, you can copy/paste within the respective section of the online application ______ Resume or Curriculum Vitae o Will be submitted electronically within the online application ______ 3 Reference Forms o o To be completed by two (2) employers or faculty and one (1) professional colleague (non-relative) Can be sent in one of three ways:  Complete the top section of the form before submitting to the recommender. The recommender must complete the remaining information on the form.  Have these forms scanned and emailed directly from your evaluators to [email protected]   Receive the completed form in a sealed envelope from your evaluators and include in application (if mailed or brought in-person) Forms can be emailed directly to [email protected] ______ Copy of RN License and any Advanced Practice certifications if applicable (i.e. FNP, CRNA, CNS etc.) ______ Official Transcripts of all schools attended o o o All transcripts must be received – including any undergraduate and/or graduate coursework that did not culminate in a degree WesternU prefers to accept transcripts electronically. These transcripts are considered official documents if they are sent directly from your school using one of the many Online Transcript Exchange services. These services include Interfolio, Docufide, or E-Scrip Safe. Please check with your registrar to see if this service is available. If this service is available, please have your registrar’s office select the appropriate Western University of Health Sciences receiver account. NOTE: If you have completed any coursework outside of the US, you must get your coursework evaluated by either:  Josef Silny & Associates (http://www.jsilny.com/)  World Education Services (http://www.wes.org/) ______ Non-BSN Supplemental Portfolio • • http://prospective.westernu.edu/assets/prospective/nursing-adn-msn/adnmsn-nonbsn-worksheet.pdf This form is only required if you do NOT have a BSN degree (i.e., you graduated from a entry-level MSN program) How to Write a Resumé or Curriculum Vitae Visit these sites (not affiliated or officially endorsed by WesternU) for helpful tips on how to write a Curriculum Vitae: 1. http://www.ehow.com/how_15747_write-curriculum-vitae.html 2. http://www.ehow.com/how_2144563_create-a-resume.html 3. http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/how-to-write-aresume/article.aspx Tips for Letters of Recommendation • Always think of quality over quantity (i.e., do not focus on getting five OK letters, focus on three high quality letters) • Put thought into whom you would like to ask – supervisors, professors, and professional colleagues are great places to start • Ask someone that you have worked with and can cite specific examples of your work ethic, character, and/or educational strengths • Visit these sites (not affiliated or officially endorsed by WesternU) for helpful tips on Letters of Recommendation: 1. 2. 3. 4. http://www.ehow.com/how_8231050_recommendation-letters-graduate-school.html http://www.ehow.com/how_8476069_ask-after-youve-out-school.html http://www.ehow.com/how_8302154_can-school-working-three-years.html http://www.petersons.com/college-search/letter-recommendation-how-ask.aspx Application Timeline Our application deadline for the fall entry is March 1st – all application materials must be received on or before the deadline. • • • • • Summer (or as early as possible) – begin seeking out your evaluators for your letters of recommendation and begin your online application o Letters of recommendation can be a timely process as it takes a while to ask the evaluator for the letter and the turnaround time for the evaluator to write the letter. Allow the evaluator ample time to complete the letter (2-4 weeks) November – Submit your online application. Complete and submit your Non-BSN Portfolio (if applicable) December to January – contact all schools attended and find out how to send transcripts. o Schools may take up to 3-4 weeks to send transcripts; avoid paying any rush fees by requesting transcripts early o WesternU prefers transcripts to be sent electronically, however if your schools do not offer this service we will accept sealed & mailed transcripts as well o You may have your school mail the transcripts directly or you can get an official copy and mail in yourself January – secure all letters of recommendation February – submit application packet with all documents well before the deadline to avoid rushing Summer: Begin seeking out your recommenders; Have any foreign coursework evaluated SUMMER November-December: Contact all schools attended to order transcripts FALL November 1: Submit your online application. Complete and submit Non-BSN Portfolio (if applicable) WINTER January: Secure all letters of recommendation; Check status of transcripts Please send all application materials to: Western University of Health Sciences Enrollment Data Services (EDS) Office – MSN Program 309 E. Second Street Pomona, CA 91766-1854 (909) 469-5335 E-mail: [email protected] February: Submit all application materials SPRING