For students planning to enroll at the University of Iowa as a first-year student in fall 2027 and beyond, direct admission is the only option to earn a BSN (pre-licensure) from the UI College of Nursing. This includes high school students graduating in spring 2027 or after. Contact us at nursing-programs@uiowa.edu if you have questions concerning this update.
If nursing is your passion, Iowa is your home
Together we will turn your passion for nursing into a future you love.
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Small town feel, Big Ten energy
At Iowa, you’ll get a top tier nursing education in a supportive community full of Big Ten energy; all in one of the country’s best college towns.
Hands on experience at Iowa’s top hospital
Your clinical experience begins with your first semester of nursing course work. Much of it will take place on campus at UI Health Care, home to the state’s best adult and children’s hospitals. With a level 4 NICU, a level 1 trauma center, and five-time Magnet recognition for excellence in nursing, you will be working with and learning from top clinicians every day.
Learning from leaders
From research to practice to leadership, our faculty are top in their fields and their doors are always open to undergraduates.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
ACT/SAT minimum score
Although the university is test optional, the College of Nursing requires a minimum ACT composite or SAT total score for admission eligibility.
ACT minimum composite score:
Iowa residents: 24
Non-residents: 26
SAT minimum total score:
Iowa residents: 1160
Non-residents: 1230
High School Prerequisites
Collegiate course work can be used to complete high school deficiencies:
Minimum 3.8 cumulative GPA (can be weighted or unweighted)
4 years of English
1 year of each: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics*
1 year of each: Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry
3 years of Social Studies
Minimum second-level proficiency in one world language**
*Physics must be completed prior to starting nursing curriculum.
**If a candidate meets the minimum requirement of second-level proficiency in one world language, they will be required to complete an additional three s.h. course from one of the following categories: Values and Society, Understanding Cultural Perspectives, or International & Global Issues. Students who complete fourth-level proficiency in one world language or second-level proficiency in two world languages satisfy the college’s graduation requirement and need not take additional world language coursework.
If you have questions, please email nursing-programs@uiowa.edu
APPLICATION PROCESS
University of Iowa Application DUE | College of Nursing Supplemental Application DUE | Notification of Admission Decision |
|---|---|---|
November 2 | December 7 | Early March |
Step 1: University of Iowa application
- Apply for first-year admission through the UI Admissions portal and indicate Nursing Interest as your major area of study.
You will be notified via email when the link to the supplemental application is available in your admission profile in MyUI. The link may take up to two weeks to appear.
Step 2: College of Nursing supplemental application
Essay questions: These are a very important part of your application. We recommend writing your responses in a separate document (using Microsoft Word or Google docs) and pasting them into the application when complete. This allows you to proofread and save your responses. Each essay question has a 1,500-character limit (including spaces).
Activities and work/volunteer experiences: As you write your responses to both sections, be sure to articulate how these opportunities have developed you as a person and contribute to your future success as a nurse.
Step 3: Submit OFFICIAL high school transcript:
By mail:
Enrollment Management
2900 University Capitol Centre
201 S. Clinton St. Iowa City, IA 52242
Electronically:
Transcripts can be sent to admissions@uiowa.edu or submitted via the Common App.
IMPORTANT: For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent directly from the student’s school.
Step 4: All students who meet eligibility criteria will receive an invitation to schedule a virtual interview with members of the admissions committee after the application deadline has passed.
Admissions decisions: Decisions will be sent in early March.
Acceptance deadline: All students must accept or decline an admission offer by May 1.
Waitlist for admission: A select number of students who are not initially offered admission will be placed on a waitlist. Once all seats have been filled, any student remaining on the waitlist will have their application to the College of Nursing canceled.
FACTORS CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION
The admissions committee considers many factors while reviewing applications, including but not limited to*:
Academic preparation, including GPA
ACT composite or SAT total score
Advanced placement, honors, and/or dual enrollment credit
Demonstrated commitment of service to others
Essay responses
Experiences that develop qualities that contribute to becoming a successful nurse
Experience in caregiving
Military service
Understanding of professional nursing practice
*This list is in alphabetical order and does not indicate order of importance. It is not all inclusive.
TOEFL REQUIREMENT
International students seeking admission into the College of Nursing must meet the admissions requirements for their pathway. BSN student applicants who are citizens of a country in which English is not the official language must have a score of 5.0 on the iBT TOEFL.
