How to Apply for Graduate Programs at the USF College of Nursing

1. How to Apply for Graduate Programs at the USF College of Nursing M Parker – 2-17-2010

2. End Show Introduction This PowerPoint shows prospective students how to apply to graduate programs at the USF College of Nursing. It is designed to make the process as seamless as possible as well as answer many of the questions applicants encounter along the way. Skip Intro M Parker – 2-17-2010

3. Introduction Continued… Throughout this tutorial, you will see a number of “buttons” that are designed to help you navigate through the presentation. A guide to these “buttons” is below: End Show (this button allows you to skip the introduction and proceed to actual application process) Skip Intro Return to Start (this button returns you to the start of the tutorial) HINTS (this button takes you to hints for that step in the process) (this button takes you to the last slide you visited) Return to the Previous Slide (these buttons take you to the previous slide or advance you to the next slide) M Parker – 2-17-2010

4. Step 1: Apply the Graduate School The first step in the process is to apply to the USF Graduate School. This application is $30 and can be accessed through the www.facts.org website. A screenshot of the FACTS.org website is below: End Show HINTS M Parker – 2-17-2010

5. Step 2: Apply to the College of Nursing The second step is to apply to the College of Nursing. The College of Nursing application is to referred to as the SOAR application. The SOAR application can be accessed at: https://hsccf.hsc.usf.edu/soar/. There is no charge for the SOAR application. End Show HINTS M Parker – 2-17-2010

6. Step 3: Submit Supporting Documentation The third step in the application process is to submit your supporting documentation. For the Masters Program, this documentation includes: 3 Reference Forms – Click here for required format. Resume – Click here for required format. Sealed Transcripts from each institution from which a Bachelors or higher was earned. Personal Statement – Click here for required format For Masters only – these items mustbe submitted in one packet. See the HINTS for additional requirements on Masters Documentation submission. For Doctoral Programs, this documentation includes: 3 Reference Forms – Click here for required PhD and DNP format. Resume – Click here for required format. Goal Statement Sealed Transcripts from each institution from which a Bachelors or higher was earned. Evidence of GRE Scores See the HINTS for additional requirements on Doctoral Documentation submission. End Show HINTS M Parker – 2-17-2010

7. Deadlines The College of Nursing requires that ALL steps in the application process be completed and documents received by the College by 5pm on the deadline date. The deadlines are as follows: Masters Summer Deadline: February 15 Fall Deadline: June 1 Spring Deadline: October 1 The Masters admit terms include: Adult (Fall/Spring); Adult/Occupational (Fall/Spring); CNL (Spring/Summer); Family (Fall/Spring); Nurse Anesthesia (Fall-deadline March 1); Nursing Education (All); Oncology (All); Pediatrics (All) NOTE: Effective Spring 2011 the masters deadline dates will be changed to Spring: October 15; Summer/Fall: February 15. Doctoral The BS-PhD, MS-PhD, and DNP Programs admit students once per year for Fall semester entry Application Deadline for Fall: February 1 End Show M Parker – 2-17-2010

8. Questions? If you have questions on the application process, there are several ways that you can find the answers: Attend an Information Session – At the information session, staff review the admissions process and answer questions. The information session schedule can be found at: http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/docs/student_services/InformationSessions.pdf.(Information Sessions pertain to Bachelors and Masters Programs only. For information on Doctoral Programs, email: nurstudent@health.usf.edu.) Check out the “Frequently Asked Questions” on the Online Answer Center Once you have completed the above steps, if you have additional questions, you may wish to email nurstudent@health.usf.edu. End Show Return to Start M Parker – 2-17-2010

9. HINTS for Step 1: Applying to the Graduate School START EARLY! You should start the application process at least one month prior to the application deadline (at least two months prior if you are applying for Doctoral Programs). Near the end of the application, FACTS.org will instruct you to mail your supporting documents (explained in step 3) to the Graduate School. PLEASE NOTE: The College of Nursing is a Direct Receipt Program. You should NOT mail the documents to the Graduate School. Instead you should mail the documents to: USF College of Nursing 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 22 Attn:  Nursing Graduate Admissions Tampa, FL 33612 In order to complete the Graduate School application, you should have the following documents ready: Name and Phone Number of an Emergency Contact Documents to verify Florida Residency (if claiming Florida Residency) including: Voter Registration Card Driver’s License Vehicle Registration Information End Show Return to the Previous Slide M Parker – 2-17-2010

10. HINTS for Step 2: Applying to the College of Nursing If you try step 2 immediately after completing step 1 it will not work. A U-number is required in order to submit the College of Nursing application. Individuals who have completed step 1 (applied to the Graduate School) will receive an email from USF on how to access their U-number within 48 hours. Once a U-number is established, it may take an additional 48 hours for the USF system to upload to the Nursing system. Therefore, individuals should allow up to 4 days after applying to the Graduate School before attempting to login/apply to the College of Nursing. End Show Return to the Previous Slide M Parker – 2-17-2010

11. HINTS for Step 3: Submitting Supporting Documentation Hints for Masters applicants: Not all schools are willing to send official transcripts directly to the student.  If this is the case, you must submit proof of transcript request in your packet. Hints for Doctoral applicants: If you have a copy of the test scores sent to you from ETS, this will serve as evidence of the GRE. Alternatively, if your GRE shows on your transcripts, this is also acceptable. Hints for International applicants: All coursework and degrees completed outside the United States require a course by course evaluation from an approved evaluating agency.  The foreign transcript evaluation services approved by the USF Graduate School can be found at: http://www.grad.usf.edu/graduate-admissions-Foreign-Transcript-Evaluation.asp.  Please note that the Florida Board of Nursing maintains its own list of approved evaluating agencies.  The Florida Board of Nursing approved agency list can be found at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/nur_foreign.html.  Transcript evaluations must be received at the College of Nursing in their original sealed envelopes by the deadline. International applicants must meet the Graduate School requirements for the TOEFL. For a list of Graduate School requirements for the TOEFL, see: http://www.grad.usf.edu/graduate-admissions-checklist.asp. End Show Return to the Previous Slide M Parker – 2-17-2010