UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing

Admissions

Admission Criteria

• completion of all published admission criteria, including passage of the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) RN Nursing School Aptitude Examination
• completion of an application for admission and a written essay
• submission of required references
• receipt of official high school transcripts or GED certification and official transcripts for all previous post-secondary education
• express the willingness to commit to an intensive academic program

How to Apply

Application Procedure Checklist

The following items must be submitted prior to being considered for admission. Testing by appointment only.

1. Complete a UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing PSB Nursing School Aptitude Examination — RN Registration Form and mail your money order in the amount of $25 payable to UPMC Shadyside to the address below
   
   The following steps are to be completed only upon passage of the PSB Nursing School Aptitude Examination:
   
2. Mail the completed application for admission with your admission essay and a non-refundable check or money order in the amount of $50 payable to UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing.
3. Two reference forms, submitted directly to the School of Nursing, are required. Complete and sign Section I of two copies of the recommendation forms. Forward the signed copies to two individuals for their recommendations. Persons writing recommendations should mail the completed forms directly to the school of nursing.
4. Complete the High School Transcripts Request Form and mail to your high school. If you have a GED certificate, please mail a copy directly to the school. 
5. If applicable, request to have official copies of your college, university, or technical school transcripts sent directly to the school of nursing. Transcripts must be submitted for all previous post-secondary education completed beyond high school.
6. Submit all of the above listed items to:
   UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing
   Admissions Office
   5230 Centre Ave.
   Pittsburgh, PA 15232
7. Offer of admission
   If accepted for admission, the candidate will receive a written offer of acceptance. To reserve a space in the incoming class, the candidate must acknowledge acceptance in writing.
8. Post-admission requirements

High School Pre-Entrance Course

Requirements:

• English 4 Units
• Mathematics 2 Units Algebra required
• Social Studies 3 Units
• Science 2 Units with a related laboratory

Pre-Requisite: Applicant must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have earned a General Education Development (GED) Certificate with a minimum passing score.

Transfer Students

Students who have attended other nursing programs and or colleges/universities in the United States may apply for admission to UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing as a transfer student.

To be considered for admission as a transfer student, the following conditions must be met:

• meet all regular admission requirements and pay a $50 admission fee
• send official copies of transcripts of all previous nursing work (including course descriptions and/or syllabi)
• interview with the associate director of Recruitment, Admissions and Student Support Services if the student has previously attended another nursing program

The final decision for admission rests with the associate director of Recruitment, Admissions, and Student Support Services.

Equivalent courses taken at other American colleges and universities are accepted for transfer to UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing if the following conditions exist:

• grade of “C” or better attained in each course
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (completed at the same institution), Microbiology and Nutrition must have been completed within the last 5 years. If greater than 5 years but less than 10 years since completion, applicants must take and score 70 percent or better on a challenge exam for each course. The cost is $55 per challenge exam.
• Logic and Human Growth and Development must have been completed within the last 10 years. Human Diversity is not eligible for transfer.
• Transfer course credits are accepted only upon admission to the school. Applicant must submit a copy of official transcript and catalog description of the course.
• Acceptable substitutes for required courses are determined by the affiliating college/university.
• Students admitted to, and currently enrolled in, courses at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing may take non-nursing support courses at other colleges and universities.
• Students may be asked to repeat or audit non-nursing courses as necessary. The final decision for remediation requirements rests with the associate director of Recruitment, Admissions, and Student Support Services.

Nursing courses from other schools of nursing are not accepted for transfer.