St. Olaf offers two opportunities for prospective students to apply for admission to the nursing program.
- Direct Admission: students intending to major in nursing at the time of application to St. Olaf College may be considered for direct admission. This allows first-year students to apply directly from high school. Students who wish to apply for direct admission must first apply to St. Olaf College via the Common Application or Coalition Application. Contact the Admissions Office for assistance.
- Regular Admission: students enrolled at St. Olaf may apply to the nursing program during the fall semester of their sophomore year. Communication about the application process will be sent to students who have expressed an interest in nursing and are listed as applicants with the nursing department.
Students are encouraged to express an interest in the nursing major upon application for admission to St. Olaf College. Please let the Admissions Office know that you are interested in nursing, and they will direct you to the necessary additional application required for the nursing major. It is advised that you apply as early as possible. Direct Admission is limited and competitive.
Should I apply Direct Admission or Regular Admission?
Direct admission requires a couple of additional steps that occur when you apply to St. Olaf. If you are granted direct admission, you must maintain the required cumulative and prerequisite GPA. Other criteria must also be met. Direct admission in no way binds you to your choice. At St. Olaf, we are committed to helping you identify your passion. If you discover it is something other than nursing, we will help you find that path.
Regular admission occurs in the fall semester of the sophomore year. Students not accepted for direct admission or students who develop their passion for the nursing major while at St. Olaf are welcome to apply at that time. To be granted regular admission, you must maintain the required cumulative and prerequisite GPA. Other criteria must also be met.
Please review the Nursing Planning Sheet for assistance with your planning process. Also, click on the “Majors, Concentrations” tab to be directed to the Academic Catalog. The Academic Catalog has detailed information regarding the nursing major.
Conditional Acceptance
Conditional acceptance to the nursing program for all applicants (direct and regular admission) will become final only if students meet certain criteria prior to the fall semester of their junior year.
Admission decision letters are provided to applicants to the nursing program every January. Conditional acceptance to the nursing program is necessary in order to matriculate in the spring semester, 200-level nursing courses required for the major.
The nursing major begins in the spring semester of the sophomore year.