The upper division application includes the following:
- Application form (not used as part of application scoring)
- Progression GPA (PGPA)
- One audio-visual interview
- One written interview
Progression GPA (PGPA) will account for 95% of the final admission score. PGPA is calculated based on the following:
- Individual grade earned in each designated progression course will be used to calculate PGPA. Current students who want to view tutorials on calculating PGPA can watch tutorial videos available in the Blackboard Ultra BSN Lower Division virtual community site.
- If a student chooses to retake a progression course, any/all attempts will result
in those letter grades being averaged in the final PGPA calculation. This includes
lab-designated progression courses (i.e. BIOL 243L, etc.)
- *NOTE: Grades earned in any course within the USC system, regardless of attempts, including the original grade, will remain on the transcript and will be counted towards the institutional GPA. If grade forgiveness is applied, the grade will not be counted in the institutional GPA but will remain on the transcript.
- Students who earn grades of D+, D, F, FN, or WF in designated progression courses are eligible to apply for University grade forgiveness. Students must adhere to all University Registrar policies related to grade forgiveness.
Interviews will account for a combined total 5% of the admission score. Students will complete interviews through a third-party vendor including completion of one audio-visual interview and one written interview. Rubrics for the audio-visual and written interviews will be published at least 2 weeks prior to the opening of the upper division application to aid student preparation.
As part of our application process, we want to explore your unique perspective on the art and science of nursing through an interview process encompassing (1) written interview and (1) audio-visual interview.
The interview theme centers around the art and science of nursing which aligns with the University of South Carolina College of Nursing’s core values. Please note that this is a broad theme intended to support your preparation and does not represent the specific questions you will receive during the written or audiovisual interviews.
In approaching the interview theme, consider the following:
The art of nursing encompasses the College of Nursing’s values and includes actions and mindsets that consider the needs, goals, and perspectives of patients and patient populations from various backgrounds. The science of nursing includes an evidence-based practice approach through clinical, biological, and sociological science, ultimately resulting in a caring and holistic approach to health care.
We want you, the applicant, to share your perspectives of nursing given what you know about nursing so far, your life experiences, and your values. Consider examples from your life that show your approach to nursing and self-reflection.
Each interview response will be assessed using a four-point scale designed to capture the depth of reflection and insight:
- 0 (Poor): Response shows minimal understanding or connection to the theme, with limited clarity and engagement.
- 1 (Fair): Response demonstrates a basic understanding of the theme but may lack detail, relevance, or clarity in expressing ideas.
- 2 (Good): Response shows a clear understanding of the theme with relevant examples and insights, though it may not fully explore all ideas.
- 3 (Great): Response shows a deep understanding with well-chosen examples and unique insights, demonstrating a strong engagement with the theme.
The rubric serves as a general framework and does not represent the detailed scoring criteria that may be applied to individual interview components. Instead, this overview offers guidance to help you reflect and prepare, allowing you to showcase your unique perspective on nursing.