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A D M I S S I O N S

The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is pleased to announce an exciting option for nurses interested in our MSN programs. The GRE Waiver Process will allow eligible candidates for masters’ study to have the requirement of satisfactory GRE scores waived for admission if they meet certain criteria. We carefully monitor the operational aspects of this program in order to ensure the academic success of candidates. We continually explore the relationship between prior academic achievement and current academic achievement.

 GRE Waiver Process:

• Applicants who meet the requirements listed below will be considered on an individual basis by the Program Director/staff in each specialty area;
• A completed application and all supporting documents must be submitted in a timely manner for fall, spring, and summer admission;
• An interview with the Program Director or staff of the specialty area will be arranged;
• Candidates not approved for the GRE Waiver Process will be required to take the GRE before final action on their application for master’s study.

 Requirements for waiving the GRE:

• BSN graduate from an accredited institution***
• Cumulative BSN Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale
• Two references reflecting academic achievement and clinical proficiency (direct supervisor)
• Demonstrated leadership in academic, work, and volunteer experiences
• Successful interview with graduate program staff
• Post-graduate applicants (those applicants who have successfully graduated from a degree granting accredited graduate program such as: MA, MS, MSN, MPH or PhD), as long as the candidate has achieved a competitive GPA of 3.0 or above in the advanced degree.

Please note: With the exception of the GPA requirement, applicants for the GRE waiver will be held to the same requirements for admission to the MSN program as all other applicants. Approval for the GRE Waiver does not imply or guarantee admission to the MSN program. Your cumulative BSN GPA will be used to determine your eligibility for waiver, Penn Nursing will not re-calculate your GPA.

The School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania is an exciting place to study advanced nursing practice. Many of nursing’s finest leaders are part of our faculty and staff. You will be challenged and given many exciting opportunities to further your nursing career with a Penn Nursing MSN.

***The following individuals are not eligible for the GRE waiver process:

• RN Returns (without BSN)
• BSN/MSN applicants
• PhD Applicants
• International applicants
• Non-Native English speaking applicants

For further information on the GRE Waiver process, contact:

 Sylvia V. J. English, Enrollment Management Coordinator, at sylviaj@nursing.upenn.edu.