If you're a high school student interested in becoming a nurse, choosing the right college involves more than finding a university with a nursing major.
Nursing is a challenging and rewarding career that combines science, critical thinking, communication, and patient care. It also requires some important decisions before you ever step foot on a college campus.
Unlike many other college majors, nursing programs often have their own admissions requirements, and getting accepted to a university doesn't necessarily mean you've been accepted into its nursing program.
It can also be more (sometimes much more) difficult to be admitted to a college’s nursing major than to the college itself.
These distinctions can make a big difference in how you build your college list.
Whether you're just beginning to explore nursing or getting ready to submit college applications, here are four things you should understand about college planning for nursing majors.
1. Understand the Different Pathways to Becoming a Nurse
When most high school students talk about majoring in nursing, they're thinking about earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
A BSN is typically a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students to pursue licensure as a registered nurse (RN). After completing their nursing program, graduates must also meet their state’s licensing requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Unlike students planning to become doctors, dentists, pharmacists, or other healthcare professionals, who typically attend medical school after earning a bachelor's degree, nursing students can enter their careers after finishing their undergraduate nursing program.
But a BSN isn't the only pathway to becoming a registered nurse.
Students can also pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), often through a community college. Registered nurses who initially earn an ADN may later complete an RN-to-BSN program. There are also accelerated BSN programs for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field.
But for students planning to attend a four-year university directly after high school, the traditional BSN is usually the most relevant pathway to research.
2. Not All Colleges Admit Nursing Students the Same Way
This may be the single most important thing to understand before building your college list.
At some universities, students apply directly to the nursing major while they're still in high school. At others, students must complete one or two years of college coursework before applying separately to the nursing program.
These are two very different admissions models.
Direct-Entry Nursing Programs
At colleges with direct admission to nursing, students apply to the nursing program as part of their initial college application.
If admitted, they enter college with a place in the nursing program, provided they continue meeting the program's academic and progression requirements.
The benefit is that direct entry can provide greater certainty about your future as a nursing major.
However, direct-entry nursing programs can be significantly more competitive than admission to the university overall.
Example: Clemson University
Nursing is typically in the top 10 most popular intended majors at Clemson, which has a direct-entry program.
In a recent admissions cycle where Clemson received over 50,000 applications, over 4,000 students applied with nursing as their intended major. Clemson enrolled around 200 nursing majors.
Nursing programs often have limited space available because of faculty, clinical placements, and other resources required to train future nurses.
A college that looks like a Target school based on its overall admissions statistics might actually be a Reach for nursing.
Pre-Nursing or Secondary Admission Programs
At colleges with secondary admission, students are admitted to the university first, often as pre-nursing students.
They complete prerequisite courses and then apply separately to the professional nursing program, typically during their first or second year of college.
This gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their academic readiness through college coursework, but it also introduces some uncertainty.
Being admitted to the university does not guarantee that you'll eventually be admitted to the nursing major.
Students may complete several semesters of college and still not receive a place in the nursing program.
That's why it's essential to research the nursing admissions process at every college on your list.
Don't assume that you can apply to a different major because it's less competitive and simply switch into nursing later. At some universities, transferring into nursing is extremely difficult or not permitted.
Nursing admissions models in the Southeast
Use this list as a starting point for understanding how BSN admission works at popular colleges throughout the Southeast.
Appalachian State University - Secondary Application
Auburn University - Secondary Application
Clemson University - Direct Entry
East Carolina University - Secondary Application
Elon University - Direct Entry
Emory University - Secondary Application
Florida State University - Secondary Application
University of Alabama - Direct Entry
University of Georgia - Secondary Application (BSN program beginning Fall 2027)
UNC Chapel Hill - Secondary Application (with some Assured Entry spots available)
UNC Wilmington - Secondary Application
University of South Carolina - Secondary Application
University of Tennessee - Direct Entry
University of Virginia - Direct Entry
3. Nursing Admissions Can Be More Competitive Than You Expect
Students interested in nursing should approach their college lists carefully.
Nursing programs have limits on how many students they can accommodate, in part because students must complete supervised clinical experiences as part of their education.
This means that even universities where general admissions is relatively accessible may have highly selective nursing programs.
When researching colleges, don't rely exclusively on the university's overall acceptance rate.
Instead, investigate how competitive admission is for nursing students specifically.
If you're considering a direct-entry program, find out whether nursing applicants face additional admissions requirements when applying from high school (for example, some test-optional colleges still require SAT or ACT scores from nursing majors) and how many students the program accepts.
For secondary-admission programs, look into the eventual application process, including prerequisite courses, GPA requirements, number of available seats, and what happens if a student isn't admitted to the nursing major.
Your college list should include a realistic range of Likely, Target, and Reach schools based on nursing admission, not just university admission.
It's important to consider how comfortable you are with the uncertainty of a secondary-admission program. Just as important, make sure your college list does not only include competitive direct-entry programs.
4. Preparing for Nursing in high school
Strong preparation for nursing begins in high school.
Nursing is a science-based profession, so students should develop a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and math. Courses like anatomy and physiology can also be valuable opportunities to explore the field when available (although they don’t replace core classes).
But don't overlook your other academic subjects.
Nurses spend much of their time communicating with patients, families, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Strong writing, critical thinking, and communication skills are essential.
Outside the classroom, look for opportunities to better understand what nurses actually do.
That might include:
Job shadowing: Observing nurses or other healthcare professionals to better understand their daily responsibilities.
Volunteering: Spending time in hospitals, care facilities, or community organizations serving others.
Healthcare-related activities: Participating in HOSA, health science clubs, or other organizations that allow you to explore your interests.
Caregiving and employment: Taking on responsibilities through babysitting, part-time jobs, family caregiving, or other experiences that develop patience, judgment, and communication.
Some students may also have opportunities to pursue Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training while in high school, although this is not required for undergraduate nursing admission.
Remember that nursing programs aren't just looking for students who have accumulated the most healthcare activities. They're looking for college readiness for a profession that requires responsibility, empathy, teamwork, resilience, and good judgment.
Your experiences should help you develop those qualities while giving you a better understanding of the career you're considering.
And as you explore, keep asking yourself an important question: Why do I want to become a nurse specifically?
Wanting to help people is a starting point, but nursing is a distinct profession with its own responsibilities and challenges. The more you understand about the role nurses play in patient care, the better prepared you'll be to decide whether this is the right career for you. And the better prepared you’ll be to write application essays on why nursing is your chosen path.
Final Thoughts
Nursing is a wonderful career option for students who enjoy science, working with people, and making a meaningful difference in their communities.
But the college admissions process for nursing majors requires careful research and planning.
Before applying, make sure you understand:
How each college admits nursing students
How competitive a college’s nursing program is
What requirements you'll need to meet once enrolled as a nursing or pre-nursing student
And remember that a strong college fit involves more than admission. Clinical experiences, academic support, nursing program accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and affordability all deserve consideration as you compare your options.
Taking the time to understand these differences now can help you build a college list with realistic pathways toward your nursing goals.
Want to Learn More?
Our free College Planning for Nursing Majors Guide takes a closer look at the nursing college admissions process, including:
Direct-entry vs. secondary-admission nursing programs
High school course planning for future nursing majors
Extracurricular activities and healthcare experiences
What to look for in a college nursing program
Building a balanced college list for nursing
Preparing strong nursing applications
The guide also includes interactive worksheets and planning activities to help you research programs, reflect on your interests, and organize your college search.
Download our free College Planning for Nursing Majors Guide to start exploring your options and planning your path toward becoming a nurse.