Application Instructions: Accelerated Nursing AA Degree

Interested students must be enrolled as an HCC student prior to submitting a supplemental application to the program:

• If not a current HCC student, or applicant has not taken a course at HCC within the past two years, apply for HCC General Admission.
• If transferring credit to HCC, request official transcripts be submitted from each prior academic institution. Electronic requests should be sent to the HCC email, transeval@howardcc.edu.
• If transferring credit to HCC, submit Transcript Evaluation Request Form.

Interested students must meet eligibility requirements:

• The applicant must complete the HESI (A2) Clinical Nursing Admissions Assessment with an overall composite score of 70 or higher. Scores are valid for two years.
• The applicant must have a science GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• The applicant must have a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• The applicant must have an overall HCC GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• The applicant may apply to both the Accelerated and Traditional Nursing programs. One supplemental application fee will cover both applications.

For final submission of the online application, the following will be required:

• A one-time $25 supplemental application fee, payable by credit card. The fee is waived for active military, active military spouses and veterans with appropriate documentation--DD214 or PCS orders. A promo code will be provided to eligible applicants when applying.
• Two documents for proof of residency – Howard County applicants only.
• · All items MUST have applicant’s full name and address matching what applicant provides in the supplemental application and has on file with the college. Documents with spouse’s or parent’s name will not be considered valid.
• · All applicants must reside in Howard County for a minimum of 90 days prior to the application deadline to receive Howard County priority in the lottery.
• · Suggested documents:
• Valid MD driver’s license
• MVA issued change of address
• Valid MD issued ID
• MD voter’s registration card
• Rental agreement/deed/lease/mortgage statement
• Utility bill: gas, electric, phone, cable, water
• Howard County tax bill from current year
• MD or Federal income tax return from the most current year
• MD or Federal withholding form from the most current year
• Pay stub

Rolling Admission Criteria – Application must be received by October 15

• Applicant has completed all prerequisite courses by September 15.
• Applicant has met the minimum GPA requirements.
• Applicant has passed the HESI (A2) Clinical Nursing Admissions Assessment with a composite score of 70 or higher by September 15.
• Applicant has submitted a Transcript Evaluation Request Form and official academic transcripts from previous colleges/universities (if applicable) by October 15.
• Applicant has accrued at least 15 points.
• Assignment of Points

The applicant will be notified within three weeks of submitting their completed application. If the applicant accrues fewer than 15 points, they will be deferred to regular admission.

Regular Admission Criteria – Application must be received by December 15

1. Applicant must complete final prerequisite courses by February
2. Applicant must meet the minimum GPA requirements.
3. Applicant must pass the HESI (A2) Clinical Nursing Admissions Assessment with a composite score of 70 or higher by February 1.
4. Applicant must submit a Transcript Evaluation Request Form and official academic transcripts from previous colleges/universities (if applicable) by February 1.

Students who will be completing all prerequisites by the end of the Fall or Winter term may submit an application prior to the completion of those courses. However, applications will not be reviewed until all required courses have been completed and final GPAs calculated. These applications will be reviewed along with those applicants who applied for rolling admissions but did not accrue the minimum 15 points.

At the end of the regular admission period, seats will be offered to qualified applicants based on residency status and point totals. See Assignment of Points here. Within each residency category, students will be offered seats based on their point totals, from highest to lowest. Legal residents of Howard County will be seated first. If open seats remain, out-of-county residents will be seated next, followed by out-of-state students. In the event of a tie in points, the science GPA will be used to break the tie. If necessary, the second tie-breaking category will be the GPA in all 11 prerequisites. The applicant will be notified of admission status by March 1.

A waitlist will be maintained, but will not roll over to the next year. Students on the waitlist who do not receive a seat will need to submit a new supplemental application during the next application period.

Students may submit supplemental applications to both the Accelerated RN and Traditional RN AA degree programs. Once a student accepts a seat in the Accelerated RN program, the Traditional RN application will be withdrawn.

• It is the student’s responsibility to know whether they are eligible for licensure.
• If admitted to the clinical program, a drug screening and criminal background check will be required prior to enrollment in any nursing and allied health clinical course in order to ensure the safety of patients in the clinical setting.
• Students who do not comply with the drug screening and criminal background check are ineligible for placement in clinical agencies and are not able to progress in the clinical program.
• If a student has a criminal background, it is the students’ responsibility to explore whether the background will prohibit them from being licensed and employed in the health care industry. HCC faculty and staff are not able to provide legal advice. If you have any questions about your background, you may wish to discuss this matter with legal counsel.
• Please note, as of 6/17/2021 ALL students who accept a clinical seat will be required to show proof of completed COVID-19 Vaccine prior to beginning their clinical semester.
• Please note, ALL students who accept a clinical seat will be required to show proof of completed COVID-19 Vaccine and health insurance prior to beginning their clinical semester.

• All correspondence will be sent to your HCC email account.
• Please check this account on a regular basis as it will be the official form of communication, including receipt of application, notification of missing documents and admissions decision.
• Applicants who need assistance accessing their HCC email account can contact the Technology Service Center at this link or by calling (443) 518-4444.