Holistic review applies strategies that assess an applicant’s unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement such as grades. It is designed to help the nursing program consider a broad range of factors reflecting the applicant’s academic readiness, contribution to the incoming cohort, and potential for success both in school and later as a nursing professional. Holistic review, when used in combination with a variety of other mission-based practices, constitutes a “holistic admission” process. Many colleges and universities have employed a holistic admission process to assemble a diverse class of students with the background, qualities, and skills needed for success in the nursing profession (Modified from American Association of Colleges of Nursing-AACN).

Washington Center for Nursing has information about how to be successful in the holistic admissions process. See: https://www.wcnursing.org/be-a-nurse/holistic-admissions-how-to-be-successful-in-the-process/ 

Students must be eighteen (18) years old to enter the nursing core (courses with a NURS prefix) portion of the program. 

CNA/NAC certification is not required for program application or entry. Clinical skills associated with the role are taught in the nursing program. Nursing program courses do not qualify students to become certified as a CNA or NAC.

Applications will not be considered unless and until they have completed the Minimum Nursing Degree Requirements. Students can be in progress with courses if they complete all the applicable courses by the application deadline. In the case of an incomplete grade or grade change, it is the student's responsibility to update their records. Completion of the general education requirements does not guarantee entrance into the nursing program core.

Additional Degree Requirements (MATH& 146, PSYC& 100, and Humanities) must be completed before the term of nursing program entry. They are not required for application and are not included in points in the selection process.

There is a 7-year limit on all science courses (with the exception of BIOL& 160). Meaning that sciences cannot be older than 7-years at the time students enter the core portion of the program (courses with a NURS prefix). 

All communication happens through the NursingCAS WebAdmit tool. Make sure you create an account with an email you check regularly and check spam and junk emails regularly. Verify your information is accurate in the Personal Information section as well. Both Clark College and NursingCAS will contact you through the email you provided when applying.

All students with a complete application will be notified of their admission status by specific dates following the admission deadlines. The three (3) application deadlines per year: April 1 for fall entry, July 1 for winter entry, and November 1 for spring entry.

NOTE: Accepted students typically have a six-to-seven-month gap from when they are accepted to when they begin in the nursing core. 

If you are having trouble submitting your application, several factors could be at play. Start by ensuring that all sections are completed (verify that all four quadrant circles are green). If you have completed everything and are still experiencing issues, contact a health care academic advisor or the Selective Admissions team who can troubleshoot with you. 

There will be a “?” icon next to your name on the application. Click that to connect to the CAS helpdesk as well as find their contact email.

Yes. NursingCAS requires verification of all coursework taken at every college attended, and this verification only occurs after all components are finalized. We recommend ordering your transcripts, including Clark College transcripts, early to make sure your application is submitted with enough time for processing. 

For 99% of institutions, you will be able to order transcripts directly through the application within the NursingCAS system. If your college is not listed within NursingCAS, please contact the institution directly for ordering instructions. 

You want to ensure your transcripts go to NursingCAS, NOT to Clark College. Please make sure that transcripts are ordered a minimum of three weeks prior to the application deadline.

It can take a few days for NursingCAS to process your transcripts. It is normal to get confirmation they were sent, then have a few days before NursingCAS notes them as received on your account. 

No, we do not recommend our applicants to use this feature because it’s an added cost and can require additional processing time. 

You can estimate as close as possible. If you took it early, select first-year/freshman. If it’s been about a year, select sophomore. Do not worry about mistakes in this section. You will not be penalized. 

Use your best guess as to what makes sense, and when in doubt you can pick the “Special Topics” option without issue. 

During an asynchronous assessment, you'll be asked to submit timed video and/or written responses to questions that have been pre-recorded by the school. Each question will have a designated amount of prep and response time, and you can track your remaining time for each component on the screen. You'll be able to record your responses from the comfort of your home, and you can do so in your own time. This is a one-way interview. The Clark College Nursing program has chosen to use Kira Talent to ensure the admissions process is as bias-free as possible. 

Laptop or desktop (the platform is not supported on mobile devices or tablets, including iPads). However, Microsoft Surfaces are supported; camera, built-in or external; microphone, built-in or external (headphones will work); speakers; stable internet connection. If you are concerned about or don’t have access to these tools, please contact: NursingHolisticAdmit@clark.edu 

When you receive an invitation to complete the Kira Assessment, you will have one (1) week to access the assessment. You will need to complete it at one time. You will not be allowed to start and then return and finish it. If it's your first-time using Kira, we recommend setting aside 15-30 minutes to complete the Check-In process. Your asynchronous assessment will take about 35 minutes. Please plan for 45 minutes to an hour to ensure you have enough time. If you need accommodation, please reach out to DSS before accessing the Kira assessment. If there are extenuating circumstances, you can request access to the assessment be extended by emailing NursingHolisticAdmit@clark.edu 

Information about the deadline is in the email invitation to complete the Kira assessment. Students have 1 week to complete the assessment from the date they receive the invitation. If you are unable to complete the assessment in this time frame, please contact NursingHolisticAdmit@clark.edu stating the reason you need the deadline extended. Extensions will be granted individually for extenuating circumstances and other valid reasons. 

Once your responses to your asynchronous assessment have been submitted, you cannot redo your questions. In rare circumstances, a retake may be granted at the discretion of the nursing program. If you have good reason to believe that a retake is necessary, please email NursingHolisticAdmit@clark.edu. Your responses will be reviewed, and a retake will be issued if required. 

A team of trained evaluators at the college will review your submissions based on established and verified rubrics. Evaluators are trained in how to evaluate and have received bias training. Each submission will be reviewed by two evaluators. If there is a large difference between scores, the submission will be reviewed a third time, and the highest score will be applied.