Complete any necessary prerequisite courses, degrees or tests. Prerequisites can range from an English proficiency test for a certified nursing assistant program at Santa Barbara City College to a bachelor's degree in nursing with a high grade-point average and certain required courses for a master's or PhD in nursing at UC-San Francisco. Make sure you have met any prescribed minimum grades or scores needed in your prerequisite work.
Ask for letters of recommendation if required by the school to which you are applying. For example, transfer applicants to the University of San Francisco's undergraduate nursing program must submit a recommendation letter from a professor, adviser or employer. Give a recommender at least two weeks notice before the letter is due.
Contact any colleges or universities you have previously attended to request that an official transcript be sent to your prospective school. A high school transcript may also be required for applicants to bachelor's and associate degree programs. In addition to official transcripts, some undergraduate students may need official SAT or ACT scores sent to their prospective college. While community colleges generally do not require test scores, four-year schools generally require that incoming students take at least one of these exams.
Fill out college application forms. These can typically be completed online through a common application, where prospective undergraduate or graduate students can apply to multiple campuses at once. Write an application essay, if required. For example, undergraduate applicants to the University of San Francisco are asked to write a one- to two-page essay about the university's mission. If an essay is required, students should be careful to follow all instructions about length and topic and to proofread carefully before submission.
Apply for any financial aid for which you may be eligible. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply for federal grants, loans and work-study. Filing the FAFSA is required for California residents who want to apply for Cal Grants--additional grants available to state residents. Individual schools can also have their own application processes to apply for institutional aid.
Arrange to have all necessary health testing, immunizations and background checks completed before your program begins. For example, students admitted to graduate nursing programs at Cal State- Stanislaus must complete a criminal background check, submit a negative drug and alcohol blood test and provide proof of immunization against diseases such as measles and polio.