Undergraduate Application Procedures

First-time Freshmen

Prospective students may apply for the Traditional BSN program through the UofL Office of Undergraduate Admission website. Applicants should select major code NU BSN. 

Transfer Students

Prospective students may apply for the Traditional BSN program through the Office of Undergraduate Admission - Transfer Services website. Applicants should select major code NU BSN. 

Internal Transfer Students

Students who are currently enrolled at UL may transfer into the lower division of Nursing by completing a change of major request through their ULink account. All Change of Major requests are reviewed at the end of the semester term.  

Note: The Upper Division application is an internal application and students must be admitted into the university and into the lower division program prior to applying for upper division. 

Admissions Deadlines

Fall Cohort: Open March 1 - May 1
Spring Cohort: Open September 20 - November 1

Note: Late applications and/or background check orders are not accepted.

All students applying for admission to the BSN Upper Division portion of the degree program must submit the following application materials online by the appropriate deadline:

1. Background Check:

Students are responsible for the $59.00 order fee for the required CastleBranch background check. Students do not need to complete the drug test for the application process. The background check should be ordered no later than 5 business days prior to the application deadline. Keep your CastleBranch login username and password for future use.

Instructions: 

1. Go to CastleBranch.
2. Select Place Order
3. Select BSN and then the appropriate program location (Louisville or Owensboro) for your background check.
4. Select the background check package and then continue the prompts to payment.

• CastleBranch will submit the results of your background check directly to the School of Nursing. Once you have placed your order, you will not need to submit results on your own.
• If additional information is needed, a School of Nursing official will contact you regarding your results.
• Outside background checks are not accepted.
• A new CastleBranch background check must be submitted each time you apply for Upper Division. Background check must be resubmitted if original check was ordered more than 9 months prior to the planned Upper Division start date.

2. Prepare your Goal Statement

Do not start the online application until you have completed your Goal Statement.

Write 500 words or less describing your personal qualities as they pertain to a successful nursing career. Address your perception of the profession of nursing and how you came to choose this career. Describe your short and long term nursing goals. The Goal Statement must be ready to attach as a Word or PDF document to the nursing application. Please save as the following file name: last name, first name ID#.

3. Application - Check Back on September 20th

Reminders: 

• Chrome, Firefox, or Edge are recommended for completing the form.
• You will have 10 minutes to complete the application.
• Please provide your louisville.edu email address on the application.
• If you continue to have trouble attaching the goal statement, please contact nursserv@louisville.edu. Do not resubmit the application.
• Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email to the email address you provided on the application. Check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive the email to your inbox.  
  • If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact the Office of Student Services to verify your application was submitted before attempting to submit your application again.
• Note transfer students only:  Please ensure your updated official college transcript(s) are on file with the Admissions Office.  Note: You do not need to submit your UofL transcript.

Admission decisions will be sent to the email address provided on your application 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.