Our ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to critically think under pressure, accept constructive criticism, make sacrifices to achieve a goal, and develop greater resiliency through a growth mindset when challenged. The program has designed the application and interview process to evaluate each candidate’s suitability for our program by considering experiences in education, work, and life.
Yes, as long as you have current licensure as a Registered Nurse in one of the 50 states.
We only accept applications from those individuals who are current citizens of the United States or who are permitted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to reside permanently in the United States, and have current licensure as a Registered Nurse in one of the 50 states.
We do not accept degrees from competency-based programs where all courses are Pass/Fail and no GPA is assigned. However, we do accept Pass/Fail courses that are part of a degree that includes a GPA.
All attempts taken in Anatomy, Physiology (or A/P 1 and A/P 2), Microbiology, and General Chemistry are included in the calculation for the science GPA, including those taken in high school for college credit.
We consider all courses taken for college credit and do not drop lower grades of the same course. When courses are retaken to improve a GPA or course grade, we will factor in the new grade ALONG WITH the previous courses.
No. When taking a science course to fulfill our basic science requirement, we do NOT require that you take the lab portion of the course.
Courses taken for college credit do NOT expire. Our program has no requirement for retaking a science course after a certain amount of time to be considered for admission.
Yes, we recommend a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score of at least 305 to be competitive; however, we will accept application GRE scores that are lower than 305. Taking the GRE multiple times is not seen as a negative on your application.
The USC GRE code to report your scores is 5818.
The writing section of the GRE is not required or considered when we review your GRE scores. Our Program only considers your scores on the Verbal and Quantitative sections.
The GRE may be waived for applicants who have both an overall cumulative undergraduate GPA AND a basic science GPA of 3.50 (without rounding) or higher. Cumulative undergraduate GPA will be based on all courses taken for college credit. The Basic Science GPA calculation is figured from all attempts in the following courses: at least six (6) hours of coursework in Anatomy and Physiology, three (3) hours of coursework in Microbiology and three (3) hours of coursework in Chemistry (no lab required).
If you have completed a Masters Degree in science-related field, you can request a GRE exemption, but it is not automatically waived. You will need to submit a copy of your transcripts and a request to anesthesia@uscmed.sc.edu to have the GRE waived.
If you are uncertain as to whether you would be exempt or not, you may request further information from anesthesia@uscmed.sc.edu
PLEASE NOTE: We recommend that all applicants take the GRE. A score of 308 or greater will give an applicant a more competitive application than a GRE exemption. However, a lower GRE score will NOT cause a loss of the credit given for an exemption.
The code for the University of South Carolina to report your scores is 5818.
No. You may submit unofficial transcripts with your application. Official transcripts will be required upon acceptance to the program.
You must submit a transcript from any college or university where you took any course for college credit. This includes the college from whom you took a course for college credit in high school. Having the course listed on another university’s transcript does not suffice.
You may directly upload your documents when completing your application. Once the portal has closed, you my email your documents to gradapp@mailbox.sc.edu
Letters of recommendation are all confidential. When you send the link to someone requesting a recommendation, the person’s response is sent directly to the graduate school.
ICU experience with high acuity patients on a frequent basis is weighed more heavily on the application. Hospitals that are Level I or Level II (trauma) or Level IV (NICU) receive more weight. Also, CVICU/Neuro Trauma/SICU/MICU units are weighed slightly higher than CCU/NICU/PICU units.
In order to qualify for acceptance into a nurse anesthesia program, our accrediting body requires that all applicants have at least one year current critical care experience. For this experience, we accept Intensive Care Unit experience only. This does NOT include stepdown, ER, or flight nurse experience. Our program DOES include PICU and NICU as qualifying experiences.
The competition for seats in our program has greatly increased in the past few years. Though one would qualify for admission with ICU experience within the past 2 years, each applicant is competing with those that are CURRENTLY working in the ICU. We strongly recommend that anyone interested in becoming a CRNA remain in the ICU. Current, full-time critical care experience is preferred and strongly recommended.
No, our program does not require the CCRN. However, we recommend you do have some means to demonstrate that you are ready for a career that requires life-long, independent learning as part of your practice and critical thinking skills.
We strongly recommend, but do not require shadowing.
We strongly encourage shadowing a CRNA outside of opportunities provided in nursing school or as part of orientation to your ICU unit. Our program does not require a set number of hours for shadowing. You need to complete the number of hours and variety of experiences that help YOU understand the profession. You definitely want to know your ‘why’ before you pursue a program of this magnitude.
To add documents to your application after the portal has closed, send the document to gradapp@mailbox.sc.edu
You can track your application via the Graduate School Application Portal that you created.
We will be happy to send you more detailed information on how to increase the competitiveness of your application and then if you need more assistance you may contact us. Please contact us at anesthesia@uscmed.sc.edu