Application Requirements

The SBCC ADN program uses a multi-criteria points admission selection process. About 30-35 applicants are accepted each application cycle. Each cohort will be filled as follows: 80% of the seats will be filled by the highest-points applicants, and 20% will be filled using a random selection.  No waitlist is maintained. If you are not offered a seat, you may re-apply.

Changes to the multi criteria points, beginning with the January 2023 application cycle, have been made.

• Please click HERE for the multi-criteria sheet for generic ADN applicants.
• Please click HERE for the multi-criteria sheet for LVN-ADN Bridge applicants.

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All prerequisites must be completed at the time of application. In-progress prerequisites are not accepted and your application will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered.

1.  Apply to Santa Barbara City College: All applicants must apply to the college and have a student profile created, which includes a student ID number (K#) and campus email address.

2.  ADN Application Packet: You may view the ADN Packet here. When ready to submit please do so electronically.

ADN Application Period Currently Closed 

3.  Academic Transcripts: Submit your High School and all college transcripts, regardless of if coursework was for nursing related courses. To submit your transcripts, visit the Admissions & Records website. Electronic transcripts are preferred. If only a hard copy, in its original sealed envelope, is available include it with your mailed ADN application.

4.  Course Prerequisites: Each of the following must be a college credit course completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Courses may be taken Pass/No Pass. A Pass will be calculated as a “C”. A No Pass will be calculated as a repeat.  All grades must appear on your transcript(s). Course descriptions are required with your application for prerequisite courses completed at a non-California Community College. Course descriptions must come from the specific catalog year in which the course was taken.

• English Composition and Reading
  • At SBCC is English 110.
  • For English not taken at SBCC, please submit this form by the ADN application deadline to have your English course evaluated. If instructions are needed, click here. If the form is submitted after the application deadline, then your application will be considered incomplete.
  • If the English prerequisite was met with an AP score of 3 or higher, the AP Score Card must be included with your ADN application. You must also submit your AP score for evaluation, follow these instructions. If your evaluation request for your AP score is submitted after the application deadline, then your application will be considered incomplete.
• Anatomy with Lab
  • At SBCC is BMS 107.
  • Must have been taken within seven (7) years of the application cycle (does not apply to LVN-ADN Bridge applicants).
  • For Anatomy not taken at SBCC, it must be at least 4 semester or 5 quarter units.
• Physiology with Lab
  • At SBCC is BMS 108.
  • Must have been taken within seven (7) years of the application cycle (does not apply to LVN-ADN Bridge applicants).
  • For Physiology not taken at SBCC, it must be at least 4 semester or 5 quarter units.
• Microbiology with Lab
  • At SBCC is BMS 127.
  • Must have been taken within seven (7) years of the application cycle (does not apply to LVN-ADN Bridge applicants).
  • For Microbiology not taken at SBCC, it must be at least 4 semester or 5 quarter units.

NOTE to Transfer Students: If you take a combined Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) course, in order to satisfy the Anatomy and Physiology prerequisites above, you MUST complete the entire sequence at your college of attendance. If not, you will need to complete separate Anatomy and Physiology courses.

5.  TEAS Test: Only TEAS Version 7 is accepted. A minimum overall total score of 62% is required. TEAS test results must be submitted to SBCC directly from ATI; copies from students are NOT accepted. 

• Only the first TEAS attempt results of the accepted TEAS test version(s) are accepted, if taken multiple times. For LVN-ADN Bridge applicants, the first attempt after completion of your LVN program, can be accepted, of the accepted TEAS test version(s).
• SBCC will accept a TEAS test given by Proctorio via the ATI website. SBCC offers the TEAS test as a courtesy for students applying to the SBCC ADN program prior to each application cycle. Please visit our TEAS Info webpage for more information. 

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Click the link below to access the application:

ADN Application Period Currently Closed 

• It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that all required application materials are submitted. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the nursing review committee. 
• Please follow the application instructions thoroughly.
• Application documents will not be reviewed prior to submission by nursing or counseling staff, nor will applicants be notified during the application and review cycles of missing items.
• Do not contact the Nursing Program for status of admission. The first communication will be sent via the applicant's campus email address that is provided on the nursing application once all review has been completed.

Information and deadlines are subject to change. Please check the website periodically.

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Fall Entry

• Applications received between January 15-31 (if end date falls on a weekend or holiday, the application deadline will extend to the next business day)
• Applications reviewed through end of March (may extend into April if necessary)
• Applicants notified of program status during the first two weeks of April via email address provided on application (may extend into late April if necessary)
• Mandatory Orientation Meeting - Admitted students will be notified of the date after acceptance

Spring Entry

• Applications received between July 1-21 (if end date falls on a weekend or holiday, the application deadline will extend to the next business day)
• Applications reviewed through end of August (may extend into September if necessary)
• Applicants notified of program status during the first two weeks of September via email address provided on application (may extend into late September if necessary)
• Mandatory Orientation Meeting - Admitted students will be notified of the date after acceptance

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The nursing review committee is comprised of nursing faculty, staff, and academic counselors who follow the application process thoroughly and consistently in order to be fair to all applicants during the review process. 

These are the most common reasons an application is incomplete:

• Missing transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges attended are required, even if the coursework was not part of the nursing major. The applicant's SBCC Student Academic Profile reflects previous colleges attended and the time attended, which is provided by the student at the time of school application. If a college attended is listed in the student's school records, on the nursing application, or listed on other transcripts, a copy of that school's transcript must be electronically submitted to SBCC.
• Missing High School transcripts when no college degree is posted: If no degree is posted on college transcripts, official High School transcripts are required. If the applicant is in doubt of whether or not their degree is posted on their college transcript, they should submit official High School transcripts electronically just to be safe.
• TEAS results other than the first attempt: SBCC requires the first TEAS attempt of results showing a minimum overall total score of 62% or higher. Exceptions:
  1. LVN-ADN Bridge applicants may submit their first attempt after completion of an LVN program;
  2. If the score from the first attempt is lower than 62% and a remediation plan was followed prior to retesting, the subsequent attempt will be accepted, along with proof of having completed the remediation plan.

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All students who are not selected for admission must re-apply during subsequent application cycles.  No applications will be kept on file. 

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Spring 2024 entry application selection (July 2023 application cycle)- 94 ADN applications received for 32 seats - minimum points 67

Fall 2023 entry application selection (January 2023 application cycle)- 122 ADN applications received for 36 seats - minimum points 69 / 11 LVN to ADN applications received for 7 seats - minimum points 59

Spring 2023 entry application selection (January 2022 application cycle) - 170 ADN applications received for 36 seats - minimum points 69

Note: Due to unexpected staffing changes, no LVN-ADN cohort was admitted for Spring 2023.

Fall 2022 entry application selection LVN to ADN bridge students only - 30 LVN to ADN applications received for 20 seats - minimum points 48 

Spring 2022 entry application selection (July 2021 application cycle) - 156 ADN applications received for 32 seats - minimum points 79 / 26 LVN to ADN applications received for 7 seats - minimum points 72

Summer 2021 entry and Fall 2021 entry application selection (January 2021 application cycle)- 266 ADN applications received for 69 seats (34 in summer 2021 and 35 in fall 2021) - minimum points 80 / 27 LVN to ADN applications received for 10 seats (5 in summer 2021 and 5 in fall 2021) - minimum points 66

Spring 2021 entry application selection - 174 ADN applications received for 37 seats - minimum points 81 / 20 LVN to ADN applications for 8 seats - minimum points 53

Note:  The students who were admitted to the Fall 2020 cohort were shifted to a Spring 2021 entry due to Covid-19 and no new students began the program in Fall 2020.

Spring 2020 entry application selection - 126 ADN applications received for 35 seats - minimum points 78

Fall 2019 entry application selection - 174 ADN applications received for 35 seats - minimum points 77 / 29 LVN to ADN applications for 10 seats - minimum points 68

Spring 2019 entry application selection - 125 ADN applications received for 35 seats - minimum points 75

Fall 2018 entry application selection - 140 ADN applications for 27 seats - minimum points 72 / 23 LVN to ADN applications for 3 seats - minimum points 71

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1. LVNs:  LVNs who have met all prerequisites and who have a current LVN license may apply to the LVN to ADN bridge program during an application cycle, and will be selected using the multi-criteria selection process.  LVNs may pursue one of two program options to qualify for RN licensure.  Specific information regarding these options and their different program requirements is available on this webpage:  http://www.sbcc.edu/nursing/adn/lvn_information.php.  LVN to ADNs are admitted to the program two times per year.
   

2. Transfer Nursing Students:  Students previously enrolled in a state-accredited registered nursing program within the past year and in good standing (no failed courses), may transfer into the SBCC ADN Program on a space available basis.  Transfer students must meet all SBCC ADN Program application and entrance requirements. A letter is required from the previous nursing program(s) verifying performance and placement in theoretical and clinical levels, in addition to official transcripts and course descriptions of the nursing courses taken from the catalog year that they were completed.

3. Military Personnel Credit: http://www.sbcc.edu/nursing/adn/militarypersonnelcredit.php

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It is highly recommended that you have completed all of the General Education courses required for the Associate Degree in Nursing prior to starting the program.  The list of courses are found on this webpage:   https://catalog.sbcc.edu/academic-departments/nursing/nursing-rn-adn-as/

A student does not need to have taken courses at SBCC prior to applying to the ADN program.  (Please note that the 12 units of SBCC coursework required for graduation will be met by the coursework taken while in the nursing program.)  

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