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YOUR NURSING ROADMAP — AUGUST 17, 2026
Meeting the minimum requirements lets you apply. Points decide how you rank.
APPLICATION POINTS
Do You Know How Your Nursing Application Will Be Scored?
You checked the prerequisites. You meet the minimum GPA. You meet the minimum TEAS score.
But do you know how the nursing program will actually score your application?
Many California ADN programs use a point system to rank eligible applicants. Meeting the minimum requirements allows you to apply, but the points you earn can determine how you rank among other applicants.
That's why we recommend reviewing each program's Multi-Criteria Worksheet as soon as you know which schools you're interested in, ideally while you're still completing your prerequisites.
Try to do this at least one semester before you plan to apply. That gives you time to identify opportunities to earn more points, whether that means taking an additional course, improving your TEAS score, gaining healthcare or volunteer experience, or completing another requirement that the program awards points for.
Find the Program's Multi-Criteria Worksheet
Go to the nursing program's website and look for its Multi-Criteria Worksheet or point breakdown.
Depending on the program, points may come from:
- Science prerequisite GPA
- TEAS score
- Additional courses
- Healthcare or volunteer experience
- Previous degrees
- Language proficiency
- Life experiences or special circumstances
Look closely at how points are awarded within each category.
What science GPA earns the most points? What TEAS score puts you in a higher point range? Are there additional courses you could complete for points? Do you already qualify for points from healthcare experience or another category?
The goal is not only to meet the requirements, but to understand how you're being scored while you still have time to take action and earn more points before you apply.
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