NursingCAS Instructions

NursingCAS Application Instructions

Tips for submitting your application

• NursingCAS has an extensive Help Center with both written and video tutorials to help assist with completing the application.  
• Use an email address you check regularly. NU students are required to use their NU email address. 
• The application deadline is 8:59pm PST on January 31. We recommend you do not wait until right before the deadline to submit your application, as the NursingCAS website may experience delays due to high internet traffic near the cutoff time.

Accessing the NU Nursing Application 

• Navigate to NursingCAS. Choose the fall term and the year you plan to start the nursing program, then click “Apply”. Be sure to check your junk or spam folder for the confirmation email and mark NursingCAS as a safe sender.
• To find the Northwest University application, click “Add a Program,” search for “Northwest University,” and select “BSN (Pre-Licensure).” Click the blue “+” to add it to your application.
• Click the “My Application” tab to begin completing your application.

Components of the Application

Personal Information

• The information requested in all seven sections is required by NursingCAS and is standard across all schools that use the platform. Make sure you click “save and continue” at the bottom of each section.
• Ensure your contact information is accurate – all communication from the Buntain School of Nursing about your application will be sent to the email address listed on your application. 

Academic History

This is the most time-consuming and detailed section. For additional resources, visit the NursingCAS Applicant Help Center and watch the Transcript Entry video. 

Complete all 4 sections in this area.

• Colleges Attended: click “Add a College” and input every college or university you have attended, including Running Start, study abroad, or dual-enrollment programs. For each institution, answer all required questions.
  • You must input every institution which you have attended and provide a transcript for each. NursingCAS will reject your application if coursework from an unlisted institution is entered or if a required transcript is missing. 
• Order official electronic transcripts from every institution you attended. 
• Transcript Entry: input every course exactly as it appears on your transcript, including repeated courses. We recommend having a copy of your unofficial transcript visible during this step to ensure courses are correctly entered. NursingCAS will reject an application if the transcript entry does not match the transcript. 
• Use of the Professional Transcript Entry (PTE) service is not recommended, as it can significantly delay your application. If you choose to use this paid feature, allow at least one additional month for NursingCAS to complete this process.
• Please note:
  • You are still responsible for ordering and submitting official transcripts—NursingCAS does not do this for you.
  • Any missed deadlines or delays due to PTE are the applicant’s responsibility.
  • Once PTE is complete, you must log in and approve the coursework before your application can be submitted.

Supporting Information

• The “Achievements” section is not required for the Buntain School of Nursing. To skip it, click “I Am Not Adding Any Achievements”.
• Nursing experience is not required to apply. However, if you have relevant work or volunteer experience, include it in the “Experiences” section. To add experiences, go to the “Experiences” section and click “Add an Experience”. Choose one or more of the following Experience Types: 
  • Employment - Non-healthcare jobs (e.g., retail, food service).
  • Patient/Healthcare Experience - Work or volunteer roles involving patient interaction (e.g., CNA, hospital volunteer).
  • Community Enrichment - Volunteer roles outside of healthcare (e.g., animal shelter, youth mentoring programs).
• Complete all fields: Organization, Supervisor, Dates, and Experience Details. Save and continue.
• Licensures and certifications are not required to apply. However, if you have health-related licenses, such as CNA, NAC, LPN, MA, etc., please list them in this section.

Program Materials

• Start by reviewing the Home tab, then complete the remaining tabs: Questions, Documents, and Prerequisites.
• In the Questions section, read each question carefully and answer accurately. Incorrect responses may affect your eligibility. 
• In the Documents section, upload the signed and dated Statement of Understanding and Agreement to Support the Mission, Vision and Purpose. 
• In the Prerequisites section, use the Assign Course button to match your courses to the required prerequisites. 

Submitting Your Application

• Navigate to “Submit Application” on the top of the page and pay the application fee. The deadline is 8:59pm PST on January 31.
• We recommend submitting your application several hours before the deadline, as the NursingCAS website may experience delays due to high internet traffic near the cutoff time.

After Submitting Your Application 

• If you do not complete all requirements by the deadlines, your admission may be revoked.
• By mid-February you will be notified if you qualify for an asynchronous virtual interview. This is the second and last stage of the application process. Details are sent to the email you have on file with NursingCAS, and you must participate to complete the application process.
• Wait. We typically send admissions decisions by the beginning of April. Please continue to monitor your email as we will also reach out to address issues or questions on your application throughout the review.
• Applications are reviewed in the following order:
  • Traditional Kirkland Campus in-seat students.
  • Transfer students.
• A waitlist is created for additional qualified students.
  • The waitlist does not carry over to the next year; students must complete a new application for the next year. 
  • Waitlisted students are notified as space becomes available.
• The rationale behind any individual admissions decision is not available for disclosure.
• Please note that admission is provisional and depends on the following: successful completion of all prerequisite courses, fulfillment of all general requirements by the end of the semester before the program starts, completion of any program-related summer requirements, and meeting all onboarding and compliance deadlines.