Direct Entry Programs Illinois/Wisconsin

[MME20]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum and considering applying to direct entry nursing programs in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. However, I'm not sure if I would be considered a competitive applicant. I have a BS in psych with minors in history and sociology. My undergrad GPA was a 3.4 and I have As/Bs in the prerequisite courses. During college, I was involved in a lot of undergraduate research. More specifically, I assisted with equine assisted therapy for at risk kids and worked in a lab studying nonpharmalogical interventions for MCI/Alzheimer's. Following graduation, I was hired full time as the assistant lab manager for the Memory & Aging Lab at my university. Most recently, I worked with early stage memory loss at the Alzheimer's Association. I also have work experience my sophomore year of college as a caregiver in a memory unit at an assisted living facility. For my recommendations, I have a professor of neuropsychology, a professor of human development, and a supervisor with an MSW.

I know these programs can be very competitive and I'm also aware that my GPA isn't stellar. Do you think I have a chance of getting into a direct entry program or should I look into getting an RN through a community college first?

The schools I'm interested in applying to this cycle are University of Illinois Chicago, Rush University, DePaul & Marquette. University of Milwaukee is a possibility, but I would have to go back to take more classes and with my husband in med school, I'm trying to save as much money as possible!

Thank you in advance for your honest replies! I've had a little difficulty finding class profiles online to know where I would rank as an applica

[AccelCNL, MSN, RN]

I would apply to the programs anyway because you never know. There is another program in your area. I considered applying to Elmhurst College. However, I decided to attend the program at Saint Louis University. Your GPA isn't terrible. I got into two program ( I only applied to 2) without having a perfect undergrad GPA or only As in me prereqs. If you feel like to you want to have backup then apply to traditional programs as well. But don't automatically think that you will not be considered.

If you are interested the link is : Elmhurst College: Nursing Master's Entry