U of MN or St. Catherine's MSN program?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

Updated:   Published

Hi all,

I am in great turmoil. I tried to get into the University of MN's Entry-Level Master's program and failed. I feel defeated. I am now trying to get into the Entry-Level Master's program at St. Catherine's. I have people telling me not to settle and to try again next year at the U of MN and people telling me to go to St. Catherine's. I like St. Catherine's cause it is small, personal and friendly. I hate that the U is big and sees you as a number because there are so many people that want to go there - they don't need you. The problem is that the U has the clout and the prestige and the name. So my question is do I do all the hard work and try to get accepted to the U, which may be all for nothing or do I just go for St. Catherine's. I don't want to regret any decisions. Not trying for the U of MN means more time with my small kids but less prestige. If I go for the U of MN, I have to study and take the GRE, volunteer, take another class and perhaps get a CNA job. I don't have to do anything else for admittance into the St. Catherine's program. Does one school over another matter that much? What would you do?

@Tao Vang Hello, I just wanted to tell you I feel you! The GRE was hard for me. I ended up scoring average for all except math-I was low in that area.  I had similar GPA to you. I was discouraged and thought I wouldn't get into the UMN MN program because of my GRE scores. I was accepted to St. Kates and almost decided to go there over applying to UMN, despite the U being my first choice. Self doubt is real when applying to schools! Short of the long, I decided that I should go for it and applied to the U, I was accepted and am now in my second semester. I truly believe that they when they say they want a well rounded candidate who is passionate about nursing they mean it. I think they looked to see if I had taken the GRE (remember-they don't have a minimum score!), saw that my GPA met requirements, and focused on my essay and experience. If you can, try to focus less on your grades and scores and more on why you want to be a nurse! Your grades are great! And average on GRE is great! You got this! Apply and trust in the awesomeness of you!

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@lhanka, thank you so for sharing your experience, it is very encouraging. The UMN is my first choice, so I'm really trying to get a good GRE score. When did you hear back regarding your acceptance? I'm applying for St. Kate's right now so if I get accepted they would start next Spring 2022, but since I'm applying to the UMN this fall as well, if I also get accepted, I would need to let St. Kate's know that I won't be going. 

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@Tao Vang I found out about St Kates in August 2019 then applied to the U in October 2019. I found out I was interviewing for the U in January 2020. Then one month later I was informed I had been excepted. I had to bet on myself that I would get into the U, and if I didn't, I would give it a go the following year as St Kates started in January 2020. I knew that my heart was in the U in November 2019, so I emailed them that I would not be attending. I am proud that I bet on myself, and not just because it worked out. I remember thinking in November, if I didn't shoot for my top choice, I would always wonder if I made a mistake by going with my second because I already had the offer. St. Kates is an amazing school! Truly! For me and my family ( I have two young children), the shorter duration, credits towards DNP and having the program be during the day was important and was a big factor in my decision to decline and shoot for the U. I hope this helps! I can't stress enough how great the MN and MSN programs are in the twin cities-go with your heart and put your heart into your essay. As nerve wracking as this all is, try to make take the time to evaluate what is right for you-AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! You got this!

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@lhanka, I would love to chat more, but I am not able to send private messages yet, is there another way I can contact you? Thank you

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@Tao Vang are you able to see mine?

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@lhanka Yes, I just can't reply

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