UPMC St. Margaret SON Questions

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2006

Hi, I applied at St. Margaret's earlier this year. The application process is pretty similar to most schools, application, transcripts (high school and college), essay, and two references. After all of the above has been received you may schedule the pre-admissions test, which is the TEAS. It tested reading, english, math, and science. The pre-admission's test is fairly basic, only thing that made it tough (to me) was the fact we could not use a calculator (however, you are provided with scratch paper). The reading and science weren't bad, and the science was mainly just reading graphs and drawing conclusions. To be considered for admission, you must score in the 50th percentile overall as well as scoring in the 50th percentile in the math category. Upon taking the exam, you will find out your scores right away (you take it on-line). Your scores are then added to your file, which is reviewed by the admissions committee who will then decide if they want you to come in for an interview. I was called in for an interview, and there wasn't much to it. It was as if they had all ready decided they were going to accept me. Unfortunately, St. Margaret only accepts 45 students (R.N.) twice a year (June and Feb), and even though I applied months before June, I was told the class was full, and I would have to wait a year for the next class. That is not something I wanted to do, so St. Margaret's recommended I check out their "sister" school Shadyside, which normally accepts 100 students twice a year. Although late compared to most students in getting started on the application process, I did have time to get everything in at Shadyside, and will be starting there next month. Before you apply to St. Margaret's I would ask them if the class you are trying to get into is all ready full, as I was under the impression they fill up their classes very quickly (it was Feb '06 when I was interviewed, June '06 was full, and Feb of '07 class was all ready a third full).

Good luck in your nursing journey,

Noel Christine :specs:

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2006

Catlover, check out this thread about St. Margaret's: https://allnurses.com/forums/f170/upmc-st-margaret-school-nursing-138340.html (post #6 could be especially helpful)

Catlover2 · Jul 25, 2006

NoelChristine~

Thank you very much for your informative reply. When I called St. Margaret's to inquire about the program the woman who answered the phone told me to hurry up and send in my application because they were already half full. I didn't know that they only accepted 45 students twice a year. I am going to call the school tomorrow and see what I can find out.

As for the entrance exam, is there anything in particular that you think I should focus on? Did you use the TEAS study guide?

Good luck at Shadyside!! I hear good things about their program.

Catlover2 · Jul 25, 2006

Thanks for supplying the link. I did a search and read that thread before it had been updated. A lot to think about.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

I did use the TEAS guide, and I focused mainly on math because that is what they look at the most. My score in math was in the 80 some percentile (they require at least a 50 percentile placement). When they saw my math score, they said I would be getting an interview very soon.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 28, 2006

Good luck to you!

Catlover2 · Jul 28, 2006

Thank you NoelChristine. I will start concentrating my studies on the math section.

NRSKARENRN, Thank you as well. I will be sure to keep the board up to date on my quest to becoming a nurse!

K98 · Aug 8, 2006

Catlover,

You might want to look into Citizen's in New Ken and West Penn in Bloomfield (wpahs.org).

kawos01 · Aug 8, 2006

how about ccac? they have four campuses around the pittsburgh area north south boyce and of course the main campus

Catlover2 · Aug 9, 2006

Thanks, I will look into some of the other Pittsburgh programs. I took my pre-reqs at CCAC and I am not particularily fond of CCAC. Community would be a last resort for me. It's a long story, but that is just my personal opinion.

tookewlandy · Aug 9, 2006

I start nursing at CCBC(beaver county) this fall. They accept 100 students each year. i am in Microbiology right now with alot of students going into their second year and they say that it is not that bad, that the teachers are tough but fair and that if you study hard and do what you are suppose to do then you will have no problems. i know alot of people are from Allegheny county, i live in moon, so i guess if your looking it would Be worth checking out. We will do our clinicals at the medical cente rin beaver to start, and then a few of the sudents told me something about childrens in the second year, and some other pittsburgh hospitals.