For high-achieving high school seniors

Are you a high-achieving high school senior? If so, MSU invites you to apply to the Nurse Scholar Program.

The Nurse Scholar Program gives high-performing students the opportunity to earn conditional admission into the College of Nursing straight out of high school.

Admission criteria:
You are invited to apply to the Nurse Scholars Program if you are a high school senior and meet the following criteria:

• Cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.8 (unweighted) on a 4.0 scale or 4.75 (weighted) on a 5.0 scale
• ACT composite score of 28 or SAT of 1240 (test score submissions optional)

Once accepted into the Nurse Scholar Program, you must meet these academic conditions to maintain your seat in the BSN program:

• Complete the required prerequisite courses in the first year of attendance
• Attend planned Nurse Scholar Cohort meetings
• Enroll in NUR 220: Introduction to Nursing Scholarship and earn a grade of 2.5 or higher (First Semester)
• Enroll in NUR 221: Future of Nursing: Explore Potential Career Opportunities and Graduate Education and earn a grade of 2.5 or higher (Second Semester)
• Earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in each science prerequisite course
• Maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) that is provided in the letter of agreement the student signs with the College of Nursing (currently 3.4)

Benefits of the Nurse Scholar Program:

• Guaranteed seat in Traditional BSN program upon successful completion of the outlined program requirements
• No Application to the Traditional BSN program required
• Opportunity to participate in undergraduate research experience with Nursing faculty
• Special workshops and meetings for Nurse Scholar students only

How to apply:

Students applying for the Nurse Scholar Program must:

Apply to MSU
Prospective Nurse Scholar students must apply to the university under the pre-nursing preference via the standard freshman application process.

Apply to the College of Nursing via supplemental application (see button at right)

Prospective students must apply to the College of Nursing prior to their initial enrollment at MSU in order to be considered for acceptance to a future fall cohort.

It is strongly recommended that students complete the application in one sitting. Please have the following materials ready before beginning the application:

• Nurse Scholar Admissions Essay: This will be uploaded into the application as either a PDF or Word document.
  • Criteria/prompt: Your essay should be no longer than two double spaced pages (8 1/2 X 11) and should address the following topics:
    1. What is your understanding of the role of a nurse in today’s healthcare environment? And how do you envision yourself embodying those roles?
    2. Why are you interested in the Nurse Scholar Program at MSU?
    3. The personal characteristics, experiences, and abilities that you possess that will enhance your ability to succeed in the Nurse Scholar Program.
• Resume: This will be uploaded into the application as either a PDF for Word document
• Proof of GPA: provide a signed letter or statement from your high school administration indicating that you have an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or higher or a weighted GPA of 4.75 or higher (This can typically be provided to you from your high school guidance counselor). This will be uploaded into the application as either a PDF for Word document
• Two Professional References: You will provide a current email address, which will automatically generate the reference form to be sent to your reference

Your references can be current or former teachers, coaches, mentors, employers, volunteer supervisors, etc. References should NOT be a family member or friend.