What UMSON Looks for in MSN-E Applicants
As you prepare to apply to nursing schools, it is crucial to understand the qualities that admissions committees seek in prospective students. If you are planning to apply to the Master of Science in Nursing Entry-into-Nursing (MSN-E) program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), this guide will help you understand what makes a competitive applicant.
Showcasing these qualities in your application demonstrates your readiness for UMSON’s MSN-E program and your potential to become an exceptional nurse.
I. Core Values
UMSON values excellence, lifelong learning, and service to others. We seek students whose values align with our mission, both in their personal lives and professional endeavors. Specifically, we look for applicants who embody:
- Respect and Integrity – Upholding ethical standards and treating others with dignity
- Well-Being and Sustainability – Promoting holistic health and sustainable practices
- Equity and Justice – Advocating for fairness in health care
- Innovation and Discovery – Encouraging new ideas and advancements in nursing practice
Why It’s Important:
Shared values ensure that you receive a comprehensive education that aligns with the type of nurse you aspire to become. In addition to learning technical nursing skills, you will develop the ability to serve your community with compassion and professionalism.
How You Can Show It:
Use your application materials to highlight how your values align with ours. Share specific examples that demonstrate your commitment to these principles.
II. Experience
Nursing requires a combination of leadership, community involvement, and diverse experiences. We look for applicants who demonstrate:
- Leadership Qualities
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- What We Look For: The ability to guide teams, advocate for patients, and take initiative in health care settings.
- Why It’s Important: Strong leadership ensures you can collaborate effectively, make informed decisions, and support both patients and colleagues.
- How You Can Show It: Highlight leadership roles in academic projects, work environments, or community organizations.
- Community Engagement
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- What We Look For: A commitment to service and an understanding of diverse populations.
- Why It’s Important: Nurses work within diverse communities, so experience in community service enhances your ability to connect with and serve patients.
- How You Can Show It: Include community service projects, volunteer work, or initiatives demonstrating your dedication to helping others.
- Educational Background
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- What We Look For: Consistent enrollment in multiple courses each semester, with demonstrated improvement over time.
- Why It’s Important: It indicates the ability to handle the academic load of UMSON’s MSN-E program.
- How You Can Show It: Highlight any challenges you overcame in your academic journey and provide context for any course withdrawals or repeats in your personal statement.
- Experience with Diverse Populations
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- What We Look For: Ability to work with individuals, families, andcommunities with different backgrounds, values, and health practices.
- Why It’s Important: Cultural competence is essential in nursing to provide equitable and effective care.
- How You Can Show It: Share experiences that demonstrate your ability to engage with diverse groups in academic, professional, or volunteer settings.
- Scholarly Experience
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- What We Look For: Participation in research projects, presentations, or academic publications.
- Why It’s Important: Nurses play a role in advancing knowledge and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice.
- How You Can Show It: Include research involvement, grants, or scholarly projects in your application.
- Caregiving
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- What We Look For: Formal or informal experiences caring for others.
- Why It’s Important: Nursing is centered on patient care, and caregiving experience provides a strong foundation for this role.
- How You Can Show It: Highlight personal, volunteer, or professional caregiving experiences.
III. Personal Attributes
Strong personal qualities enable nurses to build trust with patients and provide compassionate, effective care. UMSON values applicants who demonstrate:
- Organizational Skills
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- What We Look For: The ability to manage time, responsibilities, and deadlines efficiently.
- Why It’s Important: Nursing students must balance coursework, clinicals, and personal commitments.
- How You Can Show It: Submit a complete and timely application and highlight experiences that showcase time management skills.
- Grit and Accountability
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- What We Look For: Resilience, responsibility, and adaptability in academic and professional settings.
- Why It’s Important: Nursing is demanding, and perseverance is crucial for success.
- How You Can Show It: Provide examples of how you address challenges, maintain accountability, and adapt to change.
- Intellectual Curiosity
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- What We Look For: A passion for learning and continuous growth in nursing practice.
- Why It’s Important: Intellectual curiosity drives nurses to seek evidence-based solutions and improve patient care.
- How You Can Show It: Share how your curiosity has led you to explore new ideas, research, or innovations in health care.
- Adaptability
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- What We Look For: The ability to adjust to changing environments and patient needs.
- Why It’s Important: Health care is dynamic, requiring quick thinking and flexibility.
- How You Can Show It: Provide examples of times you successfully adapted to new challenges or changes.
IV. Academic Metrics
A strong academic foundation is essential for success in the MSN-E program.
- GPA and Coursework
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- What We Look For: A competitive cumulative GPA (minimum 3.0) with strong performance in science courses.
- Why It’s Important: This demonstrates your academic preparedness for rigorous coursework. We strongly recommend that you consider repeating science courses in which you earned lower grades to strengthen your academic foundation and improve your overall science GPA.
- How You Can Show It: Submit official transcripts that highlight academic achievements. Maintain a competitive GPA and complete prerequisite courses.
- Accountability
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- What We Look For: A track record of responsibility and reliability in academics and beyond.
- Why It’s Important: Nurses must be accountable for their actions and patient care decisions.
- How You Can Show It: Demonstrate consistency in academic performance and work experiences requiring responsibility.