Montana Tech Nursing Scholars Edge Program- (A Direct Entry Option for Montana High School Students)

Leverage your high school accomplishments. Earn clinical placement early.

The Nursing Scholar's Edge Direct Entry Program is a direct entry opportunity that selects top Montana high school seniors every year from a pool of qualified applicants. These incoming freshmen secure clinical spots in the Sherry Lesar School of Nursing. Earning a seat in the clinical program is a competitive process for students who don’t have the Nursing Scholar's Edge Program advantage.

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is a test administered to gain admission into the clinical portion of nursing schools. At Montana Tech, your exam score is factored into your application, along with your select GPA. Your select GPA is based on certain MT Tech pre-nursing classes. The TEAS exam is known for being a difficult test, and low scores can often be a roadblock to clinical placement.

By applying and being selected for one of the 25 Nursing Scholar's Edge Program spots, the student needs to maintain a 3.5 grade point average in pre-nursing coursework in order to enroll in the clinical portion of the nursing program. Program participants get to bypass one of the major hurdles to clinical selection: the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam.

Nursing Scholar's Edge Direct Entry Applications are available from September 1st through January 15th. The Nursing Scholar’s Edge Direct Entry application can be found on a students Montana Tech PURL (personal URL) sometimes called a student portal. If the student meets the high school GPA requirements the Nursing Direct Entry tab can be accessed. A student will gain access to a MT Tech PURL once they have applied for admission to Montana Tech.

If a student does not know their PURL address, please navigate to https://iam.mtech.edu/inquiryform and enter just their email address. The system will redirect you to the PURL. Please contact the Admissions office if you have difficulties or questions. Phone: 406-496-4791 Email: admissions@mtech.edu

Top Montana high school seniors selected
3.5 or higher GPA required
Secure clinical spot without TEAS exam
Student Testimonials
Kieyrah Killoy listens to a dummy in the nursing simulation lab with a stethescope.
Kieyrah Killoy

Kieyrah Killoy thought she had no chance of getting into the Nursing Scholars Edge Direct Entry Program, but the application was easy to complete, and being a part of the program helped jumpstart her career.

Read Kieyrah's story.
Darby Perrenoud
Darby Perrenoud

See how the Nursing Scholars Edge Program gave Darby Perrenoud, a native of the tiny town of Lima, Montana, an advantage.

Read Darby's story.
Emaleigh Packer works in the nursing simulation lab
Emaleigh Packer

Emaleigh Packer of Deer Lodge says the Nursing Scholars Edge Program took the stress out of her course load.

Read Emaleigh's story.
Application & Promotional Materials
student charting
Apply to Nursing Scholar's Edge Direct Entry Program.

Nursing Scholar's Edge Direct Entry Applications are available from September 1st through January 15th.

Make sure your general application is complete.

You must first be admitted to Montana Technological University to be eligible for the Nursing Scholars Edge Program.

Fill out university's application.
a nursing student takes blood pressure
Download the program flyer.

Feel free to print our program flyer and distribute in your community!

Access downloadable file.
Connect with us.

We'll answer your questions and help you get started.

nursing@mtech.edu
Send an email.