A Little Less Alone
Thank you for the article “Grade Expectations” that was in the winter 2004 edition of Portraits . I am a graduate of the nursing program (1997).

I have found in my nursing practice that I was infinitely more prepared for the job than many of my colleagues were. I have always felt grateful to Saint Anselm for the quality education I received while
studying there. I graduated with what I consider a respectable GPA of 2.76.

A year ago I applied to a masters in nursing program at University of California, San Francisco. The school is near where I live and have been working. I did not get in.

When I spoke with an adviser at the school I was told that despite having excellent references, a highly competitive GRE score, and extensive clinical experience, the one thing that kept me out was my GPA. They simply do not accept anyone with an undergrad GPA of less than 3.0.

I felt at the time that this was very narrow minded of the school, and have been pursuing additional coursework in my field to “prove” what kind of work I am capable of doing.

I do plan to apply to another MSN program but probably not one in California. At least in New England, Saint Anselm is a school that is recognized for its excellence.

Reading your article made me feel a little more justified and a little less alone.

Don’t change St. A’s, we’ll get the world to see that your way is better.

—Briana M. Posanka (O'toole) ’97

Grade Anti-Inflation
I just received the winter 2004 edition of Portraits. I particularly enjoyed the article on grade anti-inflation and am so pleased that you continue to hold the line and value grading integrity. Keep up the good work!

—Jane Richter, ’72 Dr.P.H., R.N.,BSN

Soul of the Institution
It is said that the perception is often the reality. The objective reality is that Saint Anselm College delivers a quality education that is demanding of its students. This is as it should be. The student body, however, seems to perceive the institution as “St. C’s” as noted in your last edition. This popular perception implies that a student must succeed in spite of the institution rather than because of it. Grades and not a multifaceted growth of the individual become the focal point of the college experience. If that perception becomes the “reality,” then the college has lost the institutional soul that generations of Anselmians came
to understand. If this perception becomes the “reality,” what profit does Saint Anselm College derive if it gains the accolades of the whole world for its perfect bell shaped curve and loses the spirit that made it great. Maybe there is some work to do.

—Gerald J. Power ’65