Three Sisters, Three Different Transfer Paths, All Saving Through PSEO

April 01, 2025

Emily, Sophie and Anna Carlson all graduated from Blaine High School. While attending high school, each pursued the opportunity to enroll in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) at Anoka-Ramsey. Through the program, they took college-level courses - both online and on-campus courses - and earned college credits while in high school.

Benefits of PSEO

In the years following their time at Anoka-Ramsey, the sisters took separate paths toward their goals to earn bachelor’s degrees. Still, all agreed the financial gain of PSEO has helped lay the groundwork for their success. In addition to financial benefits, gaining college- level academic and social experience before graduating from high school helped set them apart. Sophie adds, “It was helpful to get a head start and to have college experience before starting the four-year college I attended. I’d recommend that everyone consider enrolling in PSEO.”

The sisters’ mother, Jill Carlson, is also a proponent of PSEO programs. “There were mixed messages going around the high school about PSEO and whether the credits would transfer seamlessly to the four-year schools. Once we spoke with the Anoka-Ramsey academic advisors, they assured us that the generals would transfer, and they were right,” she said. “Our kids saved thousands of dollars by choosing PSEO and everything transferred to the various types of universities they each chose to attend. PSEO is a fantastic option.”

Where are they now?

Emily, the oldest of the sisters, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Winona State University in 2019. Because of her PESO credits, she could take fewer classes towards the end of her studies and focus on work. She now works as a pediatric nurse.

Sophie now lives in Denver where she works as a pediatric speech- language pathologist. She used her PSEO credits to complete her bachelor’s degree early, allowing her to get a jump start on her master’s degree. Sophie completed both degrees from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Anna graduated from high school in 2022 and currently attends University of St. Thomas where she is set to graduate this spring. Although she was able complete her undergraduate degree in on an accelerated timeline — within three years — she was still able to study one semester abroad in Rome. She has plans to continue her education by pursuing a master of physician assistant studies.
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This feature appeared in the 2025 Anoka-Ramsey Community Newsletter. View a full PDF version of this story and additional pieces.