Case Western Reserve vs University of Minnesota vs University of Iowa

College Majors Nursing Major
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1

My daughter got into these Universities as direct admit BSN student (Nursing). Looking for some advice? Which University should she select and why?

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Is there a major difference in net cost? Are all 3 within budget?
Case Western Reserve would offer private school amenities in a nice urban neighborhood.
UMN is in a metropolis. UIOwa is in a college town.

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All those are great nursing schools. The student should choose based on location preference, cost of attendance, other individual needs. But strictly on reputation/worth they are all excellent schools.

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Agree with the others. I’d go with affordability first and then fit.

Congrats to your D on her acceptances!

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I do know that UMN is very good, and very convenient. I can only assume that CWRU is excellent given it’s reputation in Health care. It’s hard to beat as a job market, if there are thoughts of staying afterwards.

6

All are great. Go to the one that is the cheapest.

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How much does cost differ and matter?

NCLEX pass rate?

Weed-out policies:

8

Thank you so much. As far as academic rigour, are all three programs similar? I know that BSN students are expected to work hard plus they also have to do their clinicals. Is their a difference on how competitive the students are and how hard is it to attain good grades? For example an Engineering student at Cal Berkeley is not the same as a student attending Boston University. Any advice?

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Do you happen to know if their is a difference between the three programs as far as rigour? I do not want my daughter to study all the time. I would like her to also have time to join a couple of clubs, go out with friends, perhaps go to some sport events?

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Nursing is pretty standard and is difficult everywhere, but it doesn’t mean students can’t have fun on weekends.
If she’s really into big spectator sports such as football and hockey, UMN would be better.
However it’s HUGE so if she wants a more personalized environment, CWRU would be better. The fun involves music, going out with friends to restaurants, lots of typical college activities including intramurals, but not so much spectator sports.
And if she wants a college town with sports, a large university and large classes but still not as huge as UMN, U Iowa.

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No, not really. FWIW, S2 had similar concerns, and chose MN Engineering because it didn’t have as much of a rep as a “grind” school, compared to some others. No idea about Nursing. if I had to guess, then Iowa would be a bit less rigorous.
MN is fairly big, but IMO it feels smaller, as the campus is split into the East bank, West bank, and St. Paul. Nursing would bemainly on the East bank which would be clustered together with almost all of the sciences, and some of the arts building. Also a 5-10 minute walk to dorms, the Village, and a 10-15 minute walk to the athletic venues. An LRT line giving access to airports, Downtown, St. Paul, etc. is right outside the door of the medical buildings.
I wouldn’t call U of MN a “party” school, at least compared to some others, but there is certainly plenty of things to do, and plenty of people to socialize with.

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The overall rigor for the nursing curriculum should be about the same. However, they might be differences in distribution requirements and AP policies. One program might give you more freedom for electives and/or have a better AP policy that allows for a lighter semester. Have your daughter look into it. That doesn’t make the program more rigorous but it might be better suited to your daughter’s interests.

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Nursing Instructor here.

How much she has to study depends on how easily she can apply and retain knowledge.

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