<p>Hey guys! I am currently a senior attending a Public California high school. I’m having a lot of trouble deciding between colleges. Here is a little background information:
So far i have been accepted to Gonzaga University and into their nursing program, with a large amount of merit aid. I have also been accepted to the University of Portland’s school of nursing with a large amount of aid. I applied to both Seattle and the University of San Francisco regular decision, so i have to wait until March for those school. But, assuming i get accepted, those will also be on the list. All of these colleges have outstanding, direct entry nursing programs, which is great! Other colleges i applied to were San Diego State and San Francisco state, both of which i have already been accepted into pre-nursing. The problem with these schools is that they are not direct entry, as the other private schools i listed above are. This means i would have to take pre-requisite nursing courses my freshman and sophomore years, and then reapply to the school’s nursing program in which they will take into account the grades i earned in these classes, as well as volunteer and internship hours. This would be stressful, and i do not particularly want to experience the dreadful application process over again. Lastly, being a California resident i applied to four UC’s. However, my top 2 are UC Irvine (nursing program) and UCSB (because it has been my dream school since 8th grade…but things change).
Now, thankfully money is not an issue, due to the huge amount of merrit aid i have received. The cost of attending Gonzaga and Portland would be the price of me attending a California state school (ex: San Diego State, or San Francisco state). UC’s are the most expensive so far, and hopefully after my FASFA, they will be reasonable.
So now that you have some background, i want to discuss my top five choices so far, and why.
- Gonzaga University: Defiantly high on my list right now! I like the fact that the school has a direct entry nursing program. I really like the fact that it seems very athletic (big soccer player and sports fan), i like that the school is not so oriented around nursing, as many of the other private colleges are. Instead, the nursing program is smaller, making it more diverse in the different majors. I like so much about this school! The only negative that i have with it right now, is the location. I am a real California girl. I love the beaches, and the amazing whether here. This is ultimately where i want to work and live. So, i think i would not be a huge fan of the freezing cold, snowing winters (which is the majority of the school year). Also going to school in Spokane, WA may give me connections there. However, as i said i ultimately want to live and work in CA and i am afraid it will be hard to transfer back over here with an out of state license, etc.
- Seattle University: Again, i love that this is a direct entry nursing program. The fact that it is in a city is also good for me, because there will be a lot of hospitals around, giving me many options for volunteer, and internship experience. Overall, may be a little stronger nursing program. Probably less harsh winters than Spokane, and i have family only 20 minutes away! Negatives i see are that it is a known nursing students, meaning a large population of the students on campus are nurses. I would prefer a more diversified student body. Also, i am not really used to a big city, as i grew up in a small town, so right now a little intimidated (although i’m sure i would grow to love it in time)
- University of Portland: So, this school was never on my list until i went to visit it and fell in love with the campus! I love the brick style buildings that gave the feeling of upstate New York/back east (lots of family back there). Positives would be a very well recognized, strong, nursing program and again direct entry. Also, i like Oregon and i heard the downtown city of Portland is really nice (really bummed i didn’t have time to go down there). Negatives are the large nursing population at the school [also leading to a slanted boy/girl ration] and maybe some older buildings. Oh and not as sports oriented as, say, Gonzaga.
- San Diego State: Pros of this school are that it has a nursing program, and it’s in SAN DIEGO!! I love San Diego, it is one of my favorite places ever. I defiantly want to stay in California if i can and i really love Southern California. San Diego is probably where i want to live when i’m older so it would help to have connections in the area for jobs and such. Cons: It is not direct entry, so i would have to reapply after two years and i might not get in. Also, it is a state school, which are usually not as recognized.
- UCSB: Well i used to always want to go here. I love Santa Barbara and the school is absolutely amazing. I love the fact that it’s on the beach, and it has such a relaxed environment (as relaxed an environment as college can be at least). I also do like to have some fun, so SB would be good for that. Cons: It has no nursing program. Although i am not 100% sure i want to major in nursing, i am about 94% sure. And there are no majors besides nursing that i particularly want to do. Not to mention the fact, i would much rather go into college with a specific goal and plan, because if i do not i feel it might be easier to lose sight of what i am there for. Another con is that UCSB might be too much of a party school for me.
Please let me know if you have any advice or feedback on these schools! It doesn’t have to be my top five, it can be any of the schools i named. Do you think any are better nursing schools than others, or can you tell me about the student body/environment of each of the schools?! Thank you so much for any feedback!!!</p>
<p>please help me. i am so confused right now!!</p>
<p>USF ! If you like the city</p>
<p>Which nursing program has the best reputation:
University of Portland, Gonzaga University, or San Diego State?</p>
<p>Have you taken into consideration out of state nursing licenses? Going out if state might not be a good idea if you can’t get certified in California.</p>
<p>USF has an amazing nursing program.</p>
<p>USF is building the Lo Schiavo Science Center (opening in Fall '13). Their clinical hours sit at about 700, many of which are just blocks away from the Fulton campus. ED will provide you with the most aid they have to offer. Consider that housing is not guaranteed after Soph year, and some have found housing problematic for even first year RD. You simply cannot find a more diverse city than SF, though cost of living and overall bottom line is a couple thousand more than at UPortland, which has just as nice a program, with slightly more clinical hours, though a bit further away each day. St Ignatius is an amazing structure.</p>
<p>Portland is insane for their soccer teams (women’s team esp) and is a friendlier city, hands down. UP has the Providence Scholars package, and will roll you more readily into Grad programs, though both are ranked identically for CNL, DNP. Housing is less costly and more readily available on campus all four years at UP.<br>
Seattle is a beautiful campus, and their Nursing program has really improved, especially in placement of students after grad. Housing is really nice there.
Gonzaga has the most clinical hours within their pgm (1000 by time you graduate), and is improving too. Gonzaga has the best collegiate feel. Seattle and Gonzaga are slightly less $ out the door. USF and UP are a bit more prestigious at this point, but who cares. None of these schools are going to get you through the front door at UCSF or OHSU, so find one where you can thrive with the least number of fabricated unintended consequences (such as whoops i have no housing!) and the best instruction. I can tell you that the faculty at UP is amazing, and the leadership at USF is very caring.
Boy Girl ratio at USF, UP and Seattle is virtually identical, though UP’s improved Engr Dept is evening things out.</p>
<p>forgive me, but i did not read every detail of your post. we visited gonzaga and u of portland a few years ago with my kids, looking at schools also. so, just thought i would offer their feedback - we are from san jose area. my kids did not care for the area surrounding gonzaga - it felt way too rural and midwestern to them. they much preferred portland - school and city - and I think a big part of that was that is felt more “west coast” to them (in vibe, not weather!). and portland is not as cold as gonzaga (were there end March, and it was snowing in spokane). </p>
<p>my kids really prefer the smaller school atmosphere, as there are so many advantages to small class size, getting to know your professors, no TAs, being able to get needed classes, being able to graduate in 4 years (heard CA state schools are now saying it may take 6 years??) that being able to attend U of Portland, at the same cost at SD State, is a no-brainer, in my mind - you will get a much, much better education (and experience) and much more “bang for your buck” at U of Portland than a state school. I was really, really impressed with U of Portland, though my kids choose CA private schools instead. U of Portland really seemed to care a lot about their students. But this can also be a large school vs. small school personal preference, too.</p>
<p>For a nurse, I would not think the location of the school would matter so much for future job prospects, as nurses are needed everywhere, so job opportunities would be everywhere, regardless of undergrad location.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the helpful information!!
Right now, my top two choices are Gonzaga University and University of Portland. Any ideas about these two?</p>
<p>With it now being March, and UC decisions coming out, i was thinking that UCIrvine may be an interesting choice. I’m pretty sure i won’t get in considering it has a 6% acceptance rate into the nursing program, but just out of interest, what do you guys think of their nursing program? </p>
<p>@hoopser77: I have taken that into consideration. My current plan is to come back to California to go to school to get my masters in Nursing. I’m hoping this will make it easier to transition. </p>
<p>@cecilturtle: You mentioned that “USF and UP are a bit more prestigious at this point”…do you think that if i attend University of Portland, it would be easier to get a job after graduation, compared to Gonzaga University? Or do you think they will be about the same? Also, you said, “Boy Girl ratio at USF, UP and Seattle is virtually identical, though UP’s improved Engr Dept is evening things out”…so do you think Gonzaga has a significantly better Boy/Girl Ratio than UP? Although this is not my number one concern, it still is of some importance to me. [ I am a girl by the way, if you didn’t get that haha]</p>
<p>@BayAreaCAMom: I agree, i was not a big fan of the surrounding area of Gonzaga. However, i thought the surrounding area of UP was not the best either. The campus, however, i loved! I wasn’t even really considering UP until i visited their campus and fell in love! When i visited, i unfortunately didn’t have time to go to downtown Portland. I think i am going to go back up there to do an overnight and hopefully i will have some time to explore. I am totally with you on Spokane’s whether! I am also from the bay area and i love it here. I don’t know how i am going to adjust to that cold snow. There are certain things i really love about Gonzaga but the whether is the main thing throwing me off right now. If Gonzaga was in Portland, i would be there in a minute. Also, just out of interest, what private schools in CA did your kids choose?</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the helpful information! If anyone has any other information/opinions to add i would love to hear them! It’s really hard to choose as they are all such great schools!!</p>
<p>Warning: I do not know any nursing students but I am well aquainted with Gonzaga and UP students. Both schools are wonderful. I think both have really strong nursing programs from what I have read and been told. The two glaring differences will be in student life. Gonzaga is in Spokane, a lovely and charming city but lacks any real vibrant social life for most students.</p>
<p>UP is in the heart of Portland, albiet on the hill. Students often are downtown dining, going to museums, clubs, comedy shows. Seattle is close for the occasional road trip with friends.</p>
<p>I would research a little bit to find out how each school handles placement after graduation. That may become a factor for you.</p>
<p>Best wishes, you certainly have many, many great schools to choose from.</p>
<p>Just an update:
I got into Seattle University on Monday with a really big Scholarship.
Today i heard i was wait listed for nursing at USF, so i guess i will not be going there.
I think i still like Gonzaga and University of Portland best with Seattle University at a close third.
Anyone have any new information? I’d love to hear it.</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>choosing a college is soo stressful! Anyone out there choosing between the same schools as me??</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at Gonzaga and absolutely loves it. I have never seen her happier, she has a wonderful group of friends and I love that she feels safe in the Spokane environment. She is a member of the ski club, plays intramural volleyball and basketball and there are so many clubs on campus to choose from.</p>
<p>She is a human physiology major and it’s brutal with lots of chemistry and biology. She studies hard, but feels it’s a good balance. Excellent school for the sciences and you can’t go wrong with a jesuit education. Older sister a junior at Boston College and her twin sister attends Syracuse University. No one transfers out of Gonzaga. Go bulldogs!</p>
<p>Hey elestudiante,
I’m actually looking at the exact same schools as you. My 4 choices are UW, USF, Gonzaga, and University of Portland. I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to my top 2 which are also Gonzaga and UP. I’m from the Seattle area by the way. The only reason why I didn’t apply to SU is because it’s too close to home and too urban for me, but it has a really great nursing program or so I’ve heard.
So far, I’ve been trying to compare Gonzaga and UP, and the main differences that I found are: Gonzaga has way more school spirit (sports) and has the typical college feel. While UP has better academics and a smaller (or no) party scene at all. I think both nursing programs are good (even though at Gonzaga you have to reapply to the nursing program in your junior year). UP has more nursing majors, and I think you bring up a great point that it’s better to go to a school with more varied majors so you’re not competing with so many other people with the same major. One of my really good friends go to Gonzaga and she absolutely loves it. So do all my other friends who go to Gonzaga. I think it comes down to which one will you be happiest with (I’m leaning towards Gonzaga!) Let me know what you think- can’t believe that I found someone in the exact situation as me!</p>
<p>Hey oreo2012! It’s so nice to have someone in the same position as me. I am also leaning toward Gonzaga. I am only worried about two things. One being the religious aspect because i am not really used to that. I have always gone to public school and i am not a regular church goer or anything. I am afraid that a lot of the students are going to be ahead of me in this aspect. So the fact that we have to take 6 religious classes is a negative for me. Are you religious? The other thing i don’t like is the whether. I am from CA so it is pretty much sunny here year around and i am afraid i am going to have a really hard time adjusting to the cold. At the same point, i want to experience something new. I think i am going to visit the school one more time to make a final decision. Are you going to attend GEL weekend on April 14th and 15th? I hate making decisions! haha, well i wish the best luck to you and maybe we will see each other at Gonzaga next year!!! :)</p>
<p>I hear ya…I guess I can’t really speak to the religious aspect of it because I go to a Catholic school and I am Catholic. I think we only have to take 3 semesters…? Anyways even though some people may be religious, I doubt most of them are actually practicing Catholics so that shouldn’t be a huge deal. Even though my school is Catholic, only 15% are actually Catholic and less than that actually believe in it haha.
Your second concern I totally understand. I used to think I was destined for California because of their great weather yet now I’m most likely choosing the coldest school haha I think it depends on how willing you are to spend like 4 months in freezing weather (my friend says that you’ll get used to it pretty fast) and the rest of the year in really nice hot weather. Plus you can call everyone else wimps when you go home and everyone complains that 60 degrees is cold!
Yeah I’m most likely going to GEL weekend so maybe I’ll see you there? Also have you gotten into the Gonzaga nursing program? I got my acceptance letter to Gonzaga a little over a week ago but i’m still waiting to hear back from the nursing school…</p>
<p>I actually applied to Gonzaga Early Action so i got my acceptance back in December. But my acceptance letter to nursing came about 3 weeks after i got my regular acceptance letter.
I already signed up for GEL so i am for sure going! I’m really excited about it. It should be fun. Hopefully i’ll meet you there!!</p>
<p>Oh gotcha. That’s awesome! Well yep good luck with everything :)</p>
<p>You too!! Let me know when you hear back from the school of nursing :)</p>
<p>Consider the religion classes opportunities to learn about other religions. Our son is a freshman and tells us there’s a positive spiritual/service vibe on campus, but not a religious one. We’re Catholic and think that’s perfect.</p>