The deadline to decide which school to attend is quickly approaching, and I am stuck! I’m a nursing major, and I got into both BC and UMass Amherst nursing programs. I got into UMass’s honors college as well, but not BC’s. Financially, I would be paying $20,000 to go to BC and $0 to go to UMass. I have no idea which one to choose- any help is welcomed!!
UMass would be my choice if you have to borrow any of that $20 or there’s any financial hardship at all, especially given the honors acceptance. Nice new dorms, close to science classes, zero cost. The only tip I give to BC is the various Boston Hospitals for internships, but its not like you are directly in the city so there’s a transportation issue to consider anyways, isn’t it about 10 miles outside the city?
Your cost to attend UMass is zero? I’ve never heard of that happening. Is this need based aid? I’ve known really smart people who have gone there and been in the honors college and gotten no scholarships beyond the $1700 free tuition one based on MCAS.
If your cost really is zero for UMass then you should go there. Their nursing school has a very good reputation.
@me29034 i got a 4 yr $8,000 community scholarship and the rest is need based. about $5,500 are loans and the rest are grants
@NEPatsGirl you’re right, it is still about a 45 minute train ride away from boston
The 2014 NCLEX pass rate for both schools are very good (100% for BC and 87% for UMass). UMass nursing program is ~3-times that of BC (119 vs. 35). Prestige/ranking of a school has no bearing on salary and/or hiring decisions. IMHO, the decision should boil down to fit and cost. Graduating with no debt would put you in a better position than your nursing peers with moderate to high student loan debt. Based on your post, you like both schools, so the low cost option would get my vote, especially if intend to go on to a graduate program in nursing (NP, CRNA, etc.).