Hey all!
So I was recently accepted into my top three universities, UCI for bio (I plan on transferring into nursing in my junior year), CSUF undeclared, and SDSU for nursing, but I’m having issues deciding between the three
I feel like I recieved the “golden ticket” to attend SDSU since their acceptance rate has been <10% for the past couple years and they have an exceptional nursing program, but paying for housing is what scares my parents and I the most. My parents have been having issues with their credit, and we’re afraid that we will get declined on loans.
UCI and CSUF are the best alternative since they also have a good nursing schools, and housing isn’t an issue either because I could live with my parents for the entire time. I guess my only issue is transferring into nursing, and because of the highly competitive nature, I’m reluctant to choosing this option. UCI has only a 13% admit rate for change of major students and CSUF only accepts 5-10 students each fall.
I know my parents want me to choose the latter and are willing to help in anyway they can if I do choose SDSU, but I’m not entirely sure on what I should do. It mean so much to me if anyone could offer advice/suggestions on this! Thank you so much!
(Side note: I don’t mind the drastic difference in campuses between SDSU and UCI, and I actually enjoy both scenes)
So you would be commuting to UCI or CSUF vs. living on campus? Once you start your clinicals, depending upon your commute, that might be an issue.
What is the $$ gap between UCI/CSUF and SDSU?
@Gumbymom UCI/CSUF is essentially free because my father is a veteran and is eligible for Veteran Affair benefits i.e. free college tuition for their children. SDSU’s tuition would also be free, but housing is about $12k per year after pell & state grant.
With the acceptance rates for UCI and CSUF Nursing as a non-direct being so low, I would lean towards SDSU. You can take out $5500 in loans as a Freshman, $6500 as a Sophomore and $7500 as Junior and Senior. Loans are not my preference but with your BSN, you could easily pay back these loans post graduation. You could also work summers to help with costs and if your parents could pitch in the difference, you can make it work.
I would take the cheapest housing option and meal plans (5 days a week), rent books and do not bring your car first year. SDSU students get discounts on the Green line trolley and you can get around SD very easily. SDSU housing offers microwaves in room, so you could do meals on the weekend using the microwave. 2nd year, if you sign up early, there are student apartments where you could cook to save money. Off campus housing can be expensive but if you get several friends together and split costs, it will come out cheaper than on-campus for Junior and Senior year.
If you do decide on UCI or CSUF, you will need to apply to other Nursing programs as possible backups just in case.
Best of luck with your decision and you need to figure out what works for you and your family.