Nursing Student Cannot Decide on Which School to Attend

College Search & Selection
1

Hello,

I have heard back from most of my schools; as a result, it is now time to start picking! What would you suggest?

Note: I am a Pennsylvania resident, but I would rather not go in-state (especially since these OOS schools gave me scholarships that actually make the price of attending cheaper than Penn State and Pitt)

  • Arizona State University
  • University of Arizona
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Drexel University
  • University of Florida
  • University of Miami
  • Georgetown University
  • University of Virginia
  • San Diego State University

I was very successful in high school, but the amount of torture I went through to get to where I am was horrific. As a result, I am completely put off by these “prestigious schools” such as Georgetown where students are constantly trying to destroy each other.

What I Am Looking At (Does not need to fit everything)

  • Close to a city
  • Social school / Parties
  • Lots of school pride
  • Relaxed student atmosphere
  • Warm weather
  • Division 1 sports
  • Fairly inexpensive
  • Gorgeous campus
  • Decent NCLEX pass rate (85%+)
2

Florida, Miami, San Diego and Arizona fit most of your criteria. Which schools offer a direct admission into the nursing program. After the scholarships, will your family pay for the balance of tuition? Nursing is a very rigorous major, sorry to disappoint you, but you more than likely will not be able to partake in very much partying.

3

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml - to better compare the aid packages. Don’t forget to include your own best estimates for two or three trips home each year.

Each program should have info about the NCLEX passing rate right on its website. If you can’t find it there, email them and ask.

What requirements are there for keeping your scholarship? Is that GPA higher than what is required just to stay in the Nursing program?

4

I highly doubt that Georgetown students are constantly trying to destroy each other.

You mention that “fairly inexpensive” is one of the criteria but you don’t actually give any idea how much each college costs relative to the others.

5

you’ve missed what ought to be the #1 criteria, which programs are direct-admit?

6

from the Nursing sub forum, here is the mater list of direct entry programs, the list is on page 17
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/nursing-major/859704-master-list-of-direct-entry-nursing-programs-p17.html
Eventhough the list is not entirely complete & some programs have changed back to pre-nursing, it will still give you an idea
There is a comment on the last page in the link, a poster there mentioned that Arizona State is not exactly direct admit, they required a 3.75 GPA in all the 13 pre-req classes to advance to Nursing Program. You may want to check with the school to get more info.

7

If the net COA for University of Miami is affordable, that would be my recommendation. They also have a Nurse Anesthesia Program (so do nearby FIU and Barry University), which I think is your long term goal. UM has everything you are looking for, including a great location, pretty campus and a diverse student body.

Note: UF and UM do not have a direct-admit program, but for at least UM the admission bar is low compare to other nursing programs:

8

Wait…did you already get into Georgetown? Must have been early action? I would choose Georgetown from those on the list. Also, what about UPENN? Did you apply?

9

Yes, determine which of the schools have offered you direct admission to the nursing major, versus requiring you to meet a high threshold college GPA and/or apply to the major in a competitive admission process later.

Also check whether staying in the nursing major at each school requires an unusually high college GPA or grades. For example, some nursing programs will dismiss students who receive two “failing” grades, for whatever definition of “failing” grade they have (which may include grades other than F).