United States University, San Diego Brick and Mortar School

[Faeriewand]

I've been researching United States University for the RN-BSN and I like it because it is a brick and mortar school that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I don't do so well with online classes so this school really meets my needs. Plus I would hate to have to take Statistics! LOL U.S. University doesn't require a stats course. It cost $250/unit and I can afford to pay for that. (I'm comparing it to NU and UoP so this is way cheaper) Classes are every 8 weeks and I can start at anytime. Also, they are WASC accredited so the classes I take can transfer anywhere.

I just had my transcripts evaluated for the RN-BSN program at no cost and was really pleased to see that they accepted all my credits for the lower division courses. They require that you take the four nursing pre-requisites (12 units) the nursing core courses (30 units) and the required program electives (9 units) then lastly, do a portfolio (1 unit)

For me, I really want a brick and mortar school. It's easier for me to learn that way. The University has been around since 1998 but they started their nursing program two years ago. The admissions counselor said they are moving to Chula Vista to a brand new building in May.

They have an ELMSN program too and that costs more than the RN-BSN.

Anyone attending U.S. University and can relate their experience?

[Kewpie Doll]

I am also a current student at USU fulfilling their prereqs for $3000 that cannot be transferred in from anywhere else. I thought I would add to this conversation considering the recent problems that have arisen with the BRN. I am very peeved after committing myself to yet more prerequisites and more $$$ in anticipation of acceptance for the USU September cohort...and now finding out we can't even submit applications and there may not be a future cohort unless the BRN gives them a green light during a meeting in mid September. I was feeling like things were settled only to find the old nightmare of applying to programs and is returning. I asked a lot of questions and then wrote to an administrator at school asking for an explanation and that is when they had someone send out an email to all the prenursing students. Her email was vague about the circumstances, but I followed up with some questions and found out the problem has something to do with their staff or perhaps a lack of teaching staff and was assured they are doing everything they can to remedy the situation and they do expect to be back on track. However, even if they get everything in order there is a distinct possibility there may be no Fall cohort. If things go badly .... ???

Even if a cohort starts in January, then double the amount of applicants will be pooled since there will be everyone who intended to apply for the fall plus all the students who finished up the prereqs by January. This is not a good feeling and if they close the program (which happened to me with Sharp/SDSU) I want my money back!

[BeanTrees]

God this is depressing.

[Dilly_dally]

I'm an LVN w/out a degree and recently began taking classes @ USU towards the BS in hopes to enroll in the ELMSN at some point. I read the forum and sent an advisor questions in regards to the status of the ELMSN program, here is my reply:

We will be meeting with the BRN on September 14th and we will have more concrete information regarding new cohort start dates after that meeting. We are working diligently to meet the items raised by the BRN and have begun to meet their staffing recommendations. We recently hired a new Nursing Director, per their recommendations, and with their approval. We have also created a clinical placement schedule through December 2011. We are in constant contact with BRN staff to ensure we are adhering and meeting their recommendations.

We will be able to forward additional information to our students after the September 14th meeting.

As USU is WASC accredited (same accreditation as that of other California state universities and community colleges), any course taken at USU is eligible for transfer to other institutions. Each receiving institution is responsible for determining what the transfer course is equivalent to based on the institutional courses they offer.

Please rest assured that USU staff is working nonstop on ensuring that we meet the all the recommendations issued by the BRN.

[lildiptalia]

I will be starting with USU at the end of August. I am also a LVN with no degree. I know that if the ELM program is BRN my job (VA in long beach) will still not accept it without it being CCNE accredited. So I will be getting my bachelor of health science. If they are approved by the time I am done then I will go with them, if not I will transfer to another school.

[grad111]

Careful, careful and lastly careful!

Best advice contact BRN directly for answers especially if you think you can get a BSN from this University.

Cheers

[lilbrazilian]

I am officially enrolled in United States University and looking for other students on here who are enrolled as well and can tell me about their experience. Looks like the cost for my degree will be $13,000 and my enrollment advisor said I can graduate in 14 months if I continue to go full time. :) Cal State San Marcos is $14,500 right now so I'm happy. I will be starting on the new campus in May. Just trying to get this thread going.

Hi, I was hoping you could help me find some answers. I just heard about this school. I was wondering about the university present situation. By reading all the mesagges, I saw that the school was supposed to be meeting with the BRN on September 14th. Was the school allowed to start a new Cohort? Will the school receive its CCNE accreditation?

Thanks in advance!

[tnguyen340]

From my personal experience, this school has really change my outlook on private education. On September 8, I was really excited to find out they offer an EL_MSN program at their San Diego so I went to inquire about the program at their new location (CYPRESS) which is currently underdevelopment. I met with the advisor and she was extremely nice. She evaluated my unofficial transcripts for free and I decided then and there to apply to the school. Since, I had a couple of prereqs that needed to be complete, I asked the advisor to enroll me into one of the class, but had second thoughts about a couple of days later. In the mean time, keep in mind that I never completed the admission application process (which means, I never turned in my official transcripts, nor completed any of the requirements required to be completed by first session or even pay for my class), but somehow I was still enrolled. Two weeks into the course, I was contacted by the Registrar stating that I've been missing class and that its important to attend class...Bottom line, they stuck me with the tuition. I told her I told her I was not a student there and there was no way I was going to be held responsible for the the tuition fee. After continuous emails with the Registrar, I ended up with the Advisor. She too, said I was responsible for the tuition fee because I asked to be enrolled. What baffles me is that I was stilled enrolled after I failed to complete all the requirement documents by OCT 13 (remember, i had second thoughts about the school) and was later contacted two weeks into the school session stating I was still responsible for the tuition fee.

As you can see, why my outlook changed. The people are nice, but when it comes to money, its a whole different story. I personally feel, because they're new site was underdevelopment, they skipped a lot of their procedures to ensure they have students enroll, which is something you need to be caution about especially if you had second thoughts like me. If you choose to continue to go here, my advice is to keep all your important documents (this includes, your acceptance letter, any other letters that is sent home, e-mails.. etc) so that you'll have some type of paper trail to argue back esp, if you were in my situation. In addition, I advise that your aware of their school policy. Other than that, I NO LONGER HAVE INTEREST IN THE SCHOOL

[tnguyen340]

agreed! please do all your research BEFORE deciding to go here.

[Dana2009]

Kinda scary cause as of now, the Cohorts for nursing are on hold. They will hear again from the BRN in December to see if they are approved to continue on with the program.

[Unthinkable]

Any updates regarding their status?

[Kewpie Doll]

Any updates regarding their status?

Yes. Every month I bug them and so I have all the updates they gave me. Supposedly the BRN met with them on Dec 23 but for the second time they did not have a quorum and could not vote on the proposed plan (or whatever they do.) They then told me it would be after the New Year. So I inquired in January again. Here is what I was told on 1/12 :

"There is no change in the status of the school’s nursing program. We are still on warning status and cannot admit any more students until we are cleared by the Board. My best guess of when that might be, but it is only a guess would be May or June at the earliest, but we have to wait for the BRN to make their final decision as to the status of the school."

What is weird is that in September they had a meeting with the BRN and thought they would have it resolved then but met again in October and then December. Then suddenly the solution is 6 months away.

I just wasted $3000 bucks last summer, while not applying to the other schools and putting my time into a bunch of crappy classes that I can't transfer anywhere else and that were some of the worst, most moronic classes with idiot professors that I have ever had.

Can I sue to get my money back?

[lunacat]

Hey Everyone!

So from what I've read, the ELMSN program is really just a BSN once you pass your NCLEX and then you have the option to pursue the MSN, right? If that's the case, can you take your MSN anywhere if they're only WASC accredited?