ASU vs GCU

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  1. ASU vs. GCU BSN Program

    • 2
      Arizona State University
    • 0
      Grand Canyon University

2 members have participated

Hi to those of you in Arizona! I just wanted to reach out and get some guidance in regards to ASU vs GCU BSN programs! I currently attend EMCC and love it, but I have received acceptance letters from both schools and am having a hard time choosing! Any guidance you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Are you in the EMCC CEP program, or taking pre-reqs at EMCC? Will you be attending the University in person or online? I may be wrong, but I think GCU is a for-profit Uni, and is Christian based, if that impacts your decision in any way?

Personally, if I was attending in person, I'd choose ASU. But that's me...your personal requirements will be totally different than mine (of course!)

On a side note, I'm considering applying to EMCC to their CEP nursing program...any thoughts? My hesitation is that there are only about 24 seats, whereas GCC has 96...both programs are competitive entry, so I imagine it must be harder to get into EMCC??

paigeklj

2 Posts

I am just taking pre-reqs, although looking back, the CEP program does seem to be significantly more beneficial! I am attending in person (I learn better that way!) but was lost due to some reviews I read online regarding ASU. I understand that GCU is for-profit as well as a Christian-based uni, but the reviews I've seen say that they're more hands-on and receive more clinical experience than ASU. This was just a few people's opinions, but I like to take everything into account!

As for CEP, I don't know much about GCC, but as for EMCC, I believe their program is just smaller, as opposed to being more competitive. GCC has been around for twice as long as EMCC, which has its perks in terms of it being a well-established program, but I have heard that they don't have as much one-on-one interaction with the instructors and that some of their equipment as opposed to EMCC. That being said, having never attended GCC, I might be unintentionally biased, but that's my two cents anyway! :)

rachaelofcourse

364 Posts

If I had the option, I would attend ASU. I attended GCU for pre-reqs only to be left with massive loans, unreturned phone calls and emails to advisors, egregious charges that shouldn't have been there, ever-changing requirements, and so on and so forth. I would like to point out that there is an open investigation against GCU by the AzBON for their pre-licensure and FNP programs. That alone would make my decision.

I am just taking pre-reqs, although looking back, the CEP program does seem to be significantly more beneficial! I am attending in person (I learn better that way!) but was lost due to some reviews I read online regarding ASU. I understand that GCU is for-profit as well as a Christian-based uni, but the reviews I've seen say that they're more hands-on and receive more clinical experience than ASU. This was just a few people's opinions, but I like to take everything into account!

As for CEP, I don't know much about GCC, but as for EMCC, I believe their program is just smaller, as opposed to being more competitive. GCC has been around for twice as long as EMCC, which has its perks in terms of it being a well-established program, but I have heard that they don't have as much one-on-one interaction with the instructors and that some of their equipment as opposed to EMCC. That being said, having never attended GCC, I might be unintentionally biased, but that's my two cents anyway! :)

If you're already enrolled at EMCC, I would go and talk with the nursing advisor there to get some information about their CEP...that way you can get a better idea of the best pathway of classes to take. Once you have those done you'll be in a position to apply for the CEP. That way you can partner with a University and take your nursing classes at EMCC. You will (hopefully) graduate with a BSN, just as if you leave EMCC and enroll fulltime at one of the Unis...but the CEP is much more affordable.

Also - what rachaelofcourse said in her post would put me well off GCU!!!!

Hello my fellow Arizonian! I'm in a similar position as you- currently taking my prereqs for a second degree/accelerated BSN program and have been looking into ASU, GCU, and NAU. Obviously I haven't attended any program yet but I will say that I've had MUCH better experience so far with ASU when it comes to meeting/speaking with advising and admissions reps. They've been incredibly helpful and everything is just super clean and straight forward with them, IMO. With GCU, however, it's been some kind of nightmare and they've been trying to push the NCEP program for me since I'm a second degree student even though I've been continuously telling them that I'm just interested in a fast track BSN right now. But because they're for-profit, they're always trying to upsell and push and it's becomming very frustrating. Needless to say, I've had nothing but a negative experience with them thus far and it's deterred me from even considering GCU an option anymore. Looks like i'm just applying to ASU and NAU now! lol But that's just my personal experience. Like I said, I've never attended the school. But the advising and admissions office has left me with a sour taste in my mouth. :yawn:

Syane, MSN, RN

25 Posts

Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Orthopedics, Telemetry.

I finished ASU's RN to BSN program March 2016 and I really enjoyed the program. It was busy but it was well organized and planned out. The recruiter was very knowledgable and was always there for you as well as the faculty. There is one group project per class and you also a few video presentations, which at first I hated, but ended up liking. The coursework is fair and you will learn a lot. I loved that the semesters were divided into 8 week sessions which made the program go faster. I started the program in January 2015 and completed it in March 2016, taking two classes each term. I suggest you take English 102 and Statistics now before you start the program. Much cheaper to take elsewhere. I would totally go back to ASU for my MSN but they do not offer the concentration I am interested in. Good luck!

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