Choosing Between University of Hawaii and Columbia University

[meredithm]

Hello everyone,

I'm in a slight predicament. About two months ago, I was offered admittance to the ETP program at Columbia University. This was definitely my stretch school, and I was elated to find out that I had been accepted. I put down a deposit and have been preparing to start the program at the end of May, but just yesterday I was contacted by the University of Hawaii and was told that I had been accepted to their MEPN program as well.

The program at Hawaii won't start until September, which is not a huge concern to me, but I am unsure of how to proceed. The program at Columbia would give me:

A more prestigious name

Time in a beautiful, culture-driven city

A bachelor's degree in nursing

A master's degree in nursing

But the program at University of Hawaii would offer me:

A shorter program (by half a year)

Time on a beautiful island

Less debt

A master's degree

My predicament is this--I would love to go to Columbia and pursue my education there, but I am unsure if the "prestige" would be worth the difference in the amount of debt. I would at least be saving myself $50,000 over the course of the programs if I went to Hawaii, but would this number be trivial once I finish the programs?

I would love to get some insight, and it would be great to hear from someone who would be hiring for FNPs because that is what I would be at the end of the program. Additionally, would the name "Columbia" be a huge selling point for most positions?

Also, does anyone have any idea of the difference in cost between the programs? I'm finding it difficult to locate the cost difference between the two since cost of living is included for one school but not the other.

[ToTheStudent]

Firstly, congratulations! Those are both wonderful options. However, in my opinion Columbia is the better option. I'm not sure where you are located now and although NYC is very pricey, Hawaii is extremely expensive! Also the opportunity to complete your clinicals in NYC will be truly wonderful. In the end the debt won't matter, there are hundreds of other students that will be doing the same thing and thousands that have survived the large among of debt without a problem. I visited Hawaii many times and it is beautiful, but the overall educational experience at Columbia is beyond exceptional. Also keep in mind travel to and from Hawaii will incredibly long and expensive as well. Only you can decide, but I researched both programs when I applied to direct entry programs this year, and my pick is Columbia. Good luck!