I was accepted into a state school and an ivy league school for my MSN in midwifery, starting this fall. (I'm already an RN.) It looks like I'll be getting only loans this first year at either place (my applications weren't complete by the first deadlines, so I was waitlisted, then got in each program, but by that time the scholarships were all gone). I think the ivy league school's final financial aid offer, which I'm still waiting for, will actually cover my living expenses, unlike the offer from the state school, which was only for tuition and school costs, so it may be more practical to go there.
When it comes to finding a job after graduation, does it make a difference where you attend school? I want to attend the ivy league school, but the tuition will be twice that of the state school. I'm thinking there will be many benefits to the ivy league school, like networking; better clinical experiences; more non-nursing students (ie GEPN or direct entry), students who have done other things than nursing; plus the prestige of an ivy league graduate degree. I've also never been to the east coast and would love to live there for a couple of years.
Or is it prestigous in nursing to attend an ivy league school? I already have a MA from a top ten school (religious studies) and this has not made two bits of difference in nursing. (If not the RNs, the MDs do notice these things, however ...)
Is there anyone out there reading this who has inside knowledge about the relative merits of degrees from various schools? BTW, the state school is top ranked, I have no hesitation to go there, it has a wonderful reputation, it's in my hometown, and I want to eventually return there to work as a CNM.
