2 Acceptance Lttrs...Now what? Private vs. Community college Help...

U.S.A. Tennessee

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Greetings. Okay, it is now official. I have been accepted into two associate degree nursing programs for spring: a community college and a private college. What do you do when you've been accepted into more than one program? What's the tie-breaker? I need help! :banghead:

My Dilemma:

I have a stronger preference towards one school but I am heavily weighing my options nonetheless. My husband (and family) are strongly encouraging the more inexpensive route (community college). Counting my outside scholarship and pell grant(s), I should not have to pay out of pocket for my tuition and most of my textbooks for the community college nursing program. (Plus, my sister just graduated from this cc and still has all of her notes and some of her books which would be a tremendous help.) However, if I choose to attend the prestigious private college, I'll just have enough to cover my first semester (tuition and books). I'd still likely get some smaller scholarship(s) in addition to pell grant(s) but nothing is set in stone. I'd still have to come up with lots of $ ($15k max). My husband is dead set against taking out a loan. Ever heard Dave Ramsey say, "The borrower is slave to the lender?" Well, that's more or less what my husband says. At one point, he agreed to take out a small loan ($2-3K) but has since retracted since our finances are tight and the economy is in such turmoil. I hope this doesn't sound too absurd. If you listen to Dave Ramsey (99.7fm M-F 1-4pm) you know where I'm coming from. It's so hard to live off of one income with four children, not to mention the children will have to all be in daycare (1 FT/3 part-time). I cannot express how badly I want this to work out for me and my family! I really want to go to the private college but how can I go without going into tremendous debt? I've heard of loan forgiveness/tuition reimbursement but most hospitals want you to work there full-time (30-36hrs) for at least 3 months to be eligible. I feel pretty sure that's not going to happen in my particular situation (not feasible for many reasons which I won't go into). It could be manageable if I could just maybe work 1 or 2 shifts a month or just agree to work for the hospital for a few years. (I'm going to try and make some more calls.) I just don't know how willing hospitals are to negotiate and what the current market demand is, etc. here in mid-TN. My husband suggested going to cc and then try to transfer later into the private college after we save some more money, economy stable, etc.

Does anyone know how hard it would be to transfer during the middle of a nursing program into another nursing program?

Am I simply being a fool for even thinking about passing on the well-respected, highly regarded (yet expensive) private school in favor of the inexpensive community college?

How difficult is it to get into middle TN's private and community college nursing programs? (Aquinas, TSU, Columbia State, Vol. State, NSCC, Regents, etc.)

I've heard lots of hearsay about both of these schools. I've heard that it does not matter where you go to nursing school to your future employer as long as you are an licensed RN. I've also heard that it doesn't matter which college you go to (cc vs. private) but it's the effort you put into it yourself. Basically you're learning the same skills/materials with the same goal in sight; the main difference is the cost.

I feel ignorant (okay...stupid) for even writing this post, but I really believe that if anyone could understand where I am coming from that they'd be found here. I really needed to let all of this out and really appreciate any words of wisdom or insight. Thank you and have a bless day.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, ICU.

If it's just an associate degree prgm, go with the community program. Better value for what you get in my opinion.

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Even if you didn't have a family with four children and a tight financial situation, it would make better sense to take the practical route at the community college. Save getting into debt for when you want to get your BSN.

Another consideration: although not likely to happen, you might not be able to finish at the community college. Perhaps you might fail (it does happen). You would then have the private college available as Plan B. These days it is best to keep all options available.

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There is no reason in my opinion to go to the private school. Your family is rather large and 1 income is difficult enough as it is...even once you are out of school and making decent money as an RN it will be hard to support 4 children.

Most employers won't care where you went to school, it really just matters if you have a license or not. Regardless of where you went to school, when you are done you are still just a new grad and have to go through all the same training regardless of where you went to school.

Save your $$ and go the CC route, you end up taking the same test in the end to get your license and your title will be the exact same, except you won't have 15k worth of debt which would be a nice down payment on a brand new car or something don't you agree?

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Congratulations on your acceptance! I agree with everyone and think the community college is the best way to go. Why go in debt if you don't have to. I am curious about the loan forgiveness programs here in TN. They are very good in NJ (or at least they were).

Was the private college Aquinas by any chance?

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The only way I would recommend going to a private (expensive) school is if you couldn't get into a CC.

Consider yourself very lucky to have the opportunity to get an almost free nursing education. Also being debt free means that you don't even have to consider signing a contract with a hospital to be eligible for loan forgiveness. A lot of new nurses hate their first job but if they sign a contract for loan forgiveness they have to suffer and stick it out or pay back the money.

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Surgical, LTAC.

I agree with everyone else. The community college is definately the way to go. When you get out of nursing school you are going to want to enjoy your sucess and your hard work. Not give away your earnings to the government. The interest on those student loans are ridiculous! I am speaking from experience. As long as you are at an accredidate institution take the cheapest route for sure.

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Community College--frankly I think they are better than the university--at least in my area they are highly regarded. Graduate debt free--get a job in hospital and let them pay for your BSN--it is a no-brainer.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I agree with so many of the other responders- the CC is the best option. I'd like to add that the CC may be more adaptable to your situation. Private schools MAY be more designed for students whos' daddys are paying the way, providing the car, funding the dorm, and the only responsibility of the student it to go to class and learn. As a mother and wife you have obligations that may be more commonly taken into account in a community college. In addition, how much do you have in common with a class full of pampered debutants. I know I'm making some glaring generalizations, but I am looking at the general "flavor" of the school, not at every unique individual. I'm sure there are a number of hard working , dedicated, students at the private school, who count themselves lucky for the opportunity to attend that instatution.. I just think you can only eat so much "prestige". AN AD in nursing is a fast tract to a reasonalbe wage and job security. Prestige is of little importance to those goals. For your position in life I think the CC is a better fit.

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hi,

i dunno which route you took since it is an old thread, but i am in the same boat as you and would like to know which route you ended up taking.

i am also accepted into the local cc and a private highly "elie" and prestigious private school. cant decide which i should accept as i had my heart set on the private college but then i thought being an LVN i will get advanced placement. now it seems, it will take me same amount of time to finish from a comm coll or the private school.

the sucess rate on nclex for the local com coll is better then the private school. ths com coll is also 15 mins clsoer then the private one.

however, the private school in thier info sessions and orientation makes it seem like having that label of a name brand private school would be a sure shot way of me getting my first job, but then really????? personally i dont think so as i hve heard they dont care wht school u went to as long as u hve a license and thats it!!!!!!

need some help

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i would like to know what she chose as well! since high school i've always wanted to go to , and now that i am an LPN and looking at all the different options before me, I somewhat reluctantly realize that the community college or state school is the smartest choice. my thoughts are that a degree is a degree when it comes to nursing at least. i have come across some new grads from those prestigious schools who are just as clueless and timid stepping into that first job, regardless of that great institution they came from. i have heard that aquinas is superb because of the small class sizes and the concern of the instructors, and i wanted to go there after hearing that if you want to succeed, they will make sure you do at aquinas. BUT my thing is that i have the determination and motivation that it takes to get through nursing school, whether the teachers are there for me or not. so i think i will be opting for the cheaper, more flexible option!

~Sara~

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