Accepted to Duke AND Vanderbilt. Decisions! Help!!

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Hello all,

I have been accepted to both Vanderbilt and Duke for the Peds Acute Care NP MSN program beginning this August. I accepted Vanderbilt's offer in March and Duke just made their decision this month. The acceptance email went to my junk folder and now I have NO time to really THINK about the pros/cons of each program.

Vanderbilt's program is distance-based and 3 semesters. Duke's program is 4 semesters (and supposedly nearly impossible to complete successfully unless done in the part-time 7-semester format).

I've received various responses when I shared my dilemma with my family, friends and colleagues. I live in Southern California and have a house in NC. Moving to NC isn't a huge issue, but I want to hear from some of you with experience with EITHER school. Pros, cons... The whole bit.

I'm blessed to have been accepted to both, but am now afflicted with the levity of this decision.

Help greatly appreciated,

Andi

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Oh, to be in your shoes :) I live in NC and love Duke, but Vandy is a great school, too.

Good Luck in whatever you choose and Congrats!

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Specializes in CTICU.

Which program was your first choice? It's hard for others to advise given the personal nature of the decision - both are great schools and you'll do great with either, so choose the one your gut says to go for. If Vandy fits in better with your lifestyle and you can avoid a move, I'd do that one. It's an excellent school and having just finished my msn, the easier it fits in with your life the better!

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Specializes in Hospitalist.
Hello all,

I have been accepted to both Vanderbilt and Duke for the Peds Acute Care NP MSN program beginning this August. I accepted Vanderbilt's offer in March and Duke just made their decision this month. The acceptance email went to my junk folder and now I have NO time to really THINK about the pros/cons of each program.

Vanderbilt's program is distance-based and 3 semesters. Duke's program is 4 semesters (and supposedly nearly impossible to complete successfully unless done in the part-time 7-semester format).

I've received various responses when I shared my dilemma with my family, friends and colleagues. I live in Southern California and have a house in NC. Moving to NC isn't a huge issue, but I want to hear from some of you with experience with EITHER school. Pros, cons... The whole bit.

I'm blessed to have been accepted to both, but am now afflicted with the levity of this decision.

Help greatly appreciated,

Andi

Sounds awesome. Either way you win. So many people on here can't get into either of those programs.

I'm hoping for Vanderbilt ACNP myself for Fall 2013. I went to a MSN Open House at Vandy this past March. I've looked at Duke's Program too. They would mean more loans (living expenses, tutition and books, food, car stuff, any family expenses, and insurance for 24 months minimum at Duke versus only 12 months at Vandy).

Sounds like a no brainer to me. Vandy is an amazing school, less time, less loans. When we graduate and get a job, the big significant difference really will be that with Vandy we'll be making money at least a year sooner, having trained with the best.

Good luck!

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