Accepted to Georgetown and Simmons.......now what?

[blue_eyed_mommy]

So I've been accepted in the full time programs at Simmons and Georgetown. I don't know what to do! I'm really nervous about the cost of Georgetown's program. Has anyone experienced problems receiving enough financial aid for the program? Or programs getting a GradPlus loan?

Simmons worries me a little because of how new the online program is. Georgetown is an easily recognizable name and I like the idea of clinical placements. I'm just not so sure about the extra debt.

My fiancee' is a CRNA so we already have huge student loans, but I don't want to give up something I want just because of that either. I plan on working part time or casual throughout the program but we would be in trouble if I had to start paying out of pocket for classes.

Suggestions and advice are appreciated

[TereseRN, BSN, RN]

For me I preferred for the School to find my clinical sites, I also like the live classes for discussion opportunities and not a bunch of constant paper writing and group work/discussion board postings. Ive dine that my entire bsn and it gets old boring and find myself doing half butt work. That's me though. You have to do what's best for you. I have had More support from Simmons than ask the other Schools I talked to. That made me feel secure in my decision. I've talked to several staff from financial aid to Student support to IT support with no issues. And my advisor even sent me a welcome post card and then when I finished my BSN sent me a congrats postcard. Which made me realize I'm not just another number t to them. ny emails an calls have been returned within and hour in some instances. Overall I'm just really thankful and comfortable.

That is an excellent point. The number one thing that turns me off towards online education is the massive amount of paper writing that is involved. While I understand that grad school involves research and paper writing, I don't want my whole education to be paper writing. Did Simmons tell you that they don't over use the discussion board and paper pushing? I certainly do love that they have actual classes. That is a big selling point. Do you think I have a good change of getting in? My nursing GPA is 3.51, cumulative is a 3.0, I have 5 years experience in nursing, 2 of which were in ICU and my recommendations are from a FNP, Doctor that I work with, a nursing instructor, and my old ICU Manager. The cumulative GPA makes me a little nervous.