ADVICE NEEDED: UCI, UCLA, UPenn, UW, APU

[kgiesch]

Hi all! Thanks for taking the time to read.

I'm a CA resident in my senior year of high school. I've wanted to be a neonatal NP for years and have shadowed in the nice and done a bunch of research, talked to nurses, etc, so I'm very set on nursing. Because of this, I've applied to a lot of colleges for nursing undergrad, and I need advice on what do do.

I applied to: UC Berkeley (no nursing, just cuz), UC San Diego (no nursing, just cuz), UC Irvine, UCLA, University of Washington, University of Pennsylvania, and Azusa Pacific University.

i was accepted to APU very early - at the beginning of October, I think. It is definitely my safety school, but I'm in the running for a full-ride merit scholarship, and if I get that, I would have a hard time saying no.

I like Irvine better as a school than UCLA, but it seems like LA has a better program? But then, looking at NCLEX pass rates from the last few years, neither were superb??

I love UW but I would have to pay out of state tuition, and I'm a little worried about the weather, haha. But I think I would definitely go there. What makes me nervous is that instead of direct-entry, they have you apply and get in your junior year, so what if I went and didn't get in my junior year? Not the end of the world, but pretty lame.

UPenn is my super reach. Based on my stats, I should be competitive, but so is everyone else applying to Ivies. I don't know if I would like PA, and it sounds like a very stressful environment with bad mental health, but I haven't visited, and I won't unless I get in. Also, it is mad expensive!!!

Anyway, basically I just posted this here to see if anyone has input on a particular program, or what they would choose. Of course this is obviously all theoretical - it's possible I will get in nowhere. I am happy to post my stats or recommendations, classes, extra curriculars, etc, if that helps.

Thank you so much! God bless!