Boston College Masters Entry 2015

Sproutie · Feb 16, 2015

There's nothing wrong with Simmons but I'd have to take quite a few more pre-requisites, it's harder for me to get to the Simmons campus than the MGH campus, there's no financial benefit for me to go to Simmons (unless they offer heaps of money, in which case I'll reconsider), and I just got a better feel from MGH. MGH is the only school I found that even discusses the possibility of work-life balance and they are explicitly family friendly, since I have little kids that is very appealing...and it's also the only thing making it the decision hard. BC is short which is a pro and con. I love the idea of completing the schooling quickly and getting to work faster but I'm also worried about missing time with my babies.

Pedsssss · Feb 18, 2015

is there anywhere we can talk with accepted students to find potential roommates?

Zewl · Feb 18, 2015

What areas of Boston are people looking at to live in?

Pedsssss · Feb 23, 2015

Who has accepted their offer!!!??

yaycoffee_ · Mar 3, 2015

What do folks think about BC's two-year program compared to other three-year programs? What I've heard is that BC is very, very intense and you never get an evening or day off, while other programs can be treated like a 9-5 job. Personally, I prefer the sanity of having restorative time, but I have an impatient streak that wants to get out there and working asap. Plus, the savings of a shorter program (less in tuition, living expenses) is a strong selling point for BC. As for the quality of the program, I get the sense that there's no real difference and all graduates get jobs within 6 months of graduation. Any thoughts?

Does anyone have further insight into why people are willing to pay more money for the 3-year programs over BC? I am deciding between BC and MGH, BC being about $30-40k cheaper with my scholarship. I understand that MGH gives a BSN and that's an extra credential after your name upon graduation, but is there any other reason to pay that much more money for MGH when BC has similar quality clinical sites, a good reputation, and the same ultimate degree outcome? Am I missing something...?

Zewl · Mar 3, 2015

This is the same thing I'm dealing with. I think it's more about what you're looking for in a program. If you feel confident that you can jump right in and move at such a fast pace without previous real nursing experience then BC is the way to go, if you need a little more time to work on it then maybe a longer program is better.

BlackSkimmer · Mar 4, 2015

By my rudimentary calculations (done after the post you quoted), BC costs the same as other schools if you account for the ability to work as an RN and gain experience during the 3-yr programs (which I'm assuming you can't do at BC because it's so intense). Other than that, I think it's a matter of the right fit for you and how willing you are to never take a night off for two years. Plus, I wonder about my ability to really learn stuff when it's crammed versus given time to sink in.

snailszy · Mar 4, 2015

I also want to get out there and work as a nurse as soon as I can, but I figure that is what I am going to be doing for the rest of my life... Might as well have the time to enjoy being back at school. The most I'm losing is a year of working.. And MGH's schedule allows for us to work in the summer after passing the nclex and during the MSN portion of the program. So if working is what you really want to do, the opportunity is there at MGH.

However, if you're tight on budget and can't afford to take out more loans, BC seems the most budget-friendly choice.

I've knocked BC out of my schools, and am deciding between moving across the country to MGH or staying put at a state program. But either way, the FB group I created for MGH has a lot of info as most of us in here are deciding between schools :) look up MGH IHP 2015 on facebook!

PaiNP1 · Mar 4, 2015

Hey guys, I've been lurking on here since I applied and finally broke down and made an account! I'm also deciding between BC and a 3-year program (Yale GEPN), so i'm in the same boat as many of you. I've talked with a number of NP's in Boston (one of whom actually works at MGH and is involved in their program), and many suggest that the BSN is not worth the extra money and most places will be hesitant to hire an RN for a short amount of time.

The cost of BC - and the fact that I already live in Boston - is a major factor for me, but I am also worried about how condensed the program is. The schedule that was posted today looks pretty intense!

Is anyone else deciding between BC and Yale?

newenglandbound · Mar 4, 2015

I have been lurking on here for a while now too, PaiNP1! So from how I understand most programs, the first two semesters of a DE program are as intensive as the schedule that was posted today because you are doing 18 hours of classes/clinicals (I quickly glanced at MGHIHP's website and theirs seems similarly intensive.) I remember reading that at Columbia, there is one day in the summer that goes until 9pm! Normally it's the masters portion that has less credits when the program is 3 years.

I'm leaning heavily towards BC over a few other schools because I love Boston, the cost, and I want a smaller program. I just want to wait to go to admitted students day before I commit and pay the deposit.

hakhama · Mar 5, 2015

Hi everyone, I am an RN applicant who applied for the MSN-Psych track at BC for Fall 2015.

Would anyone be willing to comment on what kinds of scholarships they received/percentage of tuition reduced? Also, did the scholarships come with admission or did you have to apply separately? Any insight about financial aid would be great. Thanks!

r.mary2 · Mar 8, 2015

Hi, I just stared taking the path class online from UNE. Has anyone else started this?