Colleges choices.... how to pick

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So... I am a junior in high school now and I am wondering how I should chose a college to become a RN. I would like to eventually obtain a masters to become an oncology CNS or pediatric NP. I have narrowed down my search to SFSU and CSULB. Which one has the best nursing program and academic prestige? I can easily get into both of these colleges with my GPA (4.6 weighted, 3.9 unweighted) So.. how should I chose? also are there any other colleges I am not considering that would be better? For me, CSULB is close to home, which seems to be comforting, SFSU I would have to live on campus.

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Congrats on the wonderful GPA. That kind of GPA gives you a lot of choosing freedom. One thing I can suggest when talking about colleges is to you their full names because not everyone is familiar with abbreviations of colleges ex. UVI,which was my first college (a tip I got when talking about what colleges I wanted to go to when I was in highschool).

Now whichever college it is that you want to go to make sure they have a nursing program or a pre nursing program. You will have to take about 30 or so college credits in order to apply for any nursing program even if it is within the university you want to attend.

**out of all things!!! make sure whatever nursing program you end up applying to is ACCREDITED!!!**

Other than that you seem to be on the right path. Make sure you talk to your college counselors and they can also help you through this process. And you could even go to the RN area and ask about any University/nursing program suggestions just make sure to use the schools full name =)

Good luck and keep up the good grades!!!

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

Is that really your name? If it is, it is SO cute. :)

Anyway, back to the post lol. Congrats in your GPA. Really, I'm a cheapskate so I'd say, go to the school closest to your home so you can live with your parents. I'd save as much money as I can, just because Nursing School can get pricey with all the extra expenses, like for clinicals and stuff.

Make sure your RN program is accredited.

I'm not too crazy about "academic prestige". It usually means more $$$.(Wow I sound so cheap LOL). I think that as long as the school has a good NCLEX passing rate(hint hint), and I see students are very much happy with their education and such, it's a good program. Just because a University as a whole has prestige, doesn't mean the RN program is all great. EX. University of Miami, probably the most prestigious private uni in S.Florida where I live, had to put its RN program on probation in 2007 I believe, because of its many problems. Soooo as long as the RN program itself has a good NCLEX passing rate, you're good.

Take campus tours, those are always helpful I think. Get a feel for the school and the faculty if you can.

I think you are on the right track, sweetheart. =D Good luck!

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Hello Miss Caribe,

So I am a bit confused now. In order to be accepted into the Nursing program at Cal State Long Beach, I have to do credits in college? So I would apply to Cal State Long Beach, do GEs, then apply for nursing program? Haha sorry I do not know much about it... From my understanding I thought you apply to the college with the major of your choice (nursing), then first 2 years are GEs then last 2 are your actual degree work. Is it different with nursing? haha sorry I just got confused. and thanks for posting earlier

And to on eagles wings,

thanks :) and yea its my name, love it :) haha and thanks, never considered looking at NCLEX passing rate, seems Cal State Long Beach is pretty good from what I saw. :) I think I am going to choose that, considering it is closest to where I live and its a good school. :) thanks again

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No worries I was confused when I first thought about going to nursing school. Yes nursing is different than other majors SOO different in so many ways lol! almost all nursing programs within a certain university require you to apply for the nursing program once your prereqs are done...OR the university will let you claim nursing as your major and when you have proved to have passed your prereqs with a certain GPA then you just flow on into the nursing program HOWEVER every school is different and I could be wrong. But it would be beneficial for you to look into that! =) the university your interested in should have that information within the nursing school section of their website=)

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im starting my nursing as of now my first semester at a community college. i wasnt so fortunate with the great gpa, kudos to you on that :D. but you do need your prerequisites and in my school im a nursing major but to them they call it pre nursing so they might consider you pre nursing until you finish the classes needed to take you into your clinical phase.. again it is different for a lot of schools i just find it common for colleges and universities to call you a "pre nursing" student :D

best wishes to you, im sure you'll make a great choice.

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If you want to see NCLEX pass rates, here is a link for California:

Board of Registered Nursing - NCLEX Pass Rates

It looks like CSULB has a really good pass rate (95%). I think either one would be good and they are both state schools so they should have reasonable tuition.

Although, I'd do some research and try to talk to some people in the programs themselves. I don't know the current situation but I know many CSUs have had quite a few problems over the years with budget cuts which result in classes being more crowded or even getting cut, prolonging graduation (my knowledge is from non-nursing programs). I went to a UC (again non-nursing) and they seemed to not have the same issues that CSUs but it does come at a price as the UCs are more expensive. I was lucky though to get a tuition grant for my undergrad.

My recommendation would be to apply to a few different schools, apply for financial aid and see what happens. Again, I'd try to talk to someone who are in the specific programs that you are looking at to see what they have to say.

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In addition to the NCLEX pass rates/cost/other considerations, I would strongly encourage you to do a campus visit. If I could go back to when I was picking out a college, this is something that I definitely would have done. Make sure that the school you choose is a good fit for you. You mention that one of the school is close enough to live at home - if you can afford to live on campus (given your amazing GPA, I hope that will offer some incentive packages for you), I would encourage you to do it. College is a great time to grow and expand your horizions, and the friends I know who lived at home during school although they could afford to do otherwise ended up regreting it even though they had great families. This is your time to spread your wings and fly.

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