CSULB, SDSU, or USF??

U.S.A. California

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Hey everyone! So I'm a senior in high school and I just got accepted into these schools which have nursing programs. For CSULB and SDSU I have just got accepted into the school, not the nursing program because you don't apply until later. However, for USF I got accepted as a freshman into the nursing program. Now decision decisions....what should I do? USF is private so to the tuition is more, but for CSULB and SDSU there's no guarantee yet if I'll get into their program down the line. But they are closer to me and cost less. Which program is better? Any advice from people applying, going, or that have gone ??? help please!

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I looked up USF's tuition and if I read correctly then the cost is $38.5k/year. University of San Francisco (USF) - Tuition and Fees Schedule for Academic Year 2012-13The program is 4 years long so total for 4 years (without books and housing if you are planning to live there) the tuition cost would be $154k.

I currently go to CSULB and I am in my third year, I just applied last semester and am waiting to hear back soon. I probably spent less than $20k for my education so far, and the BSN program is going to cost ~$25k. I applied to both CSULB and SDSU as well as CSULA, CSUSB, SFSU, and CSUS. CSULB. CSULB has both a 2 year (including summers) or 3 year (you get summers off) option for their program, and SDSU is 5 semesters (I am pretty sure with summers off, but not completely sure).

The pros of going to USF is that you already a shoe in to the nursing program. The whole application process for nursing is stressful and Cal states seem to be coming up with more rules to their admissions which decrease chances of you getting in. If you'd like to know more about this, read the CSULA 2012 thread or the past CSULB threads for the BSN hopefuls. To me, that would be the only pro of going to USF. You don't have to go through under all the stress of applying and won't have to worry about not getting in. It is a huge plus that you are already accepted out of high school AND you will be done in 4 years. The cons is obviously the price, and you said you don't live close to it.

I've been a commuter to CSULB for 3 years and I don't really love it, but the campus is nice? (LOL, only good thing to say about it) It's EXTREMELY hard to get your pre-req classes since so many people are pre nursing students here. It took me until my second year Spring semester to get into my first science! I have no idea how it is at SDSU regarding the impaction, but if you do not get a good registration date your chances of finishing your pre-reqs in 2 years is very very slim. I was fed up with not being able to get into my science courses that over the summer I went to a private school to take anatomy and physiology and it was the best decision I made. Yeah it was $6k for 2 classes, but it was totally worth it because I don't have to wait to get in A&P at CSULB plus Anatomy and Physiology are separate courses at Long Beach, so there is no guarantee I would have gotten both at the same time.

Anyway, pros to going to cal state: a LOT cheaper, might be a good idea to go to cal state if you plan to go further than a BSN in nursing

cons to a cal state: impaction, hard to get classes, no guarantee you will be in the program, hard to finish getting a BSN in 4 years

I'm starting to feel like I'm just telling you my whole college story, but maybe it give you more reasons to why you will choose one school over the other. It really comes down to are you willing to pay more to guarantee you will finish in 4 years with a BSN, or are you willing to take a risk and pay significantly less along with taking more time to finish.

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Wow thank you so much for your advice! Reading through your story definitley gave me some insight into the realitities of going to either of theses schools. Getting done in 4 years is a plus to me but i am planning on pursuing further than a BSN. Tuition is a lot cheaper at cal states but wow i had no idea it was that hard getting into the pre req classes! However, i will be receiving financial aid at USF so i wonder how much of a decreaae in tuition that would lead to.

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I too plan on going further than just a BSN and I think going the Cal state path saved me tons of money. I was very close to attending West Coast Uni. which is a 3 year program I think? and it cost over $100k, but they weren't accredited at the time so I decided to continue going to CSULB. Then last year I was going to go for AUHS which would cost me $90k for 2 to 2.5 years I believe, but when I went the counselor made a good point in why I shouldn't. She said I had a really good GPA and say that I graduated in 2 years. I would be in so much dept, it would take me longer than 1-2 years to pay off the tuition by working! So why not just go to school, spend a little more time getting your BSN, and save money then when you actually get to work you don't have to pay more? I'm glad she made me realize that because I knew CSU was the way to go for me. I didn't want to make myself/my parents in debt or take out loans or anything and I'm not really in any rush.

Also note that I'm mainly only comparing costs/time etc. I would read about other threads to know how the experience/professors are. It's really good you got into USF though, you wouldn't need to worry about getting straight A's in your pre-reqs and taking the TEAS!

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't appear that money is an issue for you. If that's the case, I suggest going to USF where you are guaranteed a spot. SDSU and CSULB are arguably the two best CSUs for nursing based on number of graduate and NCLEX pass rates. However, CSULB's budget cuts and limited classes are off-putting. They aren't a complete deal breaker though.

I'm a second year CSULB student and if I get in this fall, I will be able to graduate in 4 years if I do the 2-year nursing program. I have friends and know many people who had no trouble getting into science classes. They reserve spots for pre-nursing students for nursing prerequisites. It's possible to graduate in 4 years. Just be proactive and be serious about nursing from the START, and you should be fine.

I think you will be fine with whatever school you choose to attend. Good luck!

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Yeah i just looked into the financial aid that USF offers, and if i'm not mistaken, it would cut down my tuition to about $12k/year. Wish you the best of luck on getting into the program! And thanks for your help! I think i just have to weigh out the pros and cons and wait to make my final decision. I'm still waiting to hear back from UCI and UCLA too. They also have direct entry for freshman into their nursing program.

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If you're correct about your financial aid, I would definitely go for USF :)

I was thinking of applying to the UCI and UCLA program (when I finished my pre-reqs for Cal state requirements) and when I looked at the UC's requirements they make you take a lot more pre-reqs! After I saw that I was like no way am I transferring then taking MORE pre-req classes. Good luck though, it is really good to be accepted into a program out of high school!

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USF, graduate in 4 years. If money is not the issue, you gain experience right away as a new grad, make money to pay loans. It's a good school. You have to pass HESI before you can graduate. You do your clinical rotations at good hospitals.My dd graduating in May! yehey!

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CSUs are impacted, no guarantees. Some take lotteries, after you fulfill your pre reqs. Some wait many years, 4 years just to get in the program.If money is the issue, try to get your pre reqs done, re-apply at nursing schools after. USF accepts transfers as long as your pre reqs are done.

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