HELP! UC Irvine vs Sonoma University

bseesahm · Apr 4, 2010

I'd say UC Irvine. It is a nice campus and you will have a good college experience with lots of opportunities for different activities. John Wayne airport is only a few minutes away so a weekend trip home is pretty easy. There are many good hospitals in the near area allowing for a variety of clinical options when you reach that point.

Where do you hope to live after garduation? On the one hand, employers know the caliber of students from their local school. On the other hand, yes, a degree from a UC is more prestigious than a degree from a CSU school. That is not to say that the actual education is better from one or another, just what perception is. That perception will matter if yuo are planning on working outside the area of the school after graduation.

Since you have already been accepted to multiple schools includiong SDSU (very competitive) and UCI, I'm guessing your application from HS looks really good and you will do well in college also. If so, you shouldn't need to worry about getting into nursing after you complete your prerequisites, if that is what the school requires. Just keep doing what your doing and you'll do great! Congrats on your upcoming graduation and enjoy your college years!

terralinda · Apr 5, 2010

Thank you very much, everybody! Irvine it is. I confirmed my acceptance over the weekend.

Power of One · Apr 6, 2010

what were your stats? i applied to uci's nursing program and was unfortunately denied.

gawldangit · Apr 7, 2010

Sounds like you've already made your decision, but here's my 2 cents: I'm currently in the nursing program at Sonoma State. Yes, a UC is more prestigious than a state school, but not if you don't have to apply to get into the program. Sonoma gets 100's of applications for their nursing program every year, and only 24 get in. Employers know that (or I hope they do!). Plus, if Irvine's program is new, I'd be worried that the faculty don't have their connections in clinical settings worked out. This can be critical--I find that clinical experiences can hinge on the relationship the instructor has with the location. This affects both your clinical experience and the connections you make for possible future employment.

But then again, I'm biased!

terralinda · Apr 7, 2010

But you do need to apply to get into UCI nursing program. The program is small - 50 students.

The program is 5 years old (not much I agree) but it is accredited by CBRN and CCNE and it is based in UC Irvine medical center, a big hospital, the main hospital for Orange county. It has like a thousand RN working there.

I don't know, I am doubting everything again....

jennafezz · Apr 7, 2010

Ok, since you do have to apply to the nursing program at UCI...

If I were you, I would go somewhere where I would most be able to focus well and get good grades. It is also helpful if the school makes it easy to get into the prerequisite classes. Even if you go to UCI, by the time you are done with your pre-reqs, you will be applying to lots of other programs besides UCI's. If you don't go to UCI for prereqs, you can still apply there and go there for the nursing program.

If you think staying close to home would help you do well in school, I would do that.. if you think moving far away from home would help more, I would do that.. etc.

terralinda · Apr 7, 2010

No, it is my understanding that you get into Nursing in UCI from the beginning. I had to fill all kind of additional applications and stuff. How they describe it is that you get into 4 years of continuous study, continuos program. Same thing in UCLA. Very different from state schools. Or am I wrong?

jennafezz · Apr 7, 2010

Oh okay! You said "But you do need to apply to get into UCI nursing program." in your last message so I thought you meant you have to apply to it later, since you sounded more confused.

Seriously, if you're already in the program, I would just stick with it. By the time you've graduated, their nursing program will be nine or ten years old and probably more established.

terralinda · Apr 7, 2010

Thank you very much!

UCI&USFMom · Apr 17, 2010

My daughter is a Junior at UCI Nursing Science, she is in the first batch who started out as freshman for the program. Very competitive to get in, 700+ applicants and they took 25. You are already IN the program even though you are starting as a freshman taking your pre-reqs. They have 25 slots available for transferees (UCI students & other schools) as a Junior, I think.

So, I must congratulate you for getting into the program.

I suggest take some courses in the summer if you need refresher classes for Chem/Bio. The great thing about the program is that the staff and counselors make themselves available and meet with you at least twice every quarter to see your progress. It is like a private school, yet a prestigious public school. You also have great clnical instructors. My daughter goes to 2 hospitals for her clinical one of them is at the new UCI Medical Center.

So many opportunities like the NSSA (Nursing Science Student Association) to expose yourself in leadership. Plenty of opportunities, there's a clinic for the under privilege where my daughter volunteers. The med students and nursing students devote their time in volunteering in this unique program. The UCI nursing students helped when the university administers flu shots and H1N1 vaccines.

I also have another daughter who is a nursing student and she chose USF, closer to home. Programs were different, same goal, a BSN.

Good luck!

MJ415 · Apr 22, 2010

Yes- Congratulations indeed!

The prereqs for that nursing program as a transfer student are nearly as rigorous as those for most medical schools (minus Calc and physics).

Keep your attention on the books and you will be well on your way!

terralinda · Apr 22, 2010

Thank you, everybody!