Here. There. Where?!

My 2cents - go to Chico for the "college experience" but keeps your summers free to work and earn $ for that extra expense of living at school.

Thank you adjappleton. I think that is what I am leaning towards.

First off, obviously go wherever u are accepted. How good do you feel about your chances of getting into sac and Chico?

With that being said, if u get accepted to all three I'd stay in Sacramento. I'm a student of the sac state program, so I'm somewhat biased, but that's not why I'm saying sac.

When I first started college I wanted that experience so I left Sacramento (my hometown) and went to SFSU. Although it was a great experience it was overwhelmingly expensive, and the loans I had to take out were ridiculous. I immediately moved back to Sacramento where j have been able to be debt free ever since.

The job market for new grads is not great. This is why I don't think a bunch of loans to get a bachelors is such a good idea. You don't know how long it could be before you could start paying them back.

I think I am on the border for Sac, my points are 65 or 66. However, they had a very competitive Fall semester that may raise Spring unusually high. I'm not so worried about Chico. Do you enjoy the sac state program, do you feel like the teachers are good and you get adequate clinical opportunities?

As far as student loans go, I have not taken out any yet (thank goodness). However, I am budgeting about 5,500 maximum for the entire length of my program. I think this will be manageable even if I don't get hired right out of school. I am hoping that a connection I have will pay off, my friends mom who works for Kaiser said she would hire me when I graduate. Fingers crossed.

Your right 5500 is not bad at all, and if you already have a connection even better. Sounds like you have options.

And I very much enjoy the program. It's well organized and quite doable. My clinical experience so far has been great.

You'd be very lucky to score a job at kaiser. I heard that they have not hired new grads for though??

That's nothing! I'll have to take out about 25,000!

25,000? Are you moving as well? Do you have any financial aid options available to you k2115?

@nurseinthemaking20 - Yes, I think 5,500 would be reasonable. However, I just checked my financial aid awards and Sac is offering me the least with about 2700 pell grant and no state grant. Chico is offering the most, which would actually put money in my pocket instead of me picking up the difference like at sac.

As for Kaiser, it would be an amazing opportunity. She is the hiring manager, I am not sure what department she works for, but it would be in San Diego (not the worst place to be stuck). I am just trying to not bother her about it until my graduation is around the corner and then bring the subject back up. I just want to take financial precautions in case that doesn't pan out :/

Glad to hear the clinical is manageable. I'm excited to start.

No I live here already, but my daughters preschool will be $560 a month alone. I can get about 2500 a semester, not enough to cover tuition.

Oh, okay. I read a lot of information saying the max you should take out in student loans is the amount you would make in one year of your career. So you are actually well under that amount. I don't think 25,000 is an extraordinary amount to take out, but I when you get it maybe put the lump sum into a high yield account to at least make a couple hundred in interest. (I use AMEX high-yield savings) I hope I get to meet you at Chico!