Is anyone familiar with Baltimore City community college or Prairie State College?

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I'm trying to narrow down my schools and so far due to the massive amounts of waitlists across the country, I've come up with Baltimore City Community College in Baltimore and Prairie State in Chicago heights, IL.

I currently live in Missouri so I will have to relocate no matter what, but ideally I would like to stay as close as possible. However, after making what seemed like many phone calls yesterday to schools across the country, these are the two that didn't have waitlists or outrageous prices.

Ive been researching Prairie State and although I hear that its a great program, the area is not so safe and I'm a single mom of a ten month old baby girl. Is anyone familiar with this area or school?

I dont know too much about Baltimore City CC, but I plan on visiting both schools before I fully commit.

Thanks for your help!! :)

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I went to Prairie State College back in the early 90s. Yes, the school is great. In fact, if Jim White is still running the nursing program there, take as many classes with him as you can get. He's AWESOME! I had him for A&P and both Micros. He also runs the Phi Theta Kappa chapter (honor society). GREAT guy and a wonderful professor!

Yes, the Chicago Heights area is not so great. However, the surrounding neighborhoods outside of Chicago Heights that are still considered in-district aren't too bad. I lived in Park Forest while attending Prairie State (about a 10 to 15 minute drive, depending on traffic). Glenwood is a nice area, but more pricey. There are parts of Chicago Heights that are historical (like Al Capone's old home), so it's not all bad! I got my Associate Degree in Microbiology from Prairie State in 1994.

Good luck with your decision!

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In your research for BCCC, were you checking the out of state tuition? I know many community colleges in Maryland give preference to those that not only live in the state but live in the specific county.

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thank you so much. I would ideally like to go to this school over Baltimore because its much closer to Saint Louis and I want to attend UIC for their MSN program. I figured staying in the area and becoming acclimated with faculty, hospitals and anything else UIC that I can get my hands on will be very beneficial to me.

Do you still live in the Chicago area? I'm planning on visiting the school for myself maybe next weekend to judge the area.

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yeah, actually I was told that as long as i attained a state ID with a Baltimore address(I'm not planning on applying for the Jan. 2013, but the august 2013 cohort) before I apply, then i should be fine.

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