New Student at WCU

[nat.tang.student]

Hi guys!

I'm enrolling at WCU in April 2013. I've compared WCU to a lot of other schools in the OC-LA area and really haven't been able to find another program like it. I've gone through the enrollment process, taken the HESI and registered for classes. I start in about a week but still have some concerns.

After meeting with the school's advisor, fianancial aid, and dean, I've made up my mind to officially enroll and attend the school.

PROS of WCU

-3y3m BSN program (pre reqs included)

-NO waitlisting or petitioning for classes

-Faily easy and quick enrollment process

-New term starts every 10 weeks

-Small and clean campus

-everything included in tuition

-now officially WASC accredited

CONS

-Very unorganized school

-136,000 tuition for the whole BSN program

-crowded

-poor professors that are pretty much good for nothing

-no study area or cafeteria

-stupid parking

I start in about a week but still have a lot of questions and conerns like:

-Will I be able to find a job after I'm done with the school?

-Will I be able to pay back the massive loans?

-Is a BSN that much better than ADN?

-How did previous students manage to pay off the 100k loans? How long will it take?

-Am I able to keep my job and go to school full time?

I did ALL my research on this school and many others. I've only decided to attend this school because of the accelerated BSN program, and because I'm not able to get any of my pre req classes done at CC. I'm still young, so I'm able to explore all my options but if I'm able to finish school earlier, I'd very much rather do that but the cost for this school is a huge concern. I come from a huge single parent family, I have 4 siblings that are also in college, am I able to afford this school? I'm just so nervous that I won't be able to pay this loan off and it will take me a number of years. Right now I'm still living with my parents and really don't have to worry about any other expenses, but I have to think about the future when I'm done with school. I don't plan to still be living at home, I plan on buying a new car and renting out a home or apartment, with a huge loan like this, will I be able to? Will I stuggle to find a job in CA in this economy? Thank you guys for reading, I hope I can get some answers before I start school and it'll be too late.

[travelgurl18]

Personally, I would wait for a less expensive school. With the state of the economy, the fact that new nurse graduates are not finding jobs right away, and the fact that your young I don't think it's a wise choice. I chose to wait for a less expensive school and I am so happy knowing that I will have 70-100k more in my pocket so I can have a bright future with financial security after graduating.

To find out how much your loan payments will be, google "student loan payment calculator" It really opened my eyes!!! Also read many of the threads on here from new grads who are still looking for jobs a year after graduating!

And don't forget about all the interest that is going to be on a loan for $125k !!!

I absolutely understand your frustration at community colleges and eagerness to start nursing school already. But good things come to those who know when to wait.

Best wishes with whatever you choose.