OHSU or U of P?

smk1, LPN · Apr 19, 2005

i would sit down with an advisor at u of p and find out exactly what the catholic religious class requirements are, find out the fine print of the providence scholarship, because this is exactly why i don't want to go this route as well. I can't move my family to california or anywhere else because my husband has a business where we are. Personally i would love to go to ohsu and still may apply but it is very in convenient for me, and the parking issues are atrocious. (Basically no parking for students) and i would have to fight traffic to get there and back. I think you should ask figure out exactly what you would be taking out in loans (if possible) and compare that to 6 months extra of work because of graduating earlier, and of cousre compare the cost of the schools and the fine print on what happens if you don't fulfill your contract with providence. I particularly would be concerened about what your options would be for picking a specialty. Hope something in this helps you. Oh and congrats two getting accepted into to excellent schools!

rambo8 · Apr 19, 2005

Thanks for your reply SMK1! Your advice was helpful. I didn't even consider comparing taking out loans to the extra money I would make from working an extra 6 months. I don't have much time left because I have to reply to both schools this week. The consequences of not fulfilling my contract with providence would be paying them back the money they used to pay for my tuition. And as for choosing my specialty, it would be limited because they need people to be in med-surg. It sounds like you're in quite a predicament yourself because of your husband's business. Personally, I think it would be difficult to take the providence scholarship if you have a family because of the risk of having to move. I heard one woman's husband quit his job and moved with her and the kids to buy a house in the city she was assigned to work for Providence because of the scholarship. That's just one story...I'm sure there are plenty of people who were placed where they wanted to go and that's great. You should definitely apply to ohsu, it couldn't hurt right? What schools have you applied to? I know there is no parking...I plan on taking the bus or max ( I think ohsu students get a free pass). Once again, thanks for the advice...it helped!

futureRN07 · Apr 20, 2005

Thanks for your reply SMK1! Your advice was helpful. I didn't even consider comparing taking out loans to the extra money I would make from working an extra 6 months. I don't have much time left because I have to reply to both schools this week. The consequences of not fulfilling my contract with providence would be paying them back the money they used to pay for my tuition. And as for choosing my specialty, it would be limited because they need people to be in med-surg. It sounds like you're in quite a predicament yourself because of your husband's business. Personally, I think it would be difficult to take the providence scholarship if you have a family because of the risk of having to move. I heard one woman's husband quit his job and moved with her and the kids to buy a house in the city she was assigned to work for Providence because of the scholarship. That's just one story...I'm sure there are plenty of people who were placed where they wanted to go and that's great. You should definitely apply to ohsu, it couldn't hurt right? What schools have you applied to? I know there is no parking...I plan on taking the bus or max ( I think ohsu students get a free pass). Once again, thanks for the advice...it helped!

I've had the same reservations about taking the Providence Scholarship as you. There is no gaurentee what city you're going to be placed in and you do have to pay taxes on the scholarship which is taken out of your paycheck. The issues with OHSU is mainly the parking but I looked into it and as a student you can get a carpool pass if you can find someone else to ride with and it only costs around $30 a term. They also offer emergency transportation if you have to leave campus and they will pick up the cost. I was lucky enough to have the decision made for me though. I got waitlisted at UofP and I got accepted to OHSU so that is where I'm going to go. Plus, I get to start school in July as opposed to waiting until January. As far as taking out loans for OHSU. It is about $150 a credit which comes out to around $7500 a year and it's only two years. If it was me and I had the choice I would definitely go with OHSU. If you do decide on OHSU I will see you at orientation in June :) !

longroadahead · Apr 20, 2005

I'm sort of biased for OHSU and will be attending starting this July, but I just wanted to point out that their tuition will be increasing (dramatically, from what I hear too). When you sent your letter back and checked the box saying you'll be attending did you read the line where it says tuition will be increasing?

I imagine it will be at least $200 a credit...

I'm not trying to scare anyone - just letting you know... :uhoh3:

edcampbe · Apr 22, 2005

I chose to attend the University of Portland. Actually, I only applied to U of P. My wife was accepted to both OHSU and U of P, but chose to attend U of P. I have worked for Providence for the past four years, so I know a little bit about the Providence Scholarship.

The facts:

- When you graduate, Providence credits an extra $500 to your paycheck every two weeks, then instantly deducts it. However, currently Providence Scholars make $25 / hr base pay + and shift differentials ($1.75 for evenings and $3.50 for nights). Working 36 hours * 52 weeks, at $26.75 (assuming evening shift), you'll make $50,076. Of couse, your adjusted gross income will be $63,076 (an extra $13,000 they pay you each year for three years) to account for the Providence Scholarship repayment. I talked with a tax advisor, and he thinks it is possible to deduct the entire amount (all $13,000 each year), so you won't have to pay any additional taxes. Even if you did have to pay taxes, it would be maybe $3,000. Far below the cost of OHSU.

- There is only one theology class that is required at University of Portland, and it is comparative religions. It is basically a course which examines several religions in brief. I contacted my advisor and discovered I can take an online theology class from Chemeketa CC this summer to fulfill the upper division religion requirement.

- It is possible to not be assigned one of the large hospitals in Portland (Providence St. Vincent's or Providence Portland); however, there are several surrounding suburbs with Providence hospitals....Newberg, Milwaukie, and Mount Hood to name a few. You can definitely stay in the greater Portland area.

- I think OHSU is an academically sound program, but I've heard rave reviews about University of Portland as well. Both programs are nice.

Hope this helps!

Evan

smk1, LPN · Apr 22, 2005

Thanks for your reply SMK1! Your advice was helpful. I didn't even consider comparing taking out loans to the extra money I would make from working an extra 6 months. I don't have much time left because I have to reply to both schools this week. The consequences of not fulfilling my contract with providence would be paying them back the money they used to pay for my tuition. And as for choosing my specialty, it would be limited because they need people to be in med-surg. It sounds like you're in quite a predicament yourself because of your husband's business. Personally, I think it would be difficult to take the providence scholarship if you have a family because of the risk of having to move. I heard one woman's husband quit his job and moved with her and the kids to buy a house in the city she was assigned to work for Providence because of the scholarship. That's just one story...I'm sure there are plenty of people who were placed where they wanted to go and that's great. You should definitely apply to ohsu, it couldn't hurt right? What schools have you applied to? I know there is no parking...I plan on taking the bus or max ( I think ohsu students get a free pass). Once again, thanks for the advice...it helped!

i have applied to calrk college in vancouver and plan to transfer after to WSU vancouver to complete the BSN. However I also am going to apply to LCC and Mt hood community college because they also have straight transfer programs to BSN schools (WSU and OHSU). First choice is Clark because of reputation and convenience and it is where I am doing all of the prereqs for bachelors transfer and for RN school. Does the providence scholarship disclose the interest rate you would have to pay back the money at? (forgot to ask you that before, so something else to be aware of..) Good luck with your choices. It is such an exciting and stressful time with such big decisions.