Philadelphia vs San Fransisco vs. Baltimore

[Icenurse]

Hi there american nurses

I´m an Icelandic RN, and I´m looking at graduate schools. I´m going to take my master´s degree fall 2008 but i´m having trouble picking out wich city i should go to. I already found programs in penn university, ucsf and university of baltimore. Now I have to pick one to apply to.

My problem is that I have never been to America. I have a family and I want to pick a city that is the most family oriented, if you know what I mean? Wich city is the best one to live in??

All advice would be really helpful. I know that there are pro´s and cons in every city, but, please try to help me.

I´m sorry for any misspelling on my part:idea:

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

hi

I think a lot depends on what you want from the area like weather, activities, lifestyle and what you can afford

[Katnip, RN]

Living near Baltimore, I'd have to say it's my least favorite city. I know there are areas that are improving, but I really don't like it at all. There is a small, very limited subway there, otherwise public transportation is limited to buses. Public schools are considered the worst in the state. However, the nursing grad school there is very good.

My friends who have lived in San Francisco loved it. It is a beautiful city, but they also moved away when they wanted to have kids.

I don't know about Penn State at all and don't know much about Philly either.

Is there any way at all for you to visit the cities before deciding? Or at least look up websites for demographics, school performances, and crime rates.

[Daye]

All of these places are so different. Economic, housing as well as diverse in climate and culture setting. I believe that you will get a very good education from any of these Universities as they all have a good reputation.

[Daye]

All of these areas are so different. Housing, economics, culture and climate. Alll of these Universities have excellent reputations and you will be able to get a very good education at any of them.

[suzanne4, RN]

Another thing to consider and this should be a very large issue. If you are going to be coming to the US strictly to attend school as you would be with the F-1 status, your tuition costs will be about three times more. You would be much better off getting a job and going thru the immigration process and then you could have your employer pay most of your tuition, if not all. You would be getting a salary and attending class at the same time. Much better for you. You are still going to need to go thru the CES process thru CGFNS for evaluation of your credentials, for licensure as well as schooling. Many of the programs are now requiring that you have an RN license for that state as well.

And it is not just tuition, rents in the San Francisco area are some of the highest in the nation.

[Beggar♂]

You should apply to all of the programs. The competition for graduate programs is intense. UCSF, for example, is one of the most competitive universities in the country. You should certainly apply to each.

Beyond that, I'm partial to the SF area. I've lived most of my life within 100 miles of SF but have visited many other places. I'd not choose to live anywhere else.

Neither Philly nor Baltimore/DC would be high on my list of alternative locations to Northern California.