Picking a college

[GCR289]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this board and am finding the information hear so useful! I'm 17 years old and entering my senior year in high school and with that comes all the decisions about college. A month ago, I was undecided about a major but thinking of nursing, and now I feel that that is really the place for me for various reasons. The more I read about people's experiences, good or bad, I feel like it would be a really good fit. In the long term, I'd like to be a neonatal nurse, but being that I have no experience that is obviously up for change.

Anyway, I like in NY and my sister is in college in Boston. She is entering her junior year but has already been accepted into Boston University's medical school and so she'll be up there for a while longer. I love Boston and ideally would love to go to college there. My sister and I could live together once I get to my sophomore year and that would definitely help my parent's with expenses considering the cost of college education now.

Anyway, one of the schools I am looking into is Northeastern University. That is so far the only one, other than BU, that I'd really like to attend in Boston. Outside of Boston I'm looking at NYU (it might be a bit of a reach but the data that my high school supplies us with has people with my same GPA and SAT scores getting in there...however I don't know if it makes a difference applying to the nursing school), George Washington University, and possibly Fairfield. Some of the other colleges I have looked at are Loyola, Fordham, Providence, and American.

The reason that Northeastern is so high on my list is because of the co-op. I think that supplies students with a great experience in building their resume in their intended field before graduation as well as networking. But I don't know much about the programs of each of the schools I am applying to. When I visit them all again, or for the first time, in the next coming months, what questions should I ask to compare each of the colleges? Are there any websits I can look at that compare colleges with a nursing school/major?

I would appreciate any information!

Gaby

[LMRN10]

Unfortunately, I didn't enter College right out of High School like I had planned...I took 10 years off!! But in my opinion, the internet is an ok source, but really won't give you all of the information that you need. When you actually visit the school and attend informational meetings, that is when you will need to make your analysis of the schools and decide which is the best fit for you. I would say definitely check out the internet and see what you can find (because you will get some info), but in my experience, it is when you actually meet with someone that you get most of your information.

Good luck to you!!

[JaxiaKiley]

I think these forums are a great place to find information. You might try checking into the state forums and posting your questions there. Good luck!

[BeccaznRN, RN]

A question I would definitely ask of any nursing school is the ratio of students to instructors, particularly in the clinical setting. Some other good questions might be what hospitals the school has affiliations with (to get an idea of what facilities you will do your clinicals in) and the school's NCLEX pass rate.

As far as websites go, I would start with the state board of nursing's website for each state you are considering attending school in. Most sites will tell you approved nursing programs and sometimes even the NCLEX pass rate of each school. While it may not compare the schools, it would be a good place to start your research.

Best of luck to you!