MovingBacktoIL

I just want to add a few thoughts - The Evanston North Shore area is a great place to live - that's why we're planning on moving back once we sell our house here in PA. Take advantage of all the things available in the area. We didn't realize what a treasure the Chicago area was until we left. Here in South Central PA, there's not much. Sure, the view is nice, but it's the little things. Public transportation, the ability to go to several museums, the neighborhoods. I could kill right now for a real Chicago Hot dog or Polish sausage, an Italian Beef sandwich, or a Barbeque Chicken dinner. *wine It's really sad, but around here, the side dishes are mostly "salads", like potato salad, coleslaw, broccoli coleslaw (very good, but they add cheese sometimes), macaroni salad, etc. Vegetables are rather rare at diners here. :rotfl: I gotta stop now, my heart is breaking.... anyone want to buy a nice house in Gettysburg? Michelle

I don't really plan on retiring, frankly. I'm in the social security age group that will have to postpone SS to age 67, anyway. That will probably change in a year or two to age 70. I'm not so much into administrative, but as I get older, that may suit my abilities more. The admissions page says "teachers and employers" for references. My friends and co-workers would gladly write great letters of recommendation.

Hi all, I've got quite a list of questions and a life scenario to impart, so beware! Please be patient! I am in my late 40's, and I'm tired of trying to fit my square peg career into round holes. I have worked mostly in clerical jobs, both in manufacturing and in the life insurance industry. I wanted to be a vet but that never happened. I did get a BS in Physics, and it was several years ago. My husband and I are selling our house in PA, and will move back to the Chicago area. He is on disability, and cannot work. I, therefore, am the sole provider for the household income. I wanted to find a new career that is in demand, and I've chosen Nursing. I like people, I'm not afraid to learn, I'm willing to work hard. I have briefly looked over the programs at Rush, Loyola, DePaul and UIC for the Accelerated Programs. One of my concerns is this - it's been years since I've been in school, and I've "matured" a lot since that time. My GPA wasn't that great (3.41 out of 5), primarily due to lower scores in my physics core. How obsessed are the admissions departments about grades? I'm also rather "low" on references - our lifestyle is rather reclusive due to my husband's disability. My last boss was a hard-a$$ perfectionist, and no reference is forthcoming there. I see many programs requiring certain classes be taken prior to admissions (like Organic or Biochemistry, Medical Terminology and such), and I would expect if I do well there, then I may be able to wrangle a letter or letters from the teachers. If any of you have been in my shoes in this department, please let me know! My third concern is costs - if/when we sell our house, we'd have some money from that, but it's going to have to go towards paying bills and such, plus for our future retirment. What has been your experience there? I'd like to try towards the top of the pile, but Rush costs $47K roughly (from what I've read, and provided I'm accepted in the first place). Online courses sound attractive, but is there a bias against those classes? I expect I'm going to have to work a bit, albeit perhaps part time just to maintain living expenses. Any advice there? BTW, there's just me and my husband, no kids. I'm open to advice and suggestions! Michelle

There's enough parking there, I don't think you'll have a problem. A lot of apartments, too, although not sure if you'd consider them expensive. (We lived in Evanston & Wilmette for many years - moved to PA, now we're moving back to IL). Should you need public transportation, the CTA operates the Purple Line which has service to Evanston, in fact, it stops right outside the hospital. There is a bus line that services the area. Check out http://www.rtachicago.com/ for all your transportation needs. Hope this helps. Michelle