panda2bnurse3

I went to 4 year and then did my pre recs at community. As someone who has experienced both I'd say community is the way to go. Professors care more, it's less BS "weeding" classes and smaller class sizes. Plus obviously cheaper. I wish I would have done the community college route instead of being suckered into a big league college. I would not, however, trade my experiences in the dorms and with activities i had my first few years (study abroad, clubs, sorority, student manager etc). But you can always do those the last two years if you want and have time. Good luck!

Yes SMU isn't a super easy school to get into but I will say that it is one of the least competitive. Trust me, I've looked at all the ca absn programs. Smu had tons more requirements though. But I will say that the least competitive schools compensate for that by being expensive to attend. THEY WANT YOUR MONEY (and yeah, they are on rolling acceptance). As for who determines loans I think that it is ridiculous that additional nursing BSN s are categorized in undergrad bachelor's loan levels. Obviously nursing school is expensive but the government should look at the benefit of graduating with a RN BSN. My friend at smu told me that the default rate on loans after graduation is 0%. And most absn programs result in a job afterward. So my complaint comes from the fact that there is no compensation for these positive results when programs cost so much and don't qualify for additional government funding (plus loans and private loans aren't very helpful when you have had adverse credit history - and if you are anything like me (where mommy and daddy didn't pay for your education), then it's likely that you don't have a perfect credit profile. And getting into nursing is going to help change that and guarantee a job of sorts. So why can't nursing school, which is more expensive than other programs and pretty much guarantees a payoff, be classified into the medical category for direct loan funding?

Are you attending an absn program or have you? If you, where and how are you getting by?

Thank you so much for the great info! I will check that out. Amanda

Good point. I am looking into other more cost efficient programs such as those offered at the CS level.

Hi all! Can anyone share any of their experiences with applying to/being accepted into an ABSN program in CA, please? (especially private universities). Any advice on how to fund (especially private) programs? Thanks a bunch! Amanda

Hey all! I have a question for those of you in the SMU ABSN program or who are planning to apply. HOW THE HELL DID YOU/ARE YOU AFFORDING THIS PROGRAM? I don't know about anyone else here, but I am from a low income (my only parent is retired) family and have used most of my grant and loan money for my first undergrad degree. Are you taking out private $50,000+ loans or did you save that or have a parent willing to co-sign/ offer up the money? I am a competitive applicant but it is NOT FAIR that despite being of quality, I simply cannot afford to get into a private ABSN program. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, PLEASE! Amanda

Hey all, Just curious if anyone has any advice on how to pay for a second BS when private loans aren't really an option? I mean, who isn't in debt after finishing a FIRST BA/BS?!!! I feel like the programs that aren't so incredibly competitive make up for that fact by charging 50k - 75k, which (unless you are an heiress), is absolutely ridiculous. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU! Amanda

Hey guys, Has anyone been accepted into the CS Stanislaus ABSN program? If so, (or even if you are just applying), would you mind sharing your stats (GPA, experience, letters etc), pretty please? I go to UC Davis and have a 3.1 in undergrad and 3.6 in my sciences/pre-recs. But Davis isn't an easy school and I wonder if that is a factor in the application process. Also, any advice on how to pay for a second (or in my case, third) Bachelor's degree? Any advice would be greatly appreciated for any ABSN programs! THANK YOU! Amanda

Hi 3shaaa, Penny, Sophiaw, M1n2o3, Sno21mp, Krista: Congrats (even if it's late)! Would you mind sharing your stats, pretty please? Thanks a ton!!!!!! Amanda

Hey all, Congrats to those that were accepted! I was just wondering if anyone who was accepted or who applied/is going to apply wouldn't mind sharing their stats, PRETTY PLEASE? Also, how are you all paying for this program? Thanks a bunch!

Help! Has anyone else noticed that universities keep dumping their ABSN programs and lighting fire to their entry level masters programs? Every time I find a program that I like and that isn't $75,000 to $100,000 (like SMU, Cal Baptist and Azusa), I find out that the university NO LONGER offers the program anymore. I will finish my psychology and English BAs in a year and most of the programs require I have my degree in September (not possible) so I have to wait an entire 9 months just to apply! And if the university does offer year round admissions its usually due to the fact that they are a private university that charges your first born to attend. I don't know about any of you, but I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth and my first BAs already cost a good amount. My friend who got into the ABSN SMU program in Sacramento was booted out in her 9th month (3/4 of the way into the program) because her private loan lender (Wells Fargo) decided that she needed a co-signer! YEAH RIGHT! Do you know how hard it is to ask someone to jump onto a 50k student loan with you??! This is insane. I have done all my pre-recs for nursing, will have a bonafide degree from the 6th best public university in the country and I can't afford to do the actual job I want because programs are closing left and right or are becoming extraordinarily expensive to pay for because most of them are private! Bachelor's degrees only allow for a 57k Federal loan lifetime limit and I already used a good deal of that for my 4-year degree. How the hell are you supposed to qualify for a 75k loan for a private university when you just got done with your first BA and are already broke and in debt? On top of that, if it isn't a private university, it is a public that takes 2 years or more to complete just a Bachelor's. So I looked into the ELMN and Long Beach, Sonoma and Dominquez Hills have discontinued their programs, which were within a decent time frame (whereas the others are 4 year programs). Cal LA requires you apply for their master's program and are first considered a BS student for the first year so that you only qualify for 12,500 in federal loans and have to take out supplemental private loans. I am very frustrated and don't know what to do at this point. All I know is that I can't take out a 50-75k loan and I don't want to be in school until I'm 33. I want to pay off the loans I already have and actually make some money in the field I've worked so hard to get into. ARG! Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone gotten into a decently timed and affordable program in CA?