Psuche

Hey folks, the USNews 2016 Best Nursing School rankings are out, and UCSF has risen even further in the rankings! Overall, they've jumped two spots up to #2 (and in psych, they're tied again for #1!)

Congratulations all who were admitted! Those who were not yet admitted, even having interviewed speaks highly of your qualifications and prospects. I'm in for PMHNP and although I'm choosing to attend another great program, Yale is an amazing university, where I'm sure those of you attending will flourish!!!

In for psych! Congratulations to everyone admitted and also to everyone who made it to the interview stage. My heart leapt a bit with excitement (or alternatively, broke a bit in sadness) in reading each of your admissions results here. For those of you not joining this year's entering class, my gosh, making it this far means you must be ridiculously well-qualified, which is to say that a bright future surely awaits you.

They told me it's need-based (specifically, based on the FAFSA's EFC).

I dunno, if he said he's working on them now, then that would suggest that he got the approval from that person. Did I just imagine it, or didn't I read somewhere on here that one group of applicants received notice at 8 or 9 at night? I've still got some hope that today's the day

If my fingers get any more crossed, I'll sprain something!

Reeeeaaalllyyy hoping today's the day. Just thinking back on all these months (and more).... all the winding paths leading up to this. Well, fingers crossed for us all!

Ok so I spoke with the Housing office a few days ago and came away with the overall impression that housing there is pricey but not stratospheric. They have a few on-campus apartments that usually come up when ETPers will be starting, and they recommend having your housing application in by the end of March. They choose by the priority of distance (international students first, then those farthest within the U.S., etc.) The cost for these CUSON places, however, is not hugely below market, so not getting one would not be the end of the world. They also have a list of rental agents whom they recommend. Sounded doable.

That's so interesting, DoulaMe. Yes, I can see how the numbers would be become more similar with the 3 year program length for midwifery. For the psych specialty, the program's 2 years long at Vanderbilt, making it less expensive there for that specialty. Midwifery's probably more though, especially if it's longer and has clinical relocations. The psych specialty doesn't seem to require any of the moves or relocations you mentioned, but yes, I can see how that would be something to consider with a specialty that would.

@Half Windsor - Oh wow, that's true. You may be right!

Hoping, hoping, hoping.... The interview day was mostly focused on the interview itself, but still, I was very impressed by the school and what it has to offer. They can afford not to chase after candidates, so there wasn't a lot of salesmanship. It's just an amazing program in an amazing city!

You're welcome, SnoozyD :) Your posts have brought me many ideas to noodle upon, as well as a bunch of smiles! I can say that the Columbia tuition numbers were a relative relief when I heard them too. Still, compared to some other programs on the radar (such as Vanderbilt and BC), the Ivies do end up leading toward about $100K more debt (just when we ran our own numbers/estimates). This has less to do with tuition differences than it has to do with the differences in housing costs and lost income/opportunity costs (due to the Ivies being half a year or a full year longer). This can be worth it, but it's just important data to consider before "buying." Vanderbilt, for instance, might not be quite as highly ranked as Yale, but it's clear that in recent years, their overall ranking on USNews has been steadily climbing, now being at #16 in the National rankings. It's also in Nashville, which is considered a family-friendly and up-and-coming city according to several "best city" rankings. Columbia, UCSF, Yale, Vandy, Duke, Hopkins, Penn, Boston College, etc.... These are all such incredible schools that I have to pause sometimes in wonder that schools of this caliber are even considerations. In other words, no matter where we all end up, it feels like we're super-lucky. I'm excited to see where we all decide to go. Anyhow.... Happy deciding, everybody!

Ah, right, I spoke with them on the phone. They were pleasant and straightforward, and frankly, this has been my general impression in talking with nursing schools. Gotta say, while nothing's perfect, so far I'm loving the nursing world. Happy Valentine's Day everybody!

According to the financial aid office, the aforementioned $280K figure is the average debt load *including* any previous loans (which means Divalicious was right). Also according the financial aid office, the average total of tuition and fees for the ETP year is somewhere the high 50s to low 60s, again due to grant several folks have mentioned, which is variable and need-based (using the FAFSA's EFC, it seems). In the years thereafter, tuition and fees are approximately 50K/yr., but as others have noted, apparently there are grants that could lower that a bit too. That puts my total tuition and fees estimate for the 2.5 yrs. (not including the high cost of living) at approximately $135K. This is above, but not radically above, the cost of similar programs (not including Penn, which appears to be even costlier).

As I sat here expressing some surprise and lament that they haven't notified us, my significant other just made a good point (as usual). It may be a blessing in disguise that they didn't notify us so soon to Valentine's Day, because for many people, the news will be negative, thereby putting a damper on the long weekend for lots of folks. Anyhow, I too have been checking email and this website frequently, but I guess it's time to go enjoy some free time before classes might be starting. Sending hopeful thoughts and some solidarity to us all!

To access DCBW's recommended link, which keeps getting cut off (on mobile, at least), I Googled "pmhnp-2011rds.pdf" and followed the top result. Given the data there, it's a great recommendation, DCBW!

Yes, this was the same on my letter and application page, so I'm curious about this as well. I'm still feeling this sense of gratitude, which is also for you all here. I followed this nursing forum for many months before creating an account, so now when I see any of us get a step closer to our dreams (in whatever way, shape, or form), I get a thrill out of that too!

Thanks DCBW, with the stats you mentioned earlier in this thread (167 verbal!), I'd imagine your personal statement is strong. I'm feeling optimistic for your chances!

Yes, the email linked to an update that I was admitted into the psych specialty, so it looks as if those notifications are coming out. Best of luck everybody!

Woohoo, they sent some more decisions today! :) Best of luck to those of you checking email and keeping fingers crossed.... Also, in terms of neighborhoods, I've heard people talk about East Nashville being artsy and fun.

From what I was reading, any tuition increase is not yet set in stone (especially with Gov. Brown opposing any tuition hike for the next three years), and even if it were somehow to happen, might only have a marginal effect on an incoming MEPN student's overall costs. The more I looked into it, surprisingly, the less of a factor it became. Also, I agree that the overall cost is still low compared to the private schools, and given the amazing things I keep hearing from their grads about the program and their job prospects (100% upon graduation in some specialties), I'd consider an offer from UCSF to be huge.

Looks like University of New England offers this: UNE Online Pathophysiology Course | University of New England Online Hope it helps.