Rush GEM Fall 2021

redivy, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2021

@Robin D Sorry I don't. I live in Cali and didn't apply to UIC. I would assume that UIC would be similar to here though in that in-state tuition is cheaper than out-of-state or private schools. For example comparing MECN programs in-state UCLA ~$42K versus private University of San Diego which was ~$105K...

And I was also referring to me having to move from Cali to Chicago and would have to deal with all the expense in moving and getting set-up. Trying to sell my house in Cali, etc. Lots of extra unrelated "fees"

t_ericaw · Mar 8, 2021

7 minutes ago, Robin D said:

@redivy do you know how much the difference in tuition is for both UIC and Rush? I couldn't find anything about extra fees other than cost per credit hour on Rush's website. When I did the math for it, it seemed like UIC was more expensive than Rush (minus any fees for Rush).

I was just doing a little research into that information because I was curious and it looks like:

Rush: 6 semesters (74 credits) 1035 per credit with fees included = $76,590

UIC: 7 semesters (77 credits) Base per semester 5935 + 4484 (nursing charge) = $72,933

If anyone notices I made a mistake please fell free to correct my information.

t_ericaw · Mar 8, 2021

I just wanted to add that the 72K for UIC is based on in-state tuition numbers. Here is the chart I found:

msy2 · Mar 8, 2021

For UIC's Out-of-State tuition, which what I'll be looking at if accepted is quite hefty once I calculate it with the other fees:

a. Out of State Tuition - $12,369/ semester x 7semesters = $86583

b. Tuition Differential per semester: $4484/semester = $31,388

c. Graduate Fees Per Semester: 1773/semester x 7 = $12,411

d Assessment per semester: 570/semester x 7 = $3990

Total of Approximately: $134,372 for an out of state student not including books/rent, and other miscellaneous things

I'm not sure if I used the right Range for tuition but I think I did. Let me know if I made any mistakes ?

Rush might be a cheaper option for me just looking at the tuition. Unless their other fees are far greater than that of UIC's.

Robin D · Mar 8, 2021

@t_ericaw yes, I got the same amount when I was researching Rush's cost as well!

When I was doing the math for in-state tuition for UIC, I did the same calculations but I got $87,941. ($5830 + $4406 + $1768 + $559) x 7 semesters
So it is $12,563/semester.

This is the website that I got the numbers from: https://apps.registrar.uic.edu/tuition/grad/graduate-tuition-fall-2019-Spring-2020

t_ericaw · Mar 8, 2021

5 minutes ago, Robin D said:

@t_ericaw yes, I got the same amount when I was researching Rush's cost as well!

When I was doing the math for in-state tuition for UIC, I did the same calculations but I got $87,941. ($5830 + $4406 + $1768 + $559) x 7 semesters
So it is $12,563/semester.

This is the website that I got the numbers from: https://apps.registrar.uic.edu/tuition/grad/graduate-tuition-fall-2019-Spring-2020

Well 76K sounds a lot better than 88K so I'm definitely glad I will be attending Rush this Fall.

@remis58 @redivy

As a Rush graduate, I wanted to add my experience with scholarships at Rush. Rush has a lot of generous donors that help students tremendously with scholarships. I received a large scholarship during both years I was a student; however, I was not offered the scholarship with my acceptance. I was nominated by faculty as were other students in my cohort (almost everyone in my program received some type of scholarship). I know it can be scary looking at the price tag (trust me it keeps me up at night too), but I know that Rush loves their students and philanthropy is constantly looking for donations to help offset tuition costs for students. I tell myself that if 76K is what it costs for me to get a wonderful education, a job that I love, and access to endless opportunities then its definitely worth it in my book. I hope that helps to ease the financial anxiety a little bit.

RoDob · Mar 8, 2021

4 hours ago, t_ericaw said:

Well 76K sounds a lot better than 88K so I'm definitely glad I will be attending Rush this Fall.

@remis58 @redivy

As a Rush graduate, I wanted to add my experience with scholarships at Rush. Rush has a lot of generous donors that help students tremendously with scholarships. I received a large scholarship during both years I was a student; however, I was not offered the scholarship with my acceptance. I was nominated by faculty as were other students in my cohort (almost everyone in my program received some type of scholarship). I know it can be scary looking at the price tag (trust me it keeps me up at night too), but I know that Rush loves their students and philanthropy is constantly looking for donations to help offset tuition costs for students. I tell myself that if 76K is what it costs for me to get a wonderful education, a job that I love, and access to endless opportunities then its definitely worth it in my book. I hope that helps to ease the financial anxiety a little bit.

@t_ericaw When you were first accepted, did you get any scholarships or grants that were need-based in the financial aid package or did they only offer you loans? TYIA!!

t_ericaw · Mar 8, 2021

10 hours ago, RoDob said:

@t_ericaw When you were first accepted, did you get any scholarships or grants that were need-based in the financial aid package or did they only offer you loans? TYIA!!

Once I received my financial aid package I was given a smaller scholarship through the college of health science; however, I want to state that undergrad is different than graduate school when it come to financial aid. I received most my merit based grants through the pell grant and other federal based assistance. But it still wasn’t enough to cover tuition and living expenses so I had to take out loans. Once I received the larger scholarship I was able to cover my tuition and and some of my living expenses, so I was was extremely fortunate.

Each college at Rush is different, as is every individual program, so this is just my experience with the College of Health Sciences BSHS program- the College of Nursing could do things differently. I do know that Rush has opportunities to apply for fellowships that give students accepted a scholarship. Also, if you Google nursing scholarships and loan repayment there are many opportunities available to help offset some of the costs.

RoDob · Mar 8, 2021

@t_ericaw Thank you!! That helps a lot ?.

msy2 · Mar 8, 2021

So I received a response from (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) in regards to scholarships that were offered along with the acceptance. She said that students are automatically considered for a merit scholarship upon acceptance and for a need-based scholarship at the time their financial aid package is created. And she said that they encourage students to apply for scholarships outside of Rush. She sent me this link:

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/_Rush PDFs and Files/Scholarships.pdf

Hope this helps ?

dgn2023 · Mar 8, 2021

On 3/7/2021 at 3:07 PM, redivy said:

@remis58 The cost of these direct entry MSN programs is a bit heart-stopping. I've been accepted to Marquette and UT Austin, waitlisted for Rush. The cost of all of them has me concerned. I also applied to a local state school for an ABSN and am strongly considering accepting an offer there when I hear back on decisions.

I've done some soul searching over the weekend about the whole ABSN vs GEM and I'm just not sure it is worth it -- for me. I am also looking at all the moving and living expenses associated with the GEM programs I've been accepted to and then the pay...how long is it going to take me to earn the extra $30K (just tuition) plus interest. Is it worth it to uproot my family?

I just want to be a bedside, best that I can be, nurse. It's been quite the existential-esque weekend. I say if you get the scholarships go for it, if you don't and you think you're going to stress for the next 2 years about how much you're going to have to pay back go with UIC if you get in. At the end of the day a hospital isn't going to pay you more because your resume says Rush versus UIC...

I am contemplating between an ABSN program that I got accepted into from a private school in northern California versus Rush. The ABSN program is actually a bit more pricey than Rush but as you stated, it is worth the move. I am torn and have been doing quite a bit of soul searching on what I want. As you said, if you are just wanting to be a good nurse perhaps the MSN isn't necessary right now. But at the same time, I am looking at comparable cost but with Rush I have a masters. This is not an easy decision, that is for sure!

wildepanda · Mar 9, 2021

1 hour ago, Deepa Nugent said:

I am contemplating between an ABSN program that I got accepted into from a private school in northern California versus Rush. The ABSN program is actually a bit more pricey than Rush but as you stated, it is worth the move. I am torn and have been doing quite a bit of soul searching on what I want. As you said, if you are just wanting to be a good nurse perhaps the MSN isn't necessary right now. But at the same time, I am looking at comparable cost but with Rush I have a masters. This is not an easy decision, that is for sure!

In my own soul searching, I've come to the conclusion that the masters only matters if you are planning on doing something with it. I don't have immediate plans to go into advanced practice. If or when I get there, perhaps my hospital or employer will be willing to kick in some money for me to get there. In the meantime, the name of the game is the least debt possible in the shortest amount of time, for me.