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Discussion

Selecting a Grad Program

I have submitted one graduate school application (Hunter College's MSN/MPH) so far and I am slated to submit two more in the coming month. For those of you who are currently applying too OR those already enrolled in a graduate program, how did you decide which program was best for you. I earned a 3.0 in my diploma program (I had a 3.3 in my undergraduate program) and I currently have, after six courses, a 4.0 in my BSN program. I did well on the GRE (above 1200). I am debating how important it is to apply to a "name" school. I can understand the importance of doing that IF you are applying to business, law, or medical school, but I'm not sure it really matters in nursing. I should note that the other two programs and possibly one or two more I am considering are for master's in public health programs and not nursing. As a nurse with an MPH, I feel that we bring something different "to the plate" than someone with no health care background who has earned an MPH. Therefore, I don't know how important the name of the school is. I would like to apply to Columbia, but the price tag is daunting. Any input would be great!

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Try looking around the forum - there was recently a discussion about this very issue. I will post if I find the link. I don't think it matters so much as finding a good program that fits your needs, both educational and financial.

I am debating how important it is to apply to a "name" school.

I had the same thoughts. Here's my take. I have a 3.97 undergrad with my BSN and currently a 4.00 in grad school (MSN/FNP)-graduate in May. I figured with these grades I'm going to Johns Hopkins or Duke for the DNP program-the only 2 real name brands out there for distance ed DNP. Over the last 6 months or so, I started asking, why? Don't get me wrong, a degree from a Lamborghini brand name type school is all good, but to me, the people-not the brand name makes the quality and integrity of a program.

After some reflection I chose USI, not because they are listed as #200 on US News & World Report graduate school list (which is really a bogus and shoddy way to evaluate anything, much less graduate schools) but because of the quality and integrity of the people who run and teach the program.

Hope this helps.

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I had the same thoughts. Here's my take. I have a 3.97 undergrad with my BSN and currently a 4.00 in grad school (MSN/FNP)-graduate in May. I figured with these grades I'm going to Johns Hopkins or Duke for the DNP program-the only 2 real name brands out there for distance ed DNP. Over the last 6 months or so, I started asking, why? Don't get me wrong, a degree from a Lamborghini brand name type school is all good, but to me, the people-not the brand name makes the quality and integrity of a program.

After some reflection I chose USI, not because they are listed as #200 on US News & World Report graduate school list (which is really a bogus and shoddy way to evaluate anything, much less graduate schools) but because of the quality and integrity of the people who run and teach the program.

Hope this helps.

I'm still torn. It's very difficult to assess the quality and integrity of a program until you are enrolled and, well, at that point, it's too late to switch. A highly ranked program (U.S. News or otherwise) does, to me, mean something. I have asked several master's-prepared nurses if they feel that a "name" school matters in nursing and they all felt that is didn't. At the same time, if I want to complete my, say, capstone project on HIV/AIDS symptom management in rural Lesotho, programs receiving a lot of research money are going to make it more feasible to do that. UGH! TOO MANY DECISIONS!

Minstrel- In that case, you might want to look at the faculty members' research projects for each school, to see if any of them have a strong background in HIV/AIDS. That will give you an idea of where you will get the most support in this area, and who is getting the funding. Look under the faculty research section of each school's website, or you may be able to view their CVs.

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