Should I wait? or should i Go?

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Hey guys and gals, so I am in a predicament.. Im just about finish my pre-reqs this semester and ive been looking a nursing schools, im in soCal and ill miss the Fall 2012 deadline but make it for the Spring 2013 semester at alot of the Community Colleges here. Now ive also been looking at Kaplan College in San Diego which i can actually start in Fall of 2012 but there is a higher pricetag...

so now im in a predicament: Should i wait and save money and apply at the CC for Spring 2013 (its still a bit of a crapshoot since they base it off a multi-criteria system) or Spend the extra money and Start sooner at the Fall Semester?

Specializes in PCU (Cardiac).

I would suggest you wait and attend a community college. Those private schools are costly, they don't have a good reputation and if you want to continue your education the credits don't always transfer.

Best of luck!

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Hi MusicEMT,

I would say wait. I'm in socal too; try to find the community colleges that offer a lottery so that you have a chance to get in. But apply to all of them.

Also, when I took Anatomy and Physiology courses at Santa Monica College, the professor said it's better to go to school in an area where you will eventually work because during clinicals, you need the connections to get a job.

I wanted to do the Accelerated BSN or MSN but may not be able to because of the competitive nature and high price of them. You can get your ADN (RN license) and go into a RN-MSN program in the future.

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I just started the Kaplan RN program last week. My dilemma, was to wait 3-4 years to get a degree (trying to complete pre-reqs and get into needed classes at community college, etc) or start at Kaplan and be done in two years. I decided to go with Kaplan because time IS money and I was actually pretty impressed with the school. From the get-go they have been extremely professional and concerned with us as students. The instructors I have met so far LOVE the field of nursing and have a lot of experience to share with us. They seem to have a genuine desire to make us GOOD nurses. Those who say Kaplan doesn't have a good rep doesn't know what they are talking about. I've talked to several doctors (good friends), hospitals, etc. who say it doesn't make a difference. In the end, and RN is an RN. Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in ER / Critical Care.

I would want to start ASAP!! But that's just me. I think you should weigh the options and make an educated decision :)

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I would look into starting at Kaplan right away. Just go and talk to their Financial Aid office about scholarships, grants, free money and any other ways to get that "Ouch Factor" reduced.

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I don't know what part of So-Cal you're in. I'm assuming if you're looking at Kaplan San Diego then you aren't very close to the Inland Empire/Orange County? Kaplan has a program in Ontario, but you could always try out Riverside Community College (not that I'm biased or anything ;)). We just rolled out the new school of nursing building and we go to a lot of different hospitals. I know someone that is going to CSU San Marcos for nursing and have heard good things. Again, it kind of depends where you are located because you will save a ton of money not having to move to go to school.

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im going today to speak to a admissions counselor. im thinking about going to kaplan as well.im aware of the money and holy smokes they want a lot lol.but im going to check it out and see if its right for me!

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I don't know what part of So-Cal you're in. I'm assuming if you're looking at Kaplan San Diego then you aren't very close to the Inland Empire/Orange County? Kaplan has a program in Ontario, but you could always try out Riverside Community College (not that I'm biased or anything ;)). We just rolled out the new school of nursing building and we go to a lot of different hospitals. I know someone that is going to CSU San Marcos for nursing and have heard good things. Again, it kind of depends where you are located because you will save a ton of money not having to move to go to school.

im in Orange County.. ive been looking at different schools all around.. RCC is cheap but i wont be able to apply untill their spring semester.. so that means waiting the rest of this year.. its the same situation for almost all CC's down here

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im in Orange County.. ive been looking at different schools all around.. RCC is cheap but i wont be able to apply untill their spring semester.. so that means waiting the rest of this year.. its the same situation for almost all CC's down here

Since you're in the OC and are considering Kaplan, I would look in to Ontario as opposed to San Diego. I think your best bet is still waiting to go to a community college. You save SO much money that I think you wouldn't be able to make up for it even if you will start working a semester earlier.

Also keep in mind that financial aid counselors will tell you anything they think will lead you to attending the school. I'm not saying it is a bad school, but they have a financial interest in you studying there, so they might not have your best interest in mind.

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Since you're in the OC and are considering Kaplan, I would look in to Ontario as opposed to San Diego. I think your best bet is still waiting to go to a community college. You save SO much money that I think you wouldn't be able to make up for it even if you will start working a semester earlier.

Also keep in mind that financial aid counselors will tell you anything they think will lead you to attending the school. I'm not saying it is a bad school, but they have a financial interest in you studying there, so they might not have your best interest in mind.

do you mean Everest college in Ontario? i still have to research that.. Ive also been looking at Western Governers University.. They provide a BSN and are cheaper which i would prefer.. but i dont know how easy they are to get in.. i dont have the highest science gpa.. 3.0

i am also going to an information meeting for Mt. St. Marys college in LA on monday..

id prefer to get my BSN but UC's and Cal states are rediclously competitive and i dont have a snowballs chance in hell to get in

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Oh jeez, yeah I meant Everest lol. I always get confused. I would have to say that when I tried to call Everest they never got me to the right person, but they would have an admission rep call me every other day because they were trying to get me to enroll of one of their many other degree options. You basically have to find out when the next informational meeting will be and attend. Other than that good luck reaching someone on the phone.

I am quite bitter towards WGU. I was very excited to apply to WGU because the cohort was at a hospital in Riverside where I live. I was told that everything sounded great, just take statistics if you want to before getting here. Well, I called to verify that I was sending in everything and they informed me that my EMT certification was no longer sufficient to meet their requirements. I would have to complete CNA training before applying. :down:

It didn't really make sense how EMT training bears no weight in their eyes, but the policy is what it is. I was just bummed they decided to change it right as I was trying to get in. WGU should be WASC accredited which means you would be able to go to another reputable school should you want a higher degree.

One thing you might look in to (I don't know how much federal aid you qualify for). If you are eligible you are allowed up to 4 application fee waivers for the CSU system. It would be nice to be able to try and get in without being out the extra money if you don't make it.

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Honestly, I'd avoid for-profit schools like the plague.

This.

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