switching nursing schools

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 9, 2014

Well, it will show up on transcripts that you withdrew. That won't affect you getting a job at all but will affect financial aid and possibly getting into a master's program in the future. Is there a reason you don't want to do the one starting in June? Is there a difference in LPN and RN? Is it just campuses? I would go to the one starting in June and stick with it until the end unless there is a big red flag to not go there. If not either just do it and get done or wait until fall and start. But you would be taking someone else's seat essentially and then not using it. That's not fair to the school or the person who would possibly get that seat.

Everline · May 9, 2014

Can you defer your admission?

dznnn · May 9, 2014

Do you think you have a good chance of getting into your top choice school?

Jen717 · May 10, 2014

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the program I have been accepted to. It's actually a really good BSN program but it's so much more expensive and very far away from home. I'm not too sure of my chances of getting into the other one, but I don't want to take a gamble with it. That's why I'm asking whether it will affect my future in any way. I won't have any transcripts from that school because I will not have completed any courses. Unfortunately I won't be able to defer to after start. This decision is stressing me out so much.

VivaLaVespaGirl, BSN, MSN · May 10, 2014

I actually doubt that withdrawing from that school will cause issues getting into a masters program. You are only required to submit transcripts for schools in which you have earned credits. If you have not been taking other classes at that school, then you needn't submit the transcripts. What I would be concerned about is taking another individual's seat. As you are well aware, programs are really competitive and you will have prevented one other individual from taking the spot you don't want.

caliotter3 · May 10, 2014

I would consider the "taking someone else's seat" scenario if you had an equal shot, as in equal starting times, at both. But since there is good reason to believe you may not get a seat in the second program, look out after your own interests by taking your spot in the first program.

Jen717 · May 12, 2014

Thank you all for your responses. I feel like my question was definitely answered in this post. I'm sorry if some of you believe I am holding back another student by starting at the first school. I would have gladly given up my seat if I knew I was going to be accepted into the second program. Since I don't know for sure, I am not going to take the chance and postpone my own admission by another year. I'm sure everyone here would do the same. Thank you caliotter3 for your feedback. I really appreciate your honesty.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 13, 2014

Yes you will have transcripts from that school and they will have W's on them. That's the part your not understanding. You have a certain period of time to withdraw from a class and not face any penalties. Usually about a week. After a week it does affect your financial aid because they will be paying for the classes that you did not take. They may only get 50% of their money back. Then at the mid way point of the semester no money will be refunded. So even if you drop to go to another school and if it is after the midway point of the semester then financial aid pays for 100% of the classes. So yes, it will affect financial aid and you will have W's on your transcript. I have heard horror stories of nursing students getting to their last semester and can't finish because their financial aid ran out. Also if you are getting financial aid you must have a 65% completion rate each semester you attend. So basically if you dropped every class this summer to go to another, you would have a 0% completion rate for the summer session and your aid could get pulled. You would have do to an appeal process and sometimes they approve and sometimes they don't. If there is nothing wrong with the school starting this summer then just go there. But yes you are also taking someone else's seat that could use it.