University of Maryland or Johns Hopkins?

teenybug2000 · Apr 8, 2008

I already have a degree from UNC-CH in something other than nursing, but I decided a year or two ago that I wanted to be a nurse. I did my pre-requisites and applied, and I have been accepted to two schools. YAY! But now I need to decide which one to go to.

First I was accepted to the University of Maryland's Clinical Nurse Leader program and was waitlisted at Johns Hopkins for their Accelerated second-degree BSN. So I sent in my deposit to UMD and planned to start there this fall. But JHU called me last week and said they have a spot for me and did I want it (I had like 5 minutes to decide!). I said yes and they sent me a letter, and I now need to send them my deposit. If I went there I would start at the end of May (which would be great because I hate my job and want to leave it ASAP).

I would be an out of state student for half the time at UMD, making it only about 12k cheaper than JH (46k vs 58k, both seem like huge numbers to me, but my dad the accountant says I should go for the cheaper option).

Also, starting at JH earlier in the year I would have little money for moving expenses, etc (moving in with my bf :redbeathewho just bought a house, in a month). But it would save me the 2 hour commute to northern virginia for my job for a few months. But leaving my job earlier to go to JH would force me to repay my company 2k that they gave me for my prerequisite classes (i don't owe it back a year after completing the courses).

The financial aid office at JH said since I was waitlisted and my acceptance just came in now, I might not get as much financial aid from them. But the lady claimed that private loan rates are actually lower than federal right now. And I could get a job where they agree to pay some of my loans off in return for a few years working for them.

JH is so competitive, I feel like I should go there just because I got in, and because it is so prestigious. Although UMD has a really good nursing school too. Both seem to have great technology and hospitals, yet JH seems smaller and a better faculty student ratio. I'M SO CONFUSED! :no: Any guidance would be appreciated! Anyone out there go to either of these schools?