Which do you prefer usf, sfsu, samuel merritt

[futureERnurse89]

Hi Everyone,

I got into the BSN program at USF (University of San Francisco) and BSN program at Samuel Merritt both as a transfer student, however I am on the wait list for SFSU and very close to getting in. If I get into SFSU, I know it's way cheaper than USF AND SAMUEL MERRITT. Here are pros and cons about each school

SFSU:

-4.5 semesters or 2.5 years

-COST: $5,224 FOR 2 SEMESTERS ( so near $13,000) hmm

-NCLEX PASS RATES: # OF STUDENTS 104 AND PASS RATE 90.38% 2009/2010

SAMUEL MERRITT:

-4 SEMESTERS 2 years

- COST: $17,843/semester (about $71,372)

- NCLEX PASS RATES: # OF STUDENTS 421 AND PASS RATE: 87.41% 2009/2010

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO:

-7 SEMESTERS 3 years

- COST: $37,040 A YEAR SO (ABOUT $111,120 FOR THE WHOLE PROGRAM)

-NCLEX PASS RATES: # OF STUDENTS 128 AND PASS RATE: 91.41% in 2009/2010

(my cousin went to usf and she said it was a really good program and really good networking, she got a job right after she graduated)

I heard all all the programs are really hood. What school would you guys pick and why? What are some pros and cons you know about the nursing program other than what I listed above? I really want to go to SFSU b/c of the tuition, but I'm not sure. What would you guys recommend especially coming from students who already graduated at the nursing program in any one of these schools. Are the classes bigger at SM or SFSU or USF or who has more students in the class? What program do you prefer?

[bombom]

I'm sort of in the same boat! I didn't bother applying to Samuel Merritt though. I'm super close to getting into SFSU as well. I'm really set on going to SFSU.

From the moment I got into USF's program, all I hear is how good the program is and how easy USF graduates find jobs. I love their mission and values, and it looks to me like most of the students actually go by them as well. The classes seem pretty small in comparison to most classes at SFSU, especially those designated for nursing students only. A few of the clinical sites under USF also include UCSF and Stanford, which sounds fantastic. All around, anyone I've asked about USF always says it's a great school, great program, and you won't regret going there. HOWEVER, my main concern is definitely the tuition. That's like paying off a mortgage. I'll probably be paying that off for the rest of my career unless I can find a payment plan that lets me pay off as much as possible every month. I would love to be at USF but this tuition is ridiculous.

It's kind of weird. I share their values about altruism. But if I had to go to this school, I wouldn't be able to reach my full potential in this (if that makes sense?) You see, I wouldn't want to be working abroad, earning very little, and having to pay off my loans at the same time. It just doesn't seem doable in my opinion...but that's just me! I've got my whole life planned out in front of me

I don't know too much about the program at SFSU. I regret not going to the informational meetings there. However, the tuition is definitely a plus for me. I also took a look at the nclex pass rates for both schools, and a 1 percent difference is way too close to consider which would be "best". I've also attended SFSU and I loved being there. I can definitely handle the tuition there. The only thing holding me back is how nice USF is, and my second thoughts on what I may miss out on if I hadn't transfered from USF :doh:Would I be better off after I graduate from USF? Or would I end up working in the same facilities as graduates who've paid LESS than me?

I personally knew one recent USF graduate at my job. She was constantly making big mistakes, and she eventually had to resign (it was that or get fired). It made me think about USF's ability to properly educate its students, but... really, it's all up to the person in the end right? These programs help guide us to be be RNs. But in the end, it's up to us to be able to deal with all the information we're given and how we are to apply that outside of the classroom.

All in all, USF is definitely regarded for its name. To have that on my resume, with more than 100k in loans, and 6 years in college, I'm not so sure. The fact of the matter is that SFSU is a much more realistic choice for me. As long as I get a degree, the rest is up to me. The pass rates are too close to even consider. Again, I figure it's all up to the person right? You can be enrolled in the best school but it doesn't mean you'll be sailing by like the rest of the cream of the crop.

Hope you can make your decision! Good luck with the waitlist too!

[SFLady]

I currently attend USF. The tuition is ridiculous, even with the scholarships and university grants, I still ended up taking out about $10k during my sophomore year (full-time status). Since I took my of my prerequisites and lower division courses, I won't be considered a full time student during my second semester of junior year and my entire senior year. So to look on the positive side, I won't be taking out 18k per semester. If you have a copy of the program curriculum, then check to see what classes you absolutely need to take at USF. The school will mix some lower division courses during your junior and senior year, so try to take as many courses at a community college to off-set the cost. Also, the three specific courses taken at USF (theology, philosophy, ethnics) can be taken during the summer which is cheaper to take than during the semester. I took all three during the summer as saved myself a good $4k by doing just that. I only applied to USF because it's close to home and close to work.

[abbster]

hi @futureERnurse89!! i know this post is old and you're probably busy with school and such, but i was wondering what you did to get into those schools??? GPA wise, volunteer, recommendations... whatever you did that helped you. those are my dream schools! and it would be of help to know what you did so that i can have that as my goal :)