hello, I am currently a hs senior who is planning to work as an RN. I got accepted to a 4 year program at a rigorous academic private university but I would have to pay 16k a year but if I went to community college, I could transfer to a state school and pay almost nothing. the private university also has a co-op where I could work at CHOP for half a year and possibly stay with them which is a dream since that is exactly where I want to work once I graduate. the thing is I never tried in high school because I always told myself I would go to a community college and got stuck with a 3.5 GPA and im scared that the private university will be too much for me to handle and ill end up dropping out.  but if I go with the community college option, I would have to wait a year to see if I will get accepted to their nursing program and then see if I get accepted to the BSN program at the state school as well which could mean 4 yrs of rejections.  im really stuck on which to choose and im honestly rlly scared because im a first gen student with no money at all and I don't have the option to fail. any help or advice would be greatly appreciated please and thanks.

How would you pay for the 4 year school? If you don’t have a way to pay $16k, then that’s not really an option. 

8 hours ago, sms777 said:

because im a first gen student

the community college in my area has scholarships for first generation students who go to college. Now is the time to contact your local community college to find out what your chances are for being accepted. 

Also have you talked with the financial aid office at the private college? I don't know what CHOP means in a schoolwork sense. 

I know this post is a few months old, but ill chime in.  Though the choice to attend private or community college is personal when asked I always recommend community college because you will get a thorough education that is more affordable than private institutions.   We get the same pay when we graduate and that 16k x 4 years can be a down payment on an investment property or anything else you would like to do with it. 

Even if you bridge over to a public university for an RN-BSN the cost will be considerably less than attending a private institution.

Nurses are in great demand, as long as you attend a properly credentialed program you will find work.