I was between five nursing schools for BSN and this is what I decided:
Stayed the Same:
Univ of Washington, Seattle: Love everything about it but it isn’t direct entry. Gorgeous campus, fun location, beautiful everything and amazing academics
UCLA: The nursing admissions office was cranky when I called to see if I could get a tour, but it might have just been some random person answering the phone, and, as I didn’t get a tour, I can’t judge how it would have been. Great campus for a general college education, a little big, but prestigious almost to the level of Penn. I hear that the community of nursing students is very close knit and the faculty take great care of them so that’s good. All the admitted students are so friendly, enthusiastic, and welcoming.
Moved Down:
Azusa Pacific University: Sweet school but too small for me. I loved the nursing program and the faculty seem great, but I felt I would be bored there with so many people similar to me. Should be a great fit for others though!
University of Pennsylvania: Hard to say no to an Ivy but the price tag was just too much, and living in Northern California would just be way too far for me to go to PA for college. Didn’t like Philly, though the campus was decent. Nursing is AMAZING but I couldn’t justify 70k a year for a BSN. The office is so welcoming and totally pampered me on my visit after I was admitted.
UC Irvine: I love the campus and the atmosphere so much but the nursing school doesn’t have enough funding. It is not a “school of nursing” yet, only a major, as it is so young, so they can’t attract top faculty like Penn or UCLA. Still, a good program.
End decision: I will be attending UCLA’s School of Nursing in the fall!