Direct Nursing @ Case Western Reserve University (46k) vs. Saint Louis University (27k)

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1
  • US Citizen
  • Nursing Major (Direct-Admit)
  • Plans to matriculate into a DNP program after undergrad and become a CRNA. I want to find the best fit and a school that will provide me better opportunities to reach this goal.
  • Incoming Freshman Admit for Regular Fall Term Start
  • I have visited SLU but I don’t think I’d have the time before May 1st to visit CWRU
  • (Money isn’t a factor for my decision, but I would like the school I pick to be worth it for its cost and as long as I’ll be more likely to succeed both in college and life.)

My preferences/thoughts:

  • I don’t think both schools differ vastly in weather. I would prefer warm but neither are since both are in the midwest. I don’t like the cold but I am used to it so I’ll deal with it.
  • I would really not prefer to be in super large lectures. I think most classes under 20 students would be fine for a stronger chance of connections with both classmates and professors.
  • I don’t like a super work hard culture. A balance would be nice. I attend a pretty cutthroat, cliquey high school and it’s okay but I didn’t perform super well which I know is my fault as well as my mental state’s and other life things and explains why I couldn’t get into better nursing schools.
  • I’d prefer a more collaborative community. Maybe one with resources for mental health and stuff like that. I heard CWRU has no social life and people are pretty much mostly focused on academics. SLU looks chill.
  • I’m not super social but I can be when necessary.
  • I don’t care for excessive partying which neither school has. I don’t care for Greek life. Athletic culture would be nice but neither school is super into that though I know that SLU has lately been pretty good with basketball which is cool. I don’t care too much for traditions. School spirit is fine. I’d like to be around more optimistic, “friendlier” people. Students at SLU looked happy and I even talked to a few students not involved in the admitted students event that said they have had a nice college experience so hopefully that’s true.
  • I don’t want a “boring” college experience though although it will be what I make of it, I think it’d be better to be in a more inviting space that provides more of those opportunities. City life is cool and also many student organizations is preferred. I didn’t particularly like the city of St. Louis itself because I think it’s boring.
  • SLU dining hall food was edible. I have a selective appetite. I don’t know how CWRU’s food is like as I didn’t visit. I can cook.
  • I didn’t particularly like the housing at SLU but I think if I were to go there, I like the one residence hall that was previously a hotel the most.
  • Diversity would be nice (race/gender/idk/etc)
  • There isn’t such a huge difference in distance. SLU is slightly closer. For what its worth, I’ll have to fund my transportation back home during breaks so I could either take a flight or the Amtrak.
  • I don’t want a super long commute for clinicals and even though I can drive, I will likely not have a car. I know how to take public transportation but I would prefer not to go longer than 45 minutes including walking.
  • CWRU Clinicals begin first semester of college which is pretty cool! I’d love to do my clinicals at Cleveland Clinic which is considered one of the top hospitals globally. I’ll also have 1000+ clinical hours once I graduate (including 4th year preceptorship, senior capstone community project, community health screening and education, and junior specialty courses). From the information given online, it seems CWRU has more opportunities.
  • CWRU has events that seem very interesting and community building such as marathons, dinners, an anatomy fashion show, and a prom entertainment night
  • SLU’s clinicals begin fall of sophomore year which isn’t ideal compared to CWRU’s but it’s still earlier than other programs
  • SLU claims to have support resources of 2 academic advisors, a faculty mentor, university tutoring, professors, practice lab, financial aid counseling (my original cost was 37k and I didn’t ask them to reconsider they just kept giving me a bit more in increments), career student services, university counseling center, and a SON-Specific Retention Specialist
  • I’m interested in doing hands-on learning, internships, volunteer, co-ops, and research that don’t have to be nursing-specific so maybe relating to PR or the arts or NASA.
  • I’d also wanna work as a CNA (not licensed yet though) or at least a job
  • Study abroad is definitely something I plan to do in college. At SLU, I’m guaranteed a semester to study in Madrid doing my nursing coursework and clinicals there which is super cool because I’ve always wanted to visit Spain. There’s no extra charges either. Not sure about CWRU’s study abroad though.
  • Not school-specific but I like going to concerts, the beach, outdoorsy activities, and art museums.
  • NCLEX passing rate: SLU- 97% and CWRU- 93.1% (that’s what I found online. Not sure of accuracy. SLU says they have outstanding preparation for the NCLEX).
  • Ranking isn’t a big deal to me. CWRU is #13 (seems to have dropped from previous years) and SLU doesn’t seem to be ranked. I just need more and better opportunities that I can access in my environment/through networking.
  • other random prefs: nice campus like in the way it looks (but I don’t think I like either college campus better), safe campus, over 10k students, great signal/cell service on campus, quality of faculty, job placement rates/’higher’ starting salary, grad school acceptance, walkability and access to grocery/convenience stores, alumni network, not sure what else I haven’t addressed yet but if anything else needs to be said pls let me know!

My other nursing offers are Purdue (43k), Miami Ohio (39k), and Marquette (44k) but not sure if these programs are as strong though thoughts on these would be nice too.

I know this was a super long post but I just hope this information was enough for any thoughts as to which school I should commit to. Any and all commentary would be appreciated! Thanks so much for your time!

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Are you planning to work before applying to DNP programs?

I know you said money is not a factor. Does your budget allow for the the more costly option?

3

Yes. Maybe for about a year for experience.

4

I have not visited the schools on your list.

I assume all of the schools are accredited. After that, you might look at the nursing exam pass rates (my guess is that they are all high) and then choose the school where you would be the happiest, assuming affordability.

Keep in mind that the student loan program is changing. This may or may not matter in terms of your future plans for an advanced degree.

I see it as a positive that you plan to work before going for a DNP.

Grad school acceptance or your starting salary as a nurse will not depend on the college you graduate from, fyi.

5

Two of the best nurses I know…one graduated from SLU, and the other from Marquette. I’m wondering why Marquette isn’t in consideration any longer?

6

It’s nursing. They need nurses. Both are great schools. SLU is Catholic - does that matter? It will have religious imagery and personnel and an extensive core.

I don’t know where clinical are for each but both have well known medical facilities nearby, not just CWRU But not sure where clinicals are m. Yiu can find out.

Niche ratings on food for CWRU aren’t great. SLU is a B- CWRU a C. Purdue, as I have experience with a student who ate for a week, gets an A - if food does truly matter. You can check the others.

All schools are worth it if you can afford it and be educated. Both cities are fun.

Why did you eliminate the others ? It’s nursing - all will prep you to be hired. Did you visit ? Hopefully there’s something more. Purdue is known for good food - since you noted it. I wouldn’t say I can cook. Even if they have kitchens - you are busy, in a dorm, already paying for a meal plan and groceries are hard to get.

Nursing is demanding courses will be hard. You chose the wrong field if that’s not good for you.

Maybe reach out to each and ask them to set you up with a student ambassador to answer the questions for you.

Good luck

7

All of these schools will set you up to become a nurse. CRNA programs are very competitive, and it is my understanding that you will need work experience before applying to these programs.

Nurses are very employable. Your salary will depend on location, the facility’s salary structure, and the experience you have. Grad school acceptance will depend on you- your grades, work experience, interview skills etc.

My advice is to choose an affordable school where you would be happy. You might want to also speak with nursing students about their experience, ease of getting to clinicals etc.

8

My oldest went BSN but not initially (transfer into nursing), but had she known in HS that she wanted to do nursing we absolutely would have taken a long look at Case, assuming first of course financial feasibility. They start clinicals freshman year which can be a full year ahead of typical and that allows for not just a greater number of hours but also exposure to a greater amount of rotation areas. For instance if you already know you want to do anesthesia, you might look at both programs’ clinical rotations and compare which would be more impactful in that regard (i.e. how long do they spend in an OR rotation, critical care, etc), I know in my daughter’s program she did not get rotations in areas she would have wanted and spent way too much time in others that she wished could have been spent in those areas.

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