Pitt is one of my favorite schools, but I am not the one going to college. The surrounding area is great, lots of opportunities, strong academics, etc.
My daughter is a grad student at Rutgers. Rutgers is very strong in the sciences and health related programs for both grad students and undergrads, with lots of research opportunities and rotations nearby. Personally, I think the school is under appreciated by HS students…academically speaking. However…whenever we are there (weekend) I am surprised as to how quiet the campus is. My D said that it is also quiet during the week, but not quite as quiet as on a weekend. She doesn’t care because she’s a grad student and is very busy, but Rutgers seems different than where she did her undergrad. Her undergrad flagship campus was very busy all the time…even on weekends…people studying, bike riding, walking, lots of groups working on projects outside, in local restaurants, inside the student union etc. There was always a lot of activity. Rutgers campus is never like that …when we are there- we have been there about 5 times…always on a weekend and also during times where it wasn’t too cold. There is a small college town with restaurants, and the town seems to get busy during games.
She commented in passing that maybe the size of Rutgers gives the impression that it is quieter, but I don’t know. With about 36,000 undergrads one would think it would be busier…?
I think you should try to visit the schools, if possible…to get a feel for the campuses and what you like.
It’ll be clearer once you’ve visited.
Personally I’d cross out Rutgers because of the split campus and tOSU bc of the secondary process. Then I’d pick UAB if I’d want Southern/urban, Pitt if I’d want Northern * /urban, and PSU if I’d want school spirit/college town.
YMMV!
What “vibe” are you loking for? What environment sounds more appealing to you?
There’s no wrong choice, all 3 are great.
(* MidAtlantic/Midwestern).
I actually think that in terms of academic rigor, many of these schools will be similar (OS, Rutgers, Pitt). There may be minor differences from one class to the next, but nothing substantial for most of these schools (not familiar with UAB).
You already indicated that the NCLEX pass rate is similar for all, indicating good preparation.
I would think all of these programs have clinicals and that it is the school’s job to make sure you get them (not closed out etc). The difference would be whether you might need a car, different campus etc. You might inquire about the ease of obtaining a specific clinical rotation that you prefer.
I might be way off base, but I think you will get a job from all of these schools.
The difference, imo, is the campus culture and whether it is a good fit for you. I agree about crossing off tOSU unless you were admitted without a secondary app. I would also cross off Rutgers if you feel it is too big, don’t like buses, etc…but it is a strong flagship university so keep that in mind if size doesn’t matter. I took buses between 3 different campuses (not Rutgers) and didn’t mind at all, but that’s just me.
Personally, I like Pitt…I love the surrounding area. But you are the one going to college. You will get a great education at all of these schools.
I would assume you will need a car at some point for all of them honestly. So even the playing field there.
Nursing instructor here. What you put in, you will get out of it. I would go where you feel comfortable and where it is most affordable for you and your family. Most nursing programs are pretty similar. You will get a job after graduation no matter where you go.
I am a nurse in Pittsburgh. I attended Penn State for my first degree, and 3 of my kids have gone to Penn State, AND I have a degree from Pitt also.
The vibes on the campuses are VERY different but neither is bad. Pitt is in the city and has an urban vibe. Penn State is a suburban campus that is very quintessential “college campus” and town. Penn State has crazy school spirit and alumni loyalty. Pitt less so. However, with nursing, it honestly won’t matter.
Nursing is one of those careers where I always say to go to the cheapest school with the best pass rates because ALL any nurse recruiter will care about is if you passed the NCLEX. If a school gives you the education and experience to pass the NCLEX, that’s all you really should be worried about. After narrowing down those schools then you can look at campus culture and vibe and choose what works best for you.
The pros of Penn State nursing is that it’s very selective (bragging rights) and the major is very tight-knit. Penn State has a big, very pretty, walkable campus and an adjacent safe college town.
The con of Penn State nursing is that you can’t stay there all 4 years. To gain the necessary clinical experience, all nursing students do a year at Hershey Medical Center. Some students love that as they move with their group of friends from their major and the experiences are very good.
The pros of Pitt are that it’s in a medical city, and clinical experiences are varied and accessible. Oakland is home to some of the biggest and best hospitals in the state and country. There is no need to leave for a year. The cons, in my opinion, are the urban atmosphere and the undefined campus. It’s a city school with all that entails.
You will still find cheaper options at the actual state schools (rather than Pitt and Penn State which are state-related) and some of those also have excellent NCLEX pass rates.
You definitely don’t need a car at Pitt. From what I hear, the community based clinical can be farther away, but still reachable by bus, and most nursing students go all 4 years without a car there. It is something we didn’t think too much about when choosing a school, but are very glad it worked out the way it did.
Well of course. But the first step should be to look at cost and NCLEX pass rates, and then look at the other criteria.
Nursing is one of the hardest majors and the weed out criteria is no joke. When I went to nursing school (which was a second career so I graduated only 5 years ago), 76% was a failing grade. If you got below 76% in more than one class, you were out. This was in a very competitive and well-regarded 18-month (no breaks) hospital diploma program (they still exist, especially in Pittsburgh), and then I went for my BSN after in an RN-BSN completion program. I did all of my clinicals in Pittsburgh. For me, as an adult, this was the cheapest option as my entire degree (including the BSN portion) cost me about $35,000. I completely get wanting the 4 year college experience though. I did that first at age 18 (actually have three degrees altogether). I wasn’t so worried about the college atmosphere in my 40’s.
There are so many ways to get into nursing. Bridge programs, ADN, Diploma, BSN etc…One size does not fit all.
As it does not matter what the NCLEX rate is if you can’t make it into the major, it conversely is true that it doesn’t matter if it’s easier to get into the major if it doesn’t prepare you for the NCLEX.
My program was fairly easy to get into. It was VERY hard to stay in. We also had more clinical hours than Pitt or any of the local 4-year colleges. It had more than a 50% dropout rate. But of those of us who made it, 99% passed the NCLEX, most on the first try.
There are many things to consider, but NCLEX pass rates is the most important in my opinion.
Yep - those hospital-based diploma programs were no joke! I didn’t realize they still had them as when I was in nursing school (mid-90’s) they were being phased out in my area. I remember talking with a few of their students when we had clinicals at the same facilities - they definitely had more clinical time than we did and hit the ground running upon program completion. They were guaranteed a job at their affiliated hospital once they were done with school.
Did you get to visit OSU and/or does anyone on here have feedback on OSU? My daughter got into Pitt which we loved when we visited, but she never go any merit so that is out and I think she didn’t want to be in the city. She got into PSU, but they gave her Altoona so that was a no (That was a rough night). We just visited Buckeye Bound and she really liked OSU and OSU Wexner medical center nearby so she can walk to clinicals which is nice. She got into the Early Admission Pathway which now makes OSU a direct option provided she keeps a 3.2 the first year for prerequisites. Just wondering if you had any thoughts on OSU nursing? I am not super familary with the school or nursing program besides what we saw on our tour and have googled:)
She also loved Sacred Heart University (and gave nice merit) which is the polar opposite of any of these schools, but she loved the campus and vibe of it. Much smaller university in CT. It will be nice once she makes a decision! haha!
I don’t have anything specific to add over what has already been communicated. If all else is equal among programs in your eyes (NCLEX pass rates, minimum grade req’s, clinical) then it really comes down to fit. I think you’ll know more after your campus visits which you feel more drawn to. My D22 is at Pitt and loves it and definitely does not need a car.
Hey! So UAB here you would be a Pre-Nursing major for the first 2 years, than apply for Nursing School in the spring of your second year. I’m a Dean’s Scholar, meaning that I get priority considered for when I apply. The classes here some are challenging, some are easy, like some general electives, math, and english classes are easy, whereas chemistry and anatomy are hard. UAB is a big commuter college, so during the weekends, it’s pretty dead on campus, however I’ve enjoyed my time here! Hope this helps!
