My DS17 has the opportunity to either attend a school with a strong nursing program (he’s already been accepted) or attend a NESCAC school where he would likely major in biology. The nursing courses appeal more to him than general bio, but he also sees the benefit of a NESCAC level education. Any thoughts or advice on which way to go?
Is the Nursing program a direct admit?
If so, and he’s really sure that Nursing is what he wants to do, then it’s an advantage to go into the direct admit program.
If he’s not sure (or if the Nursing program is a pre-admit) and is still exploring his academic options, then the NESCAC is likely the better fit.
It is a direct admit nursing program - just has to maintain gpa. He thinks he wants nursing, but there is some lingering doubt of what if he gets there and realizes nursing isn’t all he thought it would be.
Well that’s the answer itself. You don’t want to go to a direct preprofessional program with lingering doubts. I think he should be “all in” before committing to nursing school. imho. Tough decision. Good luck and congrats on the great options.
This offers a good description of the paths to nursing that would be available after a NESCAC education:
But those post NESCAC programs would require an additional 2 years of college and the related expense.
That depends on the school, eh? If it’s a university like Penn, which has top-notch programs in virtually everything, he has a lot of options if he decides to switch out of nursing. Many of the colleges with good nursing programs also have very strong arts and sciences departments.
I appreciate the thoughts. I shared the responses with him. He says it’s less about whether he’ll be happy as a nurse and more about wondering what other opportunities he might miss by not going to a higher academic school. It’s a tough decision for him, but he knows he’s lucky to have the choice!
I’d say the key academic opportunities at most NESCACs involve studying broadly in fields such as classical studies, philosophy, religious studies, government, literature, history, geosciences and astronomy. If this appeals to him, he could consider waiting with nursing for his post-graduate pursuits.
If he envisions himself studying primarily nursing at an early stage, however, then a direct entry program would represent a good option for him.
If DS is already questioning the academic strength of the university he is thinking of committing to, he is all but painting himself into a possible transfer scenario (which, incidentally, could add up to an extra year of schooling.) I would trust my gut and go for the more academically demanding program. Who knows what sort of internship programs he might qualify for, leading to an entirely different direction for him?
I think this is easy. If he wants to be a nurse, go to nursing school. It is way easier to decide after a year that you don’t want to be a nurse and transfer out than trying to get into a nursing program later.
How high grades/GPA must he make to stay in the nursing program?
I believe it’s 2.75. But to maintain his merit scholarship he needs 3.0 so that’s clearly the goal.
Is he currently waiting to hear back from some NESCAC schools, or trying to decide if he should apply? Maybe revisit the school where he was accepted for nursing, ask lots of questions about what it will mean if he wants to change his major there? Will he lose his merit scholarship if he changes majors? IMHO he needs to like the school enough that if he changes his mind, he will still be happy with the school and be able to afford to stay there. That would be my advice regardless of area of study. If both of these aren’t the case and he’s not sure he wants to be a nurse, it’s not the right school for him. It’s wonderful to have merit $, but it does him no good if he’s not all in on nursing—as others have said, you will end up paying for it later in additional years of schooling, etc.
My nursing student chose a college that also has strong programs outside of nursing. That way she would not have to transfer in case of a “change of mind”. She also enjoyed getting electives and completing a minor in other strong departments. Can your son apply to other nursing schools?
A lot of kids at NESCAC schools go the route of direct entry into a PA program or accelerated master’s degrees in the nursing field. Here’s are some examples:
https://medicine.tufts.edu/education/physician-assistant/pa-prerequisites
http://www.nursing.columbia.edu/academics/academic-programs/masters-direct-entry-mde
He has applied to the 2 NESCAC schools that he has interest in. Currently RD. He’s a football recruit and would need to change one to ED if he wants the endorsement from the coaches. Thus, very limited time frame. He’s visited each of the schools at least twice and has had overnights at the 2 NESCAC schools. We toured over 20 schools so I think he has a good idea of the things he likes or doesn’t like. But it’s a big decision being that they’d be such different experiences.
Does he want to spend 4 more years studying liberal arts, and then focus on a career, or is he ready to do so now? Can you afford the additional costs incurred for the additional years? I know people who have pursued both paths open to you. Most would, if they had to choose again, pursue the direct nursing route, and later decide if they wish to supplement with a PA or NP qualification.