Simmons College

Date: Oct 27 2010
Major: Nursing (This Major's Salary over time)
Though the Nursing program at Simmons College is extremely well renowned, something that I am glad for and am sure will aid me in the future, this reputation is the only good thing I will take from Simmons. The social atmosphere of this college is awful - very cliquey, and liberal to the point of annoying. I came into Simmons during the Spring semester, and had a very hard time finding my "place", as everyone had already broken into their 'groups'. I am a "middle of the road", accepting and easygoing person, and found even myself annoyed at the "in your face" liberalism here. I am by no means anti-feminist, but shoving feminism down your throat at every chance makes me almost embarrassed. *Note - this is not the "norm" of the population, but if you are conservative at all, look elsewhere, as other opinions are not very respected.

As far as the nursing program itself goes, I absolutely loved my clinical placements, but was very disappointed by how the program is run. Clinical selection is extremely chaotic and stressful - organization at this school is horrible in general. The faculty are extremely knowledgable, but if you arent one of their "favorites", you pretty much dont exist to them. I am a very good student in this program, and feel well prepared to enter my Nursing career, but I wonder if the reputation is worth the cost of everything else I missed out at here at Simmons.

All in all, Simmons looks great from the outside, but is actually quite dynfunctional from the inner point of view. If youre willing to trade a great "typical" college experience - one with school spirit, great campus life, and supportive staff - for a great reputation in Nursing, go for it. Personally, I would have rather gone to a larger university with a more open, friendly environment, gotten just as good of an education (after all, its really what YOU as a student make it), and gotten my money's worth. Instead, I'm graduating with a $100,000 debt's worth of a "prestigious" Nursing degree, and a lot of regrets about the other aspects of college that I missed out on.