Widener University

Date: Nov 20 2016
Major: Nursing (This Major's Salary over time)
Widener is mostly nursing and engineering students. Both are excellent programs. I know people in other majors who are equally happy too. The people I see who are unhappy with Widner are either people who really wanted that big school experience or people who thought they weren't going to actually work in college and aren't doing well.

I wanted to be at a smaller school where I wouldn't be just a number. I definitely feel that way here. Widener has a great sense of community. Your social life is what you make of it. No there are not going to be the same amount of acticmvities and events as a larger school and I guess it could be better but the good definitely outweigh the bad. Definitely something for everyone.

My nursing and engineering friends who are seniors all have had externships so they have jobs lined up for after they graduate.

As far as being in Chester - I feel very safe on campus. Security everywhere. Chester is a tough town but then again look at a temple. Temple is right in the middle of North Philly and there are shootings up there all the time. If you go off campus at Widener most people will just go over to Media or Springfield which are both nice safe areas with restaurants, movies and shopping. Also when the weather is nice we are right by the bridge to New Jersey and you can be at the Jersey beach in an hour. Or you can drive up to center city Philly in 15-20 minutes.

Tuition is high but they offered me scholarships and other aid that made it as affordable as a state school. I live off campus this year but was on campus the first 2. The dorms aren't bad but they could be updated. Not having ac in September and May during finals was brutal. But they do have living learning communities and as a freshman that was the best. For nursing it's the NET program. You live with other freshman nursing students and take the same classes.

Founders Hall is new for nursing and we have everything we could possibly want in sim labs and a facility. We are really able to get a good feel for things before going out and doing clinicals.

Food is decent. Some days it's better than others but there is a big selection. It's definitely better now than my freshman year. More healthy options. Wood oven pizza is great and you definitely won't starve. It's actually a lot better than other schools I've been to.

There are definitely parties and Greek life but so still don't see Widner as a "party" school. I didn't want a school like that which is why I didn't go to West Chester. I was accepted to Drexel but didn't like the campus and the school is so big. I also liked University of Delaware and they have a great nursing program too but coming from PA they weren't offering me much aid so it made it unaffordable. For me Widener was the best fit and I'm happy I chose to come here. It's not perfect but what school is. Whatever you choose you should definitely visit the schools to get a better feel for them.