Relocating for Graduate School (San Diego, San Francisco: look for a job, schools, college)

[VietlOtUs]

Hello All,

I've read a few threads and yall seem to know your stuff... So help me out!

I want to move away. I was born in Vietnam, raised in CT, went to school in CT. I want a change. I "need" a change, or so I think I do.

From the back of my mind, I am thinking North Carolina, Georgia, California and Texas. Why? I don't know and that's why I am here for help.

North Carolina - never been there. No nothing about NC.

Georgia - been to Atlanta and one or two nearby cities. Love it? Urm.... not really. It seems similar to CT (minus the Mexican population, here in CT, we have Hispanics).

California - Been to SF, San Diego and mostly Orange County (Santa Ana). I would like to try San Diego out. I wouldn't mind being in Santa either. I've applied to UCLA (but the chance is slim).

Texas - lived in Houston for 1 month and visited San Antonio. Haven't looked at any schools down there.


I've been around my family my whole life. Yes, I was home-sick when I left for college (but who wasn't)... then I got used to being independent... and now... although I am greatfulllll for what my sister gives me, I do not need a second mom (and I say this out of full respect for her).


I have a full-time job now. If I decided to move, I should first look for a job "there" so I can have something to move to, right? Even if I get accepted to a school before I move there, it is more promising then just leave everything here and move.


For those who've been through what I am trying to find out or know someone who has went through it... please tell me what you think.

P.S. My grandpa, being protective as he is, said I should try graduate school here and then move.... but I, I am ready to go. Am I too stubborn??

[City Boy]

What will you be wanting to get your masters in?

[VietlOtUs]

Originally Posted by City Boy

What will you be wanting to get your masters in?

I am thinking of nursing.

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by VietlOtUs

I am thinking of nursing.

Look into UCSF in San Francisco. Some of the best nursing programs are in SF.

[buckeyenative01]

I'm not familiar with any nursing programs in Orange County (maybe UCI/UCI Med Center in Irvine?) but Garden Grove and Westminster, if the data is to be believed, have the largest Vietnamese population in the nation. Unfortunately, Little Saigon is mostly just strip malls with Vietnamese characters and would look like any other random location in Northern Orange County if not for the language.

[VietlOtUs]

When I first visited California... I was amused by the fact that I see Vietnamese everywhere I go... oh, so not the case anymore. I've been to Santa Ana too much, the thrill and excitement is not there anymore. :/

CityBoy, so you're saying the nursing programs in NorCal are better than the ones in South California?

[buckeyenative01]

They probably are. The only really good/legit nursing school that comes to mind when I think of SoCal is Loma Linda, and that's way out in the depths of the Inland Empire.