University of Southern Maine? (Portland, Gorham: crime, how much, hotel)

[1ejp]

Hey people, I am from New York (Long Island) and I am interested in the nursing program at USM. Any information about the school and the area of Portland (Crime, Transportation, etc..) is greatly appreciated.

[Unhappycamper]

I know alot of people who go to USM. I was accepted but ended up going somewhere else. I don't know much about the nursing program there but I do know alittle about the environment. The campus is split up between Portland and Gorham. Most of it, along with the all but one dorm hall is in Gorham. There is a shuttle running between the two and its about a 20 minute ride. There is a dorm in downtown Portland that is a converted hotel so every room has its own bathroom and shower. I hear that is going to be sold though so I do not know how much longer it will be around. Most likely you will be in Gorham so everything you need will be near by. Grocery stores, resturants, the works.

[StephC]

I just read an article last week about the school. They are over-budget for the third year in a row and because of that they implemented a three year hiring freeze and are consolidating some programs. I believe the article was from th Potland Press Herald. That is never a good sign...you may want to contact someone and make sure the nursing program won't be suffering any cuts. They went over budget this year by 3plus million
I am a New Yorker (living in Tenn) moving to Maine also!
Good luck!
~Steph

[399083453]

Yeah, I've heard that on Maine Public Radio as well. I think they are shutting down many things. At least for the next 5 years, after that the next large wave of high school kids are expected graduate and re-fill the gap and they might reopen some of the programs.

[gottagetoutofmaine]

I worked at USM for 8 years and worked with the nursing program a lot. The competition is very high to get into it. They no longer have spring semester entrance due to too many students and not enough faculty. Apply early!!! If you are a transfer student, you will be pooled with all other transfer applicants and they will choose from that pool.

[deportallofthem]

Originally Posted by 1ejp

Hey people, I am from New York (Long Island) and I am interested in the nursing program at USM. Any information about the school and the area of Portland (Crime, Transportation, etc..) is greatly appreciated.

My suggestion is UNH (I'm not sure about nursing, but...) It's a similar setting as Gorham, but a little more competitive. There's certainly less crime in the Portsmouth Area and higher median incomes (closer to Mass).

[smitamom]

I graduated from USM nursing program in 1989, I am from Maine and loved being there. USM was agreat school, one of the best nursing programs in the state( has one of the highest pass rates for nclex board exams) I don't know anything about budgets and all that but I know that you need to apply early. Good luck!

[Dirk Bonner]

I graduated from the Portland campus in 1971 and I received my Master's at Gorham in 1975.

I throughly enjoyed my years at UMP, UMPG, and USM...all the same place.