Last fall, my youngest left for college. Her senior year was tough – a 5th period English class we couldn’t shake, and all the applying and waiting. We knew she wanted to major in nursing. What we didn’t know is just how competitive it is. One of the reasons for moving to California was to have more options for in-state schools. Of all the desirable Cal State nursing programs, there are very few spots, usually given via lottery. 15-40 spots with over 1,000 applicants = tough to get in. The odds are even more challenging with UC schools, so she didn’t apply. We were thrilled she got into a few, particularly CSULB’s pre-nursing program. Their nursing school is fantastic, but only a small percentage of their own pre-nursing students get in, leaving them to start over again junior year. It just didn’t feel right.
Enter Mount Saint Mary’s Los Angeles. A small, private university with two campuses – one in the hills of Brentwood, and the other across the street from USC. Remember The Princess Diaries? Yeah, some it is was filmed on the Doheny campus (by USC) full of historic mansions. She applied because it was free and they had direct entry – meaning she could walk into school already in the program based on her stellar high school grades. To keep the spot, she has to meet the freshman grade requirements and pass the Kaplan with a 70. This program would also mean she starts clinicals her sophomore year instead of having to wait until her junior year. Highly appealing. We went and toured the Brentwood (main) campus over winter break. After the tour, driving down the winding road to Sunset Blvd, we looked at each other and thought – this might be the one. She was already accepted into their 4-yr nursing program and she was hoping for direct entry, which she got in February and committed.
Over the next few months, I poured over blogs and FB dorm mom groups. She did the 17yo equivalent. She came up with a plan and we spent the summer collecting everything under the sun. I almost declined to buy the big blue bags, preferring buckets instead. GET THE BIG BLUE BAGS! Life-changing.
Move-in came and went. Oldest and I stayed in LA for two nights getting her situated and to soften the blow, listening to Chappell Roan all around Brentwood and Santa Monica to keep us from crying. A few weeks later, she moved herself into a single after experiencing a less-than-livable situation. Problem solved and I highly recommend a single if your child is an early rising, healthy eating, quiet person, who thrives with personal space. We see each other every other week, as our fragrance aversions keep her from doing laundry on campus, and we just enjoy being together. We get groceries, swap laundry, and play tourist in LA.
No one can prepare you for the emotional roller coaster of your baby flying the nest. I feel very fortunate that she’s a little over an hour away. Safe in the hills. Thriving. And, while she loves LA, wants to come back to Orange County when all is said and done!
Check out our favorite dorm items here!
life. redesigned. 
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