[PurpleBee]

Hello future ETPs (entrance to practice),
As I mentioned a few posts back, I am going to write a small summary for those who could not attend the visiting day. To be honest, no really new info was released that day..
We were sited at round tables by specialty ~ 9 people per table, also having a student ambassador and a faculty joining us. At each chair was an umbrella (very cool and needed since it rained later that day), a pen, hand sanitizer and the schedule. The day started with some intro-speeches given by Judy, Oscar (Financial Aid guy), Adele (housing lady), some profs (did not remember names).. The microphone did not work for about 10-15 minutes .. not cool, especially since I was personally waiting for the hip-hop song – which never happened this year. After about 1 h we ate (salad, bread & batter, pasta, grilled veggies, chicken) and around 1:30pm we went on a campus tour with people coming from the same geographic region.

1) Housing: contact Adele Selik in case you do not receive on campus housing and you need help with off-campus housing. She can put you on a e-mail list and you receive available apartment openings. I don’t know if I can give her phone # and e-mail on this thread, but if you cannot find her on the Columbia SON webpage, PN me.
2) Financial Aid: You must be a full time student to get the rest of the scholarship. Nursing Student Loan had a fixed 5% interest rate, so get it. Have a checking and saving account at Bank of America or City Bank is best. There was also something about an annual credit report? Can someone fill in on this?
3) Uniforms: Must have white shoes – logo must be white also. You can mix the white and navy blue uniform. It is recommended to have at least 2 sets.
4) Summer ’08 (18 units): have class M-F but time of class schedule may vary – sometimes you have class at 8am and finish at 4pm, sometimes you finish at 8pm. One day per week you are in the hospital. You do the skill (on medical dummies) and the physical exam (on classmates).
5) Fall ’08 (22 units): you have classes M, Tu, F and clinicals W& Th.
6) Spring ’09 (20 units): intensive experience with a RN. You follow her and you may get night shift (2/3 work nights). You also start 5x5.
7) Academics: grades range form A+ (must get 100%) to C-, Average GPA while in the program must be 3.0. Some people get on academic probation (this year were about 10 people), but the faculty helps you regain the power and get off the probation if this occurs.
8) Specialties: you cannot switch into anesthesia and midwifery, although sometimes students might be lucky and get into midwifery is space is available.
9) Campus tour: Most classes will take place in the same place – the library building on the 3rd or 4th floor. The building itself is not magnificent. Most classes will be in a big auditorium with over 100 ETP students; you get wireless internet, you can bring laptops and can record the lectures. For most classes you can print out the lecture from the net or the professor will bring a printed copy to class. We also get ~ 700 pages for free (for the entire 1st year? Only in the summer? I do not know). The dorm is also not very spectacular, but it has a pool! & a small gym. Yey. The student lounge and the kitchen are on the top floor. You can bring a microwave and mini refrigerator with you if you like. The room is ok for one occupancy. The dorm is veeeery close to classrooms and the hospital!!!!!!

Take care and good luck!

[dg05]

Some clarification - the 5x5s start in the fall and continue for 10 weeks after christmas (this is considered winter, I think). Integration with your nurse starts after spring break and continues for 8 weeks.

The print quota is per semester not for the entire year. It's been more than enough for me.

[whatshesaid]

I just dropped off my enrollment deposit!! It is a nice feeling....

Does anyone know if there are gym facilities on campus for those of us not in the dorms?

I also wanted to share something I just found out about Financial Aid. I took out a private loan and was informed that the funds would be disbursed directly to the school. I call Oscar and asked when I would be able to access those funds and he said to expect those funds in the MIDDLE of June. You can pick up your check at the Cashier's office on the first day of class, June 2nd, but it may take up to 2 weeks for the check to clear, depending on your bank.

I asked Oscar if there was any way to get an advance, and he said no. When I asked what other students did in this situation, he said they "borrowed the money." Hmmm, Ok. Borrow the money until you're borrowed money comes through...Sigh.

I was shocked at this, considering June Rent, utilities and BOOKS, would all have to be paid for before or near the 2nd of June. Maybe this is pretty standard, but I know it threw my budget for the next few months out of whack a little.

[Alexandria8]

I was wondering what the move-in date for summer housing is if you are able to get a spot. The housing papers say May so I assume the entire month, but I kind of expected move-ins to be right before orientation...I don't know why they would expect us to move in a month early to attend a program that already begins a mere 4 months after sending out acceptance letters. I need to tell my landlord what date my boyfriend and I hope to break our lease on and find a sublet for them (I love my landlords). I definitely can't pay double rent for May and am stressing a bit, does anyone know the policy?

[i heart NY]

Hi WhatSheSaid!

All full-time students on the Medical Campus have access to the Bard Athletic Center. They have treadmills, bikes, a pool, squash (? or raquetball) courts, basketball courts, spinning room, etc.

They do offer aerobics and spin classes, but we would have to pay! I think it's $35/month for the classes.

Also, on the website, it indicated that gym was built before central air conditioning was available, so the gym is not airconditioned, "but temperatures can get unpleasant in the summer months. Care should be taken when scheduling summer work outs."

You can also pay for membership to the larger athletic facilities on the main Morningside Campus.

(I'm thinking of investing membership in New York Sports Clubs or something).

[dg05]

Alexandria - no worries. You're not allowed to move in until labor day weekend so they don't expect you to pay for the entire month. Also, for people in the dorms, the first month's rent isn't due until a little later (like early July).

[fnp4me]

Dg05, is Bard Hall paid monthly or in a lump sum along with tuition at the beginning of the semester?

Also, does anyone know if the admission response needs to be postmarked on March 14 or arrive at their office on March 14?

Is anything else due besides the admission response and financial aid response? I am out of town for spring break and don't have access to some of the documents that were sent like the uniform and supplies order forms to see when they are due.

Thanks!

[whatshesaid]

I'm not sure if they need to be post marked or in the office by the 14th, but I do know that the uniforms and supply order forms are also due tomorrow.

I had to fax a few things in to financial aid today. If you are paying by credit car, they can probably accept the uniform sheet(due to Columbia) and supplies form (due to Steeles Supply Company, not the school) by fax.

Hope this helps.

[dg05]

Bard hall rent is paid monthly.

[kris.cams]

well, hello. i'm not usually one for message boards, but this seems like a happenin' place to be.

sooo, i just sent in all my paperwork (guess it's official... really pumped about my purple bandage scissors) and am planning on moving to the city beginning/mid-may. a tad bit nervous since i have NO clue what's a good area. my girlfriend and i are planning on living together somewhere easy enough for her to get to the Path and me to get to school. i really have no idea what that means... but if anyone else does, i'd really appreciate any convenient, not-crazy-expensive, off-campus housing suggestions?

i'll be PedOnc speciality.. really excited about the program slash nervous about life in the city and the possibility of having no money for food. i'm working on my street gig for spare change.. let me know if you want in.. kidding.

excited to meet you all... ~KC <-- well, isnt that convenient?