Columbia University ETP Program 2013

U.S.A. New York

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The thread here for the Columbia University ETP program for entry in 2012 is pretty long (45 pages right now!), so I was hoping to elicit some of the same responses for those who are applying in 2013. Let's get to know each other!

Why are you applying to Columbia? What have you heard about the program- good, bad or ugly? Are you nervous, excited, ambivalent?

Looking forward to getting to know some of you!

They will email us and direct us to log in to the website for our decision. Decisions for 2012 were made on the first Tuesdays of the month (December, for Early Decision; February for regular decision). Decisions in 2011 were made the first Monday after Superbowl Sunday... apparently there was an iguana-related delay prior to that point (the office iguana, Lola, knocked over the files, if I followed the thread correctly), and Jose Villa posted the following message:

Feb 6, '11 by

josevillaDear Friends,

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I inform you the admissions committee will fail to deliver unto you our anticipated Super Sunday Surprise of early admissions results delivery. As a small measure of recompense, please find the until now secret Columbia SON Three Ambulance Chicken Chili recipe attached to the end of this missive.

Before I explain, allow me, with no small amount of pleasure, to update you with good tidings regarding Lola. He has taken well to surgery and is full recovery. During the surgery, however, we discovered that he is actually a female, which I suppose makes some sort of karmic sense given his, or should I say her, name.

Regarding the failed surprise -- the committee gathered into our uptown office in the pre-dawn hours of morning. It took us six solid hours of work, filled with laughter, emotion, and heartbreak to finalize the admit list. The room cheered every time we wrote another name on the Admit Whiteboard. Satisfied with our strongest class to date, I moved the whiteboard to the computer lab, ready to transcribe the names into our online database. Concurrently, my watch alarm beeped, reminding me to take the beans that were soaking for the chili out of the water.

It is very important to soak beans instead of buying them in a can. If forced to buy, La Preferida brand is best, but nonetheless, soaked beans will give you a flavor and texture simply unattainable through mechanized food processing. After finishing with the beans, I returned to the lab, eager to submit your names, so I may yet have enough time to let the chili simmer into a delicious halftime snack for our Super Bowl Party.

When I opened the door, sheer horror. A gaggle of nursing students had commandeered the board and were halfway into an animated game of Pictionary. "DISASTER!" I exclaimed.

The two drawers stopped their tasks in mid-stroke. "Nice, Jose," one said. "You're good at this game -- we've been on this word for almost a minute!"

I hardly could hear her words. My vision faded to pale white, and I sat down. Fingers trembling, I began the phone-tree. "Mary," I said, voice shaking. "This is not a drill. Activate Protocol Admit Erasure E2AA1."

So here I sit, writing this letter back in our conference room, waiting for the committee to reconvene. There will be no party this year at Columbia SON, but rather another six hours of deliberation. Please look forward to hearing from us next week, barring any additional unforeseen happenings. I can't take much of this anymore, either. Go Packers.

With all my best,

Jose Villa

Coordinator of Admissions

Chili Maker Extraordinaire

Columbia SON Three Ambulance Chicken Chili Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound cut-up boneless chicken thighs or ground chicken
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 leeks, trimmed, well rinsed, and chopped, or use 2 onions
  • 1 pound parsnips, celery root, or turnips (alone or in combination), peeled and chopped
  • 2 all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into dice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 whole ancho, chipotle, or other dried chile
  • 1 chopped habanero chile
  • 4 cups cooked (or 2 cans) white beans (like navy, lima, or cannellini), drained
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Preparation

1. Put the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, add the chicken, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and brown the meat well, stirring frequently. Remove the chicken and pour off some of the fat if you like.

2. Add the leeks to the pot and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the root vegetables and potato, along with the, sage, bay leaf, chile if you’re using it, and lime zest. Toss to coat in the oil then add the reserved chicken, another sprinkle of salt and pepper, and enough water to just cover everything. Bring to a boil, then adjust the heat so the chili bubbles steadily; partially cover.

3. When the vegetables are just getting soft, in 15 to 20 minutes (stick a small sharp knife in a piece of one to check), stir in the beans and a little more water if the mixture looks dry. Raise the heat a bit and continue to cook, stirring once or twice until the beans absorb the flavors and begin to thicken the chili, another 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve, garnished with some parsley if you like. (Or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days).

4. Study for NCLEX.

My plan for now, I guess, is to go make some chili, as I have been bouncing off the walls waiting for their decision!!!

As always, best of luck to all the applicants!!

Hahahaha oh my gosh that is the best admissions-related email I have ever read. That man is a gem! I don't know about you guys but I would not have made it through the admissions process without him.

I think I will also make some chili. And maybe do some iguana research because I am now very curious as to how one can differentiate between males and females, haha!

For the past two years, they made their decision on February 7th (I'm pretty sure that is the pattern I noticed when I stalked the previous years forums). Hope it is super super soon though! I am so anxious! Hope everyone else is hanging in there :up:

@Lauren, I've stalked as far back as I could, and this is what I saw:

2012: 2/7

2011: 2/7

2010: 2/11

2009: 2/4

2008: 2/3

The waiting is driving me nuts! I keep checking my email and logging into the site, just in case they posted it already!!!

And yes, I have called. The person who answered the phone said "In February" but wasn't any more specific. If anyone else calls, ask them if it will be delayed because of the deadline extension to 11/15? (I didn't think to ask until after I had hung up!)

Best of wishes to all the applicants---

Hey everyone! What website are you all talking about? Is it the "ApplyYourself" website? Or is there an other portal?

@ARickli, thanks for using your stalking skills for the greater good of prospective Columbia nursing students :) but lets hope it is not as late as 2/11 this year!

@FingersCrossed, yes we are talking about the apply yourself website, I believe there will be a new link on that portal when the decisions are up (which you will follow to view your electronic decision letter)

Does anyone know how many students they accept per specialty?

I was told that they don't really have set numbers for each specialties with the exception of midwifery and anesthesia. Midwifery has a maximum of 25. Online it says that the ETP class is generally between 160-180.

Thanks salinn! Any idea on total number of applicants?

Not sure about this year but the person I spoke to at CUSON said that some years it is 800+.

Not sure about this year but the person I spoke to at CUSON said that some years it is 800+.

Oh my! I had no idea that many applied.. that is so discouraging :(

Wow that is a lot. Well we will know soon enough!

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