Columbia University ETP Program 2013

Pizzamyheart · Oct 24, 2012

I logged into the website, and my status still says submitted. I'm a bit nervous too....I wonder if they're doing it in a particular order by speciality or last name. I think I will call because if perhaps something of mine went missing....I'd want to get it in to be considered for the regular deadline.Trying not to be too concerned...but can't help but be a little anxious :/

PNPhopeful · Oct 24, 2012

I was told that it takes them SO LONG to sort through application material that it can take weeks just to get confirmation that your application is ready to review. So no need to worry just yet :)

Pizzamyheart · Oct 24, 2012

PNPhopeful thanks for the kind words!! I just called, and they said all my transcripts are in but didn't have access to any status information. The lady on the phone informed me that if we had any more detailed questions, we should shoot them an email.

I guess best thing to do is sit tight and wait. I can't help but hold my breath!!

I think I get a little scared that I somehow messed up and want to try to get it together before the regular deadline. They picked up pretty fast by phone though if anyone is trying to contact them!

Pizzamyheart · Oct 25, 2012

Finally received an email this morning, so they're definitely still processing them. Thanks for easing the nerves PNPhopeful and laurenmw!

cjacobs2 · Oct 27, 2012

Thank you for the validation PNPhopeful and LaurenMW! Still haven't received my email yet but I feel better knowing this is to be expected!

dee73 · Nov 1, 2012

I hope Columbia and their hospital is okay after Hurricane Sandy! I heard about the NYU hospital and how the generators stopped working during the storm. What a tragedy! Thoughts and prayers for those affected by the storm.

hollysf · Nov 1, 2012

Has everyone received their email about their applications being sent to admissions? I still haven't heard from them, but I assume the storm set them behind and so I guess I shouldn't worry?

dedicatedone · Nov 1, 2012

I'm a current student in the program and wanted to give everyone a heads up that emails may have been delayed after Hurricane Sandy. The entire Columbia campus was closed Monday and Tuesday and there was a skeleton staff present on Wednesday. Today (Thursday 11/1) was the first day the entire campus came back to life. The ETP group has had the last 4 days off from school! With transportation still being an issue, staff may have difficulties coming into the office. Hopefully things resolve soon and this doesn't delay communication out to all much longer. Good luck to you all! I know how nervous you may be feeling right now. Let me know if I can be of any help to you. Feel free to pm me :)

ferminadaza · Nov 3, 2012

hello everyone!

I have a lot of nervous energy tonight and have been poring over the ETP archives. I can't believe we have to wait til February!

I haven't seen a lot of prospective/current PMHNP students on here - are you out there?

I applied A WHOLE TWO WEEKS AGO for the priority deadline. My background is in visual art - I have a BFA and have spent the time since working as a nanny, art teacher, and making paintings. I have a 3.6 undergrad GPA and 3.9 pre-req GPA. My GREs were 170V, 157Q. I got a 4 on the writing component, which was lower than I expected. But hopefully it's not weighed too heavily? I think my statement is articulate and non-generic (though of course I'm still obsessing over the little things I might change now).

I have 150+ hrs volunteering/interning in NYC. I have at least two (presumably wonderful) letters of reference, but my academic letter may not be especially specific - I'm 6 years out of undergrad at this point and my pre-req courses are not exactly intimate.

From what I can tell, stat-wise, I think I'm in the running. Good luck to everyone! I'd love to hear from anyone in the psych specialty.

CU2012 · Nov 3, 2012

Hi applicants!

I'm a current ETP student and I just wanted to come on here and offer you support. I thought the nursing school application process was really wrenching and exhausting, so I just want to tell you all to hang in there - you will make it! By the time you're a few weeks into your first semester of school you will barely remember all the painful waiting (I know that seems impossible, but it will happen).

I'm happy to answer as many of your questions as I can. Congrats to those of you who have already submitted your apps, and good luck to the rest of you as you finish up!

the healer's art · Nov 3, 2012

Thanks CU2012 I have lots of questions! How do you like the program? Do you get a choice in where you do your clinicals? Does the faculty seem supportive? Are most of the students succeeding? What were your stats when you applied? What's the program like? I wish there were blogs or something about the experience because I'm so curious about what DE programs are really like!

dedicatedone · Nov 4, 2012

Hey the healer's art, hopefully I can help you just as much as CU2012 can :)

As far as my experience goes, there are pros and cons to the program as there are with any other program. For me, one of the best things I like about this program is that it is the fastest program in the country that I know of in terms of the 1st year (BSN phase). The majority of the professors are great resources and have had pretty amazing experiences to pull from which adds to the richness of the courses. With that being said, this program for me is grueling and tough due to how fast paced this program is. You're some of the brightest and best students in the country which is great because you can work with one another - problem being, you have to find a group of people that work the way you work. I was lucky enough to find that but there are people who struggle with that. Also, a huge con for me is the administration. There are too many issues that stem from the office that I get frustrated that the staff is not more organized.

In terms of clinical, you do not get to choose your site. You are placed at one of a handful of hospitals throughout the entire city. All of which though are accessible via public transportation except one site in psych which they provide a shuttle for. When it comes to the actual clinical, the ETP class is broken up into 4 separate groups to participate in one rotation at a time (Meg/Surg, Psych, OB, and Peds).

The faculty for the most part do seem supportive. There are some faculty in my experience who are less helpful than others but I think you will find that is not an issue that pertains to Columbia only.

In terms of students succeeding, trust me, most are doing extremely well. You'll find that there is a large competitive nature among students here wether they will own up to it or not. However, you will find that there are many who are more than willing to help each other out to understand the material and work in teams to succeed. Ultimately, stress levels do get high but I think that stems from the disappointment students feel when they get anything less than an A. You'll come to hear that the honor society for the ETP class only invites the top 30% of the class - last year that meant you needed above a 3.85 I believe. So yes, I would have to say that students here do well.

I know that stats are a major factor and applicants love to hear about them. Mine were on the low end so hopefully it gives hope to those in similar positions :)

Undergrad GPA: 3.0

Pre-reqs: 4.0

Volunteer Hours: ~800 hours? Over the course of 3 years. Completed in several units and community clinics.

GRE: V 420 M 660 (not sure how this would translate to the new GRE format)

Language: English speaking only

Please know that the staff first read your personal statement before doing anything else (this includes looking at your stats). This was discussed in our orientation. They really do want to get a sense of the applicant before diving into the numbers. I heavily believe that my personal statement and letters of rec helped me with my admission.

The program overall is an exciting one to be in but I would be lying if I say I don't think about how my life would be if I chose another program or option (not like there were many). Ultimately I am happy with my decision because of the fact that this is one of the faster programs in the country for the first year and my heart knows that I am not going to be an RN, but rather a Nurse Practitioner. Certain administration make it seem like you HAVE to work as an RN before going on, but that is not how our program is designed. Sure, I do want to work as an RN for a small period of time to gain more experience but the two roles of very different. I think that by truly understanding the difference between the two roles will help make your experience here a lot easier. This program will test your ability to time manage and perform at the highest level at all times like you have never experienced before. BUT the rewards of working with some of the top professionals in the field are well worth it. Especially if you get to have clinical's at any of the NYP hospitals :)

Sorry for the lengthy message but hopefully this adds some more info for you all. Let me know if I can help in any way!