Columbia BSN/MSN ETP 2014

Nursing Students School Programs

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I was surprised that there didn't seem to be a thread for this year's applicants to Columbia's ETP program. So I thought I would start one. The information session was today, but I wasn't able to go. :( I was hoping someone else went and would be able to post any admission statistics or tips for the personal statement they gave.

Thanks to the current ETP students for posting! I'm excited to hear more from you guys :)

Hi all! I am also applying to the ETP program and am finalizing my essay. Firstly, thanks to the current ETP students who have offered helpful advice and insight into the application process. It really makes things less stressful!

With regard to the essay, I was wondering if any of you could help me understand whether we should be talking about our past experiences? If you look at the prompt, it asks "how does your background inform your decision?" and I'm not sure if that means talk about all of your experiences that helped inform this decision? I'm trying to stick to the prompt and right now if I discuss some experiences the essay is way too long! So maybe they don't want to hear about your experiences and want us to use the 2 pages to answer why columbia, why advanced practice nursing over another advanced degree, and what are your strengths and weaknesses? Am I over-thinking this?! Thank you in advance!

Hi newmy123! I've been trying to discuss my past experiences in the context of how they relate to the questions in the prompt. For example, is there some event/experience in your past that shows your personal characteristics & or how did this experience lead you to want to become an APRN? It's been a challenge for me to get my essay down to 2 pages, but we can do it! :)

newmy123 definitely talk about your past experiences, it's how they get to know more about you as a person and not just you the person who wants to go specifically to Columbia.
Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

So I know this might seem like a silly question.. but does anyone have any idea how they will actually KNOW what font size our personal statement is written in? For standard fonts like Times New Roman, it is easy to tell.. but I have this font called "Browallia New" and at size 12, it shrinks my almost three page statement in Times New Roman size 12 to just over two pages. That is a lot less material to cut out of my statement.. I am just wondering if they will think that I changed the font size, whereas the size 12 of this font is just naturally smaller and still easy to read. Thoughts, anyone?

@ newmy123 - I second everything mgh26 and wellthen have said. In my opinion, tying in your experiences will help them understand you better and may help you stand out as a candidate. Good luck! :)

@ Mewei - Totally not a silly question...actually -- thanks for breaking the ice and asking! Heh! I am contemplating the same thing with Arial Narrow. I've tested out the readability, but feel uncomfortable using any other font than the standard Times New Roman. When I chopped down my statement to 2 pages using Times New Roman, it seemed so bare. I would love to hear what others think as well.

hey all! I finally just submitted my application and had a few questions that I thought someone might know the answer to. It says I am missing my GRE score report .. I typed in my scores in the space provided and saved it. Were we also supposed to get some kind of official copy mailed in? I didn't see instructions for that.

Also, it says I am missing a 'reference' .. does anyone know what this is? All 3 of my recommendations are in.

Thanks!

Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

I would assume you have to send your GRE scores officially from ETS. About your recommendation, I would email or call the admissions office and let them know that you have all three submitted and see what they have to say about it. Sorry that's probably not too helpful of an answer.

Edit.. I just went ahead and looked at Columbia's website and this is what they said for the GRE.. Because they provide their school code I would go ahead and say that they require an official copy your GRE score report.

  • If you have not taken the GREs within the last 5 years, please schedule a test date atwww.gre.org. Our school code is: 2142. You will need to indicate the school code at the time of taking the exam. Applicants are recommended to take the GREs at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline.

Thanks for your reply! I did the GRE years ago so I didn't even think to send my official scores, makes sense though. It's weird because it actually does say that all my recommendations are in, it just says I am missing something called a 'reference,' no idea what that is. I will call them today.

Hi everyone! Has anyone noticed that the preview of their application is missing some major items (resume, essay, etc)? I can see everything has been uploaded in the online system but the preview doesn't show it :(. I know that admissions sent an email today about this--has anyone else experienced this? Thank you!!

aiwish I also used Arial Narrow and was comfortable with it because in Times New Roman I was only over the page limit by 3 lines. It was readable and they don't put a req on the font style so I would still try and cut down the essay but use a space-freeing readable font if you feel that youre just cutting the quality of your essay along with those sentences.

dee789 The same thing with the missing GREs happened to me. What I dis in order to not see that pesky missing status is upload a screenshot of my GREs converted it to PDF (which isnt entirely necessary) and that got rid of the missing status.

mewei Also I went to the information session and was told that you don't have to mail a thing in until you are notified of your acceptance. But if your really freaking out having the scores sent and emailing the school might help take some of the edge off.

Thanks! I actually emailed/called them and they said it was fine if my official scores came in a few days late. Mgh26, I got an email from admissions yesterday stating that they are aware of that problem and working on fixing it, so I think it's fine.

Good luck everyone!

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