Columbia University-ETP

Ooo - I just remembered some other questions from earlier in the thread.

As for GRE scores and GPAs, they really were emphasizing that essays and references were most important. The only specific numbers they gave indicated that a 3.0 undergraduate GPA is generally what they consider desirable, but last year's average was around a 3.6. Nothing was really said about the GRE, perhaps because those of us who had already applied were separated from the flock when it came time to discuss the application process, so I may have missed those details.

Annnd, it sounds like clinical experiences, like hospital volunteering, are helpful but not expected. They emphasized that applicants come from diverse backgrounds and no one path is considered ideal.

High hopes!

Amanda

Amanda,

YOU ROCK! I think it's probably making a lot of us feel better to know that someone had personal contact with them recently. Are you from the area? What specialty did you apply to? Did they indicate exactly when the decisions would be up?

Sevillaes -

I'm glad to provide some comfort!

No, I'm not from the NYC area - I live in New Orleans, but wanted to get up there and get a feel for the place, the program, and the people (all turned out to be wonderful!). Plus, JetBlue is just a godsend with affordable direct flights and I'm fortunate to have a supportive and flexible boss!

Along with aspiring.midwife, I applied to dual specialties in Women's Health and Nurse-Midwifery.

As for decisions, they didn't give any more information than is already on this message board. Decisions will be made and sent in the "first week of February." They should be available online before paper letters arrive, but the details of where and how aren't clear. I assumed it would be on the application site? I guess they'll send us an email or we can call if it's Feb. 7th and we've heard nothing.

Amanda, thanks for all the great info! I just called Jose to check if they received my GRE scores which I had to resend and I asked again when decisions would be out. He just said first week of February again, but it was nice to actually hear it from him. He said that if we just log in to the website where we submitted our application our decision will be posted there. The next two weeks are going to go by soooooooo slow!!! Good luck to everyone!

I also called Columbia today to check and see if I could get my decision (I was accepted to BC and deposit is due Feb 2nd) and they were very firm when saying they could not release any information until next week. Guess we'll all have to wait it out!

Hey Redsox17,

I got into BC as well! Do you think your going to go? My letter says the deposit isn't due until February 9th. Yours is due the 2nd? Strange...I think I actually may be leaning toward BC. I absolutely LOVE the campus, I've heard extremely positive things about the program, and all the nurses I've talked to in the program (family friends) say to not worry about getting a job in nursing if you go to BC. I'm still thinking about Columbia...but the more I've talked about it I think I may be leaning toward BC or Yale (depending on whether or not I get into Yale) because of the smaller class sizes and the feeling of more support systems I got from being there...I don;'t know, Columbia's program seems to be pretty amazing though judging from the posts I've seen on this thread...but I guess I got to get in before I even make a decision haha. Good luck to you all!!!

I've written my message twice (clearly this website thinks I'm spending too much time on it...it's a midterm distraction, what can I say)...but the point is: Congrats to the two of you! and I hope, for your, and the rest of our sanity's, sake that they release the decisions on Monday (or else I might start foaming at the mouth or performing other inhuman nervous tics)
Good luck to all! I can't wait to hear all of our stories (all good I hope)!
:uhoh:

Congrats to you too!! I got a scholarship to BC so maybe that's why they wanted it earlier? After my talk with Columbia today, I'm 100% going to BC. Without a doubt Columbia is an AMAZING program with a stellar reputation, but I didn't feel like it was the place for me. Plus the cost of Columbia was through the roof, and the cost and time-frame of BC's program was particularly attractive to me. I'm so excited about BC and I have a really great feeling about my decision. Everyone that I've talked to raved about BC; I think its arguably the best program in Boston. Good luck with your decision!!

And Sevillas...

I saw your other post about having to file as a dependent for Columbia, and I did too. I actually didn't file for aid because I thought it was strange they would ask me to file before actually giving me a decision. When I talked to the FinAid guy (Oscar) he said I could file after if I got in. I didn't want to file one FAFSA one way and all my other school's FAFSA's another way. It just seemed weird I guess. Hope this helps!

Congrats Redsox17!!! I'm so happy for you!! Maybe we will be future classmates! Are you planning on getting an apt near campus, commuting, etc. I live about 30 minutes from BC, but I think I may be shopping for an apt this spring/summer..who knows. Have you finished up all the prereqs? I think I may have to take orgo during the summer (which is a perk for columbia..no orgo! haha)