Thought I would start a Columbia thread for all of us who were eagerly waiting for that acceptance letter in the mail last week. Guess you can call this the meet-n-greet and maybe wear like a sticker with our screen names so we can recognize each other during the Visiting Day (ok, might look a bit goofy) but hey, what a way to start off our nursing careers together at Columbia.
I was estactic when i opened that letter, seemed like a thin envelope and was prepared for the worst, and then read the first line! I can't wait and indeed it was a life changing letter for both me and my wife, who also got accepted!! I also got into my first choice of specialty, Nurse Anesthesia, and getting into that program without ICU experience (besides being a nursing assistant in the ER and neurosurg unit as an undergrad) is just simply overwhelming. It took the whole weekend to sink in, and now, I'm psyched! I look forward to meeting all of you and enduring the next 12 months of craziness starting in June together.
Oh, I'm upset I'm missing all this fun stuff you guys are doing! you must report in detail about Visiting Day and whatnot--I still haven't made my final decision.........
I know bics, I'm with you on that! I sooo wanted to visit Columbia anyway! But after seeing all the numbers, of course it's save every penny from now on!
Per TOS, I can't post my phone number, but you are welcome to PM me for it. I should be back up by campus by around 1:30. I seem to recall the toury things being over by 2 ish. I'm happy to lead people around the neighborhood, since the tour only shows you the campus buildings. I'm also happy to take people up to my apartment so you can see what's available for the money, I'd just need to know by, like, Saturday so I can clean a bit. I live like a caveperson, and I don't want to freak y'all out!
Yes, I would love to meet up with you, Gretchen, and whoever else (Elizabells?) can make it for dinner. That sounds like fun. I will be heading back to New Haven that evening, but I am taking the train, so no big rush. Me and Julie will be coming in for St. Patrick's Day weekend, so maybe if you are around she could have a chance to meet you guys...
bics-
We are still holding out hope that you will smarten up and come to Columbia!! :chuckle
saw that you finally received your financial aid letter!!Yeah!! Congrats, so then i guess Yale it is for you, huh? i know you still want to join us here in The big Apple... you know you do....
krystellmarie,
Gretchen should be around that weekend, however, I'll be off to Garden City in long island to teach SAT. And like Elizabells, you're more than welcome to come check out our apartment and the area as well. We live on 163rd and Fort Wash, very nice neighborhood too. PM me or Gretchen if you want to check it out, and as of now, our next door building has a 2 bedroom available (rent I think is about $1700, but well worth it for the space you get, and you'll know what i mean when you see it). Craigslist also will always have listing around Columbia, and when you do a search type in "columbia" or "washington heights" to cover the Columbia Medical Center area.
Someone invited me over to this thread from another one and I wanted to post my comments for new acceptees. I have had an AMAZING experience at Columbia as an ETP student. I've worked my butt off and had some major stress outs, but I've had an awesome time and am looking forward to starting midwifery in the summer. For those who might be interested in MW, get on the waiting list ASAP. Chances are you will eventually get in. The director of the program met with us several times this year and every time asked us to seriously evaluate our commitment to midwifery and the activisim involved in the practice. (She considers midwifery to be 60% activism and 40% practice, just to keep the profession alive.) Many people have decided it is not for them.
I have had only 1 5X5 prof whom I felt was terrible, but she is also VERY new at teaching and may improve. 2 were out of this world unbelievable and the other 2 were very good... though they started the year with extremely poor reviews, they've taken student comments to heart and been worked with by more experienced educators to become better teachers which was really apparent by the time I got to them this semseter.
I am a student advisory counsel member, and I recommend everyone try to get involved in this. It is a position elected by your classmates and it truly effects change. The schedule and curriculum is currently being adjusted for y'all based on the committee's work. I think being a part of this is one of the reasons why I've had such a great year. A student government is also in the process of being formed, so get involved there if you can too. (Though SAC reps will not be able to be members of the SG because of conflict of interest.) I really, truly believe that the key to having a good year in ETP is GETTING INVOLVED. Don't sit at home and talk with your roommate about how much it sucks. If you don't like something, work to get it changed. The administrations listens to you!
Another change coming is greater contact with current masters students, so you can get the scoop on everything you have to look forward to. Expect to meet with a group of student reps from the masters program at least 2 times throughout the year. We will also be available via email for any questions at any time.
I have to agree w/Elizabells about our financial aid dude. You have to stay on top of it at all times. When in doubt, go to the CUMC financial aid office, which is the central office, in the black building. They'll get stuff done for you. Also, all private loans are credit based. I recommend going to myfico.com and buying their package. You'll get all your credit scores and they'll help you write letters to get them fixed if there are problems.
As for the money. Yes, it cost a buttload, but remember that as an NP, if you are willing to work in an underserved area there are a lot of loan repayment opportunities out there. Investigate them thoroughly. Also, they're not much, but Federal Perkins Loans are forgiven for every year you work as an RN or APN (MP, CRNA, CNM).
IMHO, the MS programs that are most together are anesthesia, midwifery, acute care and family, also the oncology subspecialty kicks butt and its director is amazing.
I want to mention that we were the guinea pig year for some new profs and that did kind of suck, but by the end of the second semester with one, I saw such a marked improvement that I think y'all will really like her and I've personally had discussions with the other about how she is planning to improve that course for next year and I think it will be much better. She is unbelievably smart and knows her stuff so well, but just couldn't get it organized right last semester.
For those of you thinking of midwifery, the faculty in that program is to die for, and I have worked with several grads as a doula and have been totally impressed.
Some last words... one thing the director of the program has emphasized to us (the SAC) and we've tried to pass on to our classmates is that NO ONE graduates nursing school feeling like they can run out and be an independent nurse. She claims it takes about 5-6 months to really feel like a competent nurse upon graduation (and of course working!) from any program and that integration helps take a 2 month chunk out of that.
That being said, I am a student ambassador on visiting day, and I look forward to meeting you. Please feel free to PM me if you want my real name so you know who to look for. :)
ETA: There is something very important that I am forgetting right now, but when I remember I will post. :)
Wow, LB--thank you so much for the wonderfully thorough and encouraging info. I am so appreciative, and look forward to meeting you on visiting day!
It's true about the financial aid guy--for some reason they couldn't find my FAFSA info, even though I finished it weeks ago. The people at FAFSA said it was all ok on their end and that something must be wrong with the "central processing system" @ Columbia. So everybody, make sure you follow up with them!
I have a question--how can I get on the Midwifery wait list? And is it much more work to do joint Midwifery and another specialty?
Also, how many students work during the Masters part of the program, and is it easy to do?
Thanks again!! I'm definitely looking forward to March 7th!
Wow, that is hilarious to read these things on the financial aid peeps. I called a couple days ago and they told me the same thing--"ummmmm we can't find your FAFSA, ummmm maybe something's screwed up in the computer"--yeah whatever. and Yale said that too! Maybe it is the computers, or maybe all financial aid offices are impossible to work with!
nyacoustic--yeah, my financial aid from yale was fan-frickin-tastic so, I am for sure going to be a yalie--however I will be coming to NY as much as possible to party it up with all the columbians on this thread! hey, Krystellmarie and I are already virtual drinking buddies!:biere:
Specializes in Perioperative Orthopaedics - scrub/circ.
AWESOME LB!! Another "thanks" from over here!
Question for the veterans of ETP: Knowing the first year will be super-intense, what can I do now to prepare myself? I've pretty much started over in my A&P book, re-learning the muscles/nerves/bones/etc. Is there anything else we can do to prepare for ETP first year?
I remembered what I wanted to say earlier and I'll answer your question Suzie...
Someone mentioned the BS maybe not being awarded till the MS... that is not going to happen next year... in fact, even though the school has been talking about it forever, it probably won't happen until they move into the DrNP model which is still several years away. It could, but I wouldn't bet money on it. Also, one thing that many people have not been able to get into their head is that having the actual piece of paper awarded in October instead of May has absolutely no bearing on your ability to get a job. Here are the reasons: You are a bachelors prepared RN, with all of the requisite course and clinical work. You will be licensed AND you already have another degree. THAT is the kicker. Remember many of the schools that we all applied to and gave serious thought to attending (Yale and UCSF come immediately to mind) do not grant a degree at the end of the RN phase. I don't know about UCSF, but I think working as an RN while at Yale would be tough because you can't take the NCLEX until after the first semester of the masters program. This is nothing against either of those programs... both of which are awesome... I was *this* close to going to Yale, but ultimately made the decision for Columbia for a multitude of reasons. BTW, if any of y'all are Orthodox/Observant Jews, and are deciding between UPenn, Columbia and Yale I can help you out with what can be expected at these three schools.
Also, many students have not enjoyed their experience at Columbia at all, for a variety of reasons that are too complex to get into. If you are coming from far away, really try to prepare for the culture shock of NYC. It can be extreme. This is also a school run by people in the "New York State of Mind." Be ready to take that on. Make good, positive friends during the summer. Try not to hang out with people who are negative all the time, it will only make you feel negative all the time too. A good support system is the most valuable thing you can create for yourself. I became very close with three classmates over the summer and we have been each other's biggest cheerleaders as well as go-to people for venting. We have a good balance and that helps. The academics can be a real challenge due to sheer volume of material that is taught. Be prepared for that and organize your time well. It is possible to have a very fulfilling life outside of school if you have very good time-management skills.
Suzie,
When you arrive in the summer, make an appointment with the head of the midwifery dept (I don't know if we can name names on the forums, so PM me if you want that info) and tell her you'd like to get on to the wait list and be sure to have your reasons why. :) Like I said before, at some point in the year, it is likely you will get in. 18 of us were originally accepted into ETP-to-midwifery and there are currently only 13 ppl officially in the midwifery program for this coming year, some of whom were accepted off the wait list. 2 people are taking a year off and will be joining y'all for the clinical midwifery year... but this is only allowed in extenuating circumstances. If you do midwifery, you have to go straight through... the masters portion is 4 semesters back-to-back with no break, so it is all but impossible to work. I would say about 1/2-2/3 of people in the other programs are planning to work full time and go to school either full or part time. At this point, midwifery can be combined with the women's health NP subspecialty and I think we are split about 1/2 and 1/2 dual and single program. I am currently thinking single program because it won't change my scope of practice for the moment and I have some issues with the other specialty which you can email me about privately if you want my input. I hope I've answered your questions.
Please feel free (any of you) to PM me... I'll be happy to hand out my email address so that you can ask me questions at any time throughout the year. Oh yes, one last suggestion... don't spend too much time on these boards once you start school... I found it overwhelming and influenced me in a not so good way . Sometimes this much information (in terms of what can be found on all nurses) can just be overload. If you are going to spend time here, do it very judiciously. This is all, of course, MHO. I am sure some people find the info extremely helpful. :)
I'll keep an eye on this thread, but can probably be more helpful off the boards. See some of you Tuesday!
you know you do....
. Sometimes this much information (in terms of what can be found on all nurses) can just be overload. If you are going to spend time here, do it very judiciously. This is all, of course, MHO. I am sure some people find the info extremely helpful. :)
bics
50 Posts
LOL!!:rotfl:
Oh, I'm upset I'm missing all this fun stuff you guys are doing! you must report in detail about Visiting Day and whatnot--I still haven't made my final decision.........