Columbia BSN/MSN ETP 2014

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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.

@wellthen - is your interview for the traditional or hybrid program? they are completely different as far as I can tell. I was interviewed for and accepted into the traditional program and everyone has been very responsive - I was actually contacted by the program director herself to congratulate me on my acceptance. NEU is a way smaller program than Columbia or MGH - they take 22 people for their traditional program and they also require you to work 6-9 months as an RN between the Bachelors and Masters portions. So it really depends on what makes the most sense for you. I am still deciding and also waiting to hear from a few more schools, but I do appreciate a small cohort and emphasis on RN work experience that NEU offers.

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sweet03nesy, that sounds about right to me! Although I am sure some people will also decline after they get the financial aid package and after visiting day as well. But yea, I am sure the majority of people who don't want to accept probably just won't pay the deposit when the time comes and we'll probably hear then.

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selizabethk -I applied for the traditional program so I'm hoping that is what the interview is for. I also read about the 6-9 month requirement which doesn't interest me at the moment though I can see the value in having that be apart of the program. I do appreciate a smaller class size but 22 is a little smaller than I would like but it's flattering to be offered an interview for a program with such a low admissions rate. Yale admits about 80 students which sounds comparatively less extreme than CUSON and NEU. Columbia's size does sound like it wouldn't be hard to feel alienated but I'm sure there are parameters in place to avoid that as much as possible.

Did you do a phone interview? I'm pretty sure that I'll be going that route (unless my boyfriend is feeling like a day trip up to Boston is needed ;))

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Hi AutumnRain, I don't think this statement makes much sense

"Regarding licensing, the NP license if awarded in NY must be used for at least six months in state before it is transferable to other states. So consider this when timing out your life. You will need to stay in NY for an extra 6 months after conferral of the MSN. If you choose to NOT do this, depending on the state you get licensed in, you will need to work under a medical professional for a varying number of hours. BASICALLY, being underpaid and over supervised!"

Licensing exam for NPs is federal, and then each state governs NPs differently...so I don't see why you would get licensed in NY if you didn't plan on practicing there. Just because you go to school in NY doesn't mean you have to stay there to work. It doesn't sound right to me. I will definitely keep asking around, and let you know what I find.

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Agree with ariahealingarts. I currently work with an NP who went to Columbia... immediately upon graduation she moved to California. Had no problems with licensing. She said it is Federal. Different states apply/treat the license in different way (prescribing privileges, level of autonomy, requirement for collaborative agreements, etc.) but you are always licensed the whole time.

But this is a great question to ask at accepted students day. I would feel better hearing this come straight from their mouths. "No you are not required to stay as a condition of getting licensed." I don't want to be trapped in NYC (or anywhere) for any longer than need be.

I agree we Californians need to get back to our sunshine and happiness :yes: Bye New York

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Licensing exams are not federal...they are private exams administered by private organizations such as AANP or ANCC. License to practice in a state is based on the rules of that state and nothing else. For most states, the rules are completion of an accredited NP program and passing of a licensing examination. That's it. Just go to your states board and read requirements. For California you must:

Have a California RN license

complete and submit application and fee

Have program complete form that verifies completion of NP program

Have national organization complete form that you passed their respective licensing exam

Submit official NP transcripts

thats it.

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National licensing is the correct term, I should not have said "Federal" (I meant national, just used wrong word... sorry about that!)

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@ futureeastcoastNP and Droux--- thanks for clarifying, I did not mean to say federal either--i also meant national. My understanding is that you do not have to take the licensing exam every time you go to a new state. that would be ridiculous. you take one national exam from one of the governing bodies...and then make sure you keep up with your licensing dues/continuing ed/credentialing so you don't ever lapse and have to take it again!

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@ariahealingarts @futureeastcoastNP @droux @autumnrain :up:

Hey guys! For those of you discussing NCLEX and license regulations, this site seems helpful:The NCLEX and Moving Between States – An Easy Guide |

Copy/Pasted a little bit here:

"The NCLEX is a national exam and is valid in any state you want to practice in. It does not vary from state to state. RNs in Georgia take the same NCLEX as RNs in Nevada for example. However, there are a couple of hoops you need to jump through in order to get initial licensure and move. Essentially, although RNs and PNs take a national NCLEX exam – they do not have a national license. They have to get a state license in any state they wish to practice in by applying to each board individually. It is pretty straightforward once you have your initial license, but it can get confusing because each state does it a little differently. This allows each state to regulate their RNs and PNs as well as you must abide by a state nursing practice act of the state you practice in. The scope can be slightly different and you must take the responsibility to read up on your practice act and know it for yourself. "

@dee789 thanks for the reply! I'll pray for you, too! ;)

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Does anyone have information about the deferral process. If an accepted applicant wants to put off entrance for a year, under what conditions is it granted and how is it gone about?

Thank you

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Thanks everyone for your input! I'm still torn. I was just up at Columbia's campus this morning meeting with the office of financial aid. Despite the obvious benefits of the program itself in terms of rankings, ivy league status, etc., location and cost are still a problem for me. I grew up in NYC and love it here, but the CUSON campus is way north of anywhere I'd actually be spending time outside of classes/clinicals. It doesn't feel like a homey campus at all--it's very spread out and a bit run down to be honest. The library has three floors and is nice enough, but I wouldn't describe it as anything to rave about, and it's actually not reserved for the school of nursing since the school of public health is also right there. In terms of cost, the FA officer I met with told me that even if I am awarded all of the federal and need-based loans (which depends on my eligibility--determined by the Estimated Family Contributions from the FAFSA application), the maximum aid I will receive is $59,000, out of total $84,000 cost of tuition and mandatory fees. This leaves $25,000 I would need to meet via private loans, not to mention the $30,000 she told me all of the other costs (room and board, and non-mandatory fees such as books, transportation, and personal expenses) would be. So basically $55,000 would have to be paid out of pocket, for the ETP year alone. I've spoken to several NP's who graduated from the Columbia program, and more than one of them mentioned the fact that almost everyone they know from the program are still struggling to re-pay their loans, even people in their 30's, five to ten years after graduation. One said she's not sure she would go back and do it again, for that reason alone.

I'm not saying that MGH Institute is comparable to an in-state school tuition such as SUNY Downstate, but it is at least $20,000 cheaper than Columbia which to me makes a difference. Having been enrolled in small schools all my life, I think I would actually benefit from the smaller, more personal program size, and would also enjoy the pretty campus and living in Boston for a change! Not to mention Boston living costs are slightly cheaper than in New York. BUT I say this all out of speculation, and I am definitely going to go visit campus next weekend to get way more information about their program and hopefully talk to alums. They also have an information session scheduled for March 5th at 6pm for the direct-entry students. Anyway I am by no means trying to bash Columbia which is obviously an amazing program, just trying not to sugar coat it too much and really examine the pros and cons of each.

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Does anyone have information about the deferral process. If an accepted applicant wants to put off entrance for a year, under what conditions is it granted and how is it gone about?

Thank you

From what I understand, Columbia does not allow deferrals for the ETP program unless you are in the military. If you have an extenuating circumstance, talk to admissions and see if there is anything they can do. Good luck.

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