Columbia ETP Program 2012 entry

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Hi,

I plan on applying for the anesthesia program at Columbia and I wanted to know how the background of those that have been accepted look like to see if I'm even competitive enough apply.

Thanks!

thanks for the support i really appreciate it :) btw i'm slow on the lingo here...whats snafu?

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I just graduated, and have spent the past four years in New Orleans. I'm living in New York, and am applying in NY and Boston programs as well!

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Hey knh39! I'm applying for pediatrics! I am super excited to know there is someone else here doing the same thing! I just submitted a couple of days ago, and now I feel like the hardest part is beginning ---THE WAIT. What is your background like, where are you from? Why did you choose Peds?

Applying Early Decision? Good Luck with your applications!

Thanks!! You too!

I am applying early decision. I'm SO happy they have that option this year- I think the wait might have killed me otherwise, lol. My background is what worries me somewhat in terms of my qualifications. I have a BA in Sociology with a minor in Psychology, and I'm almost done with my MPH in Urban Health Policy and Administration. I have a couple of years of experience working in the medical field, and I have internship experience doing early-intervention nutrition counseling with children ages 2-6. I'm from Long Island originally, been living in NYC since I graduated undergrad a few years ago. I love it here! I chose Peds for a few reasons- primarily because I love working with kids and think childhood health is so important. What about you?

I just put the finishing touches on my essay and am submitting tonight. Maybe a little last minute, but I'm so glad I have my application exactly the way I want it!

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Thanks!! You too!

I am applying early decision. I'm SO happy they have that option this year- I think the wait might have killed me otherwise, lol. My background is what worries me somewhat in terms of my qualifications. I have a BA in Sociology with a minor in Psychology, and I'm almost done with my MPH in Urban Health Policy and Administration. I have a couple of years of experience working in the medical field, and I have internship experience doing early-intervention nutrition counseling with children ages 2-6. I'm from Long Island originally, been living in NYC since I graduated undergrad a few years ago. I love it here! I chose Peds for a few reasons- primarily because I love working with kids and think childhood health is so important. What about you?

I just put the finishing touches on my essay and am submitting tonight. Maybe a little last minute, but I'm so glad I have my application exactly the way I want it!

Wow, it really sounds like you have nothing to worry about! Isn't it a great feeling...having everything the way you want it and being done? I am so happy that they are offering ED. Columbia is my first choice, I've gone up to their info sessions and I am really hoping I get accepted to their program.

Like I said, I recently graduated. I spent the past four years in New Orleans. I became really invested in helping in the recovery process after Katrina. I did a large amount of work with children in a rehabilitation center for women and their children doing play-therapy. It really was the light that went on for me. I was really moved by my experience and found it extremely challenging.

I majored in neuroscience. I really enjoy biology and psychology, but I have come to realize, I want to work with patients and not in a lab setting. I did research for an endocrinology laboratory, and worked primarily on the behavioral end. I am interested in preventing/treating childhood diabetes, abnormalities in growth development.

So, Im living in New York now and I just started working at a hospital in the Peds department. Loving it, and Im glad Im getting the experience!

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Hey applicants! I hope you're not going nuts over the waiting game. It's been a busy fall for us ETPers, but I finally logged in to see that I left someone with questions back in Sept... my bad!

The number of people admitted per program definitely varies. I know we have about 170-174 people in our 2011 class. I *think* the specialties break down something like 20 midwifery, 10 Anesthesia, many more FNP (35? 40?) and an even mix of PNP, Adult, Psych, Women's, Acute. Midwifery has a cap on it, so does Anesthesia (due to clinical placement limitations I believe). There are students I know now who have already switched into midwifery from the waitlist to switch in from other specialties (so it happens!), but there's also still a waitlist (so not everyone gets it!). The earlier you know you want to switch into a specialty, the easier it is to make that happen. You have to re-apply to switch into Anesthesia though. Switching between FNP, PNP, Women's, Adult, Acute and Psych is not a problem from what I can tell- either because more people switch around in those, or there's more flexibility in the master's area for those specialties (more placements maybe?).

Addressing the disorganization comments- sure. There's some administrative hiccups here and there- they just installed a new courseworks system (like Blackboard, you check all your assignments on there, etc.), which was mighty frustrating to relearn, but overall the experience has been overwhelmingly a positive one.

Costs- your numbers look about right from what's been posted. I will say I'm paying less in rent than Columbia anticipated in their financial aid calculations. I'm at $700/month, 2 blocks from campus, with 3 roommates in the program, 2 of the roommies are only paying $550/mo. Yeah- AWESOME for Manhattan, so go find roommates on visiting day.

As for working during the program: ETP year you'd be insane to work! BUT certain master's specialties ENCOURAGE you to work during the master's portion, and setup your class schedule to facilitate you having a job as an RN. The FNP director definitely wants you to work full or part time (I'm in that tract so that's the one I know best). I have heard of PNP master's students working as well (maybe not full time). Midwifery it is discouraged. You also have the option of taking an entire year leave of absence to work in between the BSN and MSN, which a lot of students take advantage of. Or you can do the master's part time and work also.

Update from what's waiting for you in a year: today was my first day on our OB rotation. I helped welcome a beautiful baby into the world. AMAZING. Can't wait for day 2.

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Wow, at the rate I'm going, you're all going to ban me from posting. Look at how long that was...

:redpinkhe

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Hiya everyone,

Well, I just hit the "Submit" button and my application went zinging off over the Internet. What a relief. I'm applying ED to the Adult NP program with an oncology concentration. I applied last year and didn't get in. I spent the past seven months working hard to improve the strength of my application. I must admit that most of you seem to have a *lot* more volunteer/medical experience than I. I'm a full-time high school teacher in NYC and I've been caring for my sick mother since January, so between work, my mom, and taking the prereqs I've not had any time for extra activities. I admire all your diverse areas of expertise!

Anyhow, Yale is due next, November 1st. Onwards and upwards. I really want to go to Columbia, not Yale, but I'm not going to put all my eggs in one basket again. Fingers crossed, good luck to everyone.

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Thanks, jqfish, for all the information. Feel free to post often - we're a bundle of nerves over here. :D

Congrats on submitting, chula5008! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you to get an acceptance letter this time!

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I'm applying for psych, anyone else? It seems like it's a less popular specialty, but it's always been my interest. I tend to waft between feeling like I have a strong application to feeling like "omg what if that one B in that one random class prevents me from getting in!". Hehe. I think I just need to focus on my other apps and try and forget until December - easier said than done!

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Hi Myelin,

I thought about applying for Psych, but I am most interested in eventually working in the geriatric oncology or palliative care fields. Psych was tempting, especially since I may join the Navy as a nurse. The highest demand is for Psych NPs, or so I'm told.

Good luck!!

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Hi Guys,

I submitted my application last night. I felt the same as everyone else: As soon as I submitted my application I began to question whether or not my application was strong enough. Ahhhh! I'm so worried!! :bluecry1:

Anyway, good luck to those who still have to submit. :)

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