Columbia ETP Program 2012 entry

rg06c · Feb 9, 2012

I guess we've got our first question about family/friends coming along answered from the Visiting Day invitation:
"Please be advised that due to the number of expected attendees, we will be unable to accommodate guests."

I guess my mom will have to do her own thing for the day, I am sure she won't be too disappointed lol.

arap · Feb 9, 2012

@rg06c My dad is all disappointed. He texted me and said he wanted to come with me! I haven't even made any decisions yet but he is very excited lol.

Fry123 · Feb 9, 2012

Hi EmmaNP,

I am waitlisted as well. From reading the post some people have indicated they are not going to attend, but I am sure there is only a small percentage of people on this site who are attending. What is your specialty? Mine is ANP. Well best of luck!

NPRose · Feb 9, 2012

Are they any ETP alumni or anyone with experience who can give insight on the importance of going to an ivy league school over others? With some professions, you can go anywhere and it wouldn't matter. Others, where you go makes a difference in the job market and other respects. Can someone tell me where on the spectrum NPs lie? I think it will help me with my decision...

EmmaNP · Feb 10, 2012

I applied as FNP-probably one of the more popular (darn!) Good luck to you, as well!

NPRose: I have heard SUCH mixed information about ivy league/big name schools versus others. I know some incredibly successful nurses who went to reputable but not ivy league/huge name schools. It's not like hospitals say, "Oh, you went an ivy league program? here's a job, plus 20k extra salary!" haha. I think it's honestly a crap shoot, and what you make of a program and how well you do. I am struggling with the same thing myself (although at this point, the big namers dont seem to want me, haha) BUT would think that big namers would have better networking opps? There is another thread somewhere on this website about the debate, it has some more info.

Personally, I think if you graduate as a stellar NP ready to take on patient care in all its complexity and difficulty, it doesnt matter where you went, only that the program has a good rep and provides plenty of clinical hours.

Other things I have heard is that for BSN, go for a cheaper school, do amazingly, and then apply to top-tier grad programs from there. That is my new plan if Columbia doesnt work out for me.

Does anyone else have any input? Sorry, feel like I'm rambling, but school app process is taking over my LIFE!!!!

dedicatedone · Feb 10, 2012

No worries EmmaNP. I totally understand how you feel about school apps taking over your life. I think since last Winter I've been carrying around a binder with nothing but information for all of the programs I'm applying to, references, personal information, etc. It got pretty crazy!

As far as the Big Name schools/Ivy League vs. other programs, I've been researching and I haven't found and real proof that they lead to higher salary. From what I was reading from the previous years was that it definitely helps networking. Does this mean more of an opportunity to find a position? Maybe. But it does expose you to having a large population to connect with. For me, that is important because I have found networking to be extremely useful in large groups of people to get some of the volunteer opportunities I participated in. I feel that my volunteer work was a huge factor in my acceptance because my GRE and GPA were well below the average. These opportunities really helped me understand nursing and that was reflected in my personal statement. I would also love to hear from current ETPers their thoughts.

I have not committed 100% to this program as I am waiting on one more decision before accepting Columbia's offer. Plus, like others I want to see what my Financial Aid Award will be like.

BTW - random, but I love that when I sign on to this thread, i see the same readers on this site. I can tell we all will be a huge support group for one another :)

(sorry for the long post! EEK)

anniika · Feb 10, 2012

Washington Hts is safe. Lots of Columbia University Medical Campus (CUMC) students live in the general vicinity of 168th and Ft. Washington -- whether in students housing or in an apt. in the area. Fifty years ago, this section of the city was heavily Jewish; today it's heavily Dominican: that's the nature of American cities, the new immigrants always go to the cheapest places.

In response to a prior comment, CUMC is not in Morningside! Depending on how you calculate it, CU is either the biggest or second biggest landholder in NYC. There are Columbia sites all over the city, but the two biggest are main campus -- at Broadway & 116th, and the medical campus -- at 168th & Ft. Washington.

In terms of the value of an Ivy League education to a career in nursing, I can tell you that most nursing faculty at Columbia, as elsewhere, graduated from reputable nursing schools, not Ivy League programs. As more and more people enter the profession, it's possible that there will be career benefit to Ivy League graduates, but overall, unless you're planning on pursuing a PhD in nursing, most people with experience in the profession will tell you there is no difference in terms of RN/NP hirability and salaries. My guess is b/c the vast, vast, vast majority of people doing the hiring in the field did not themselves go to an Ivy League school, it doesn't impress them in the least. Plus, and you'll find this is out wherever you go to school, the nursing profession is all about credentialing -- how many certifications you have, how many ridiculous acronyms you can put after your name -- and not about your alma mater. In fact, if you do decide Columbia is the school for you, you will encounter many highly accomplished preceptors (non-faculty clinical instructors) who will express to varying degrees the sentiment that you are crazy to spend that much money on a nursing degree.

But ultimately you're the one who will be paying back the loans, and you're the one who assigns value to your academic credentials. If someday you want that office with that Columbia, Penn, Yale diploma on the wall, it's gonna cost you. I personally decided it was worth the cost b/c I am a self-admitted academic snob, but I can easily see how people could decide it's not. I have a friend who's leaving CU to get an NP at a top-notch state school, and her tuition dropped by 80 percent. She's extremely intelligent, super hard working, will be a fabulous NP, and, at the end of the day, insofar as actual hiring goes, our resumes will be the same.

If you're unsure, I definitely do recommend coming to visiting day and talking to current students, esp. when there aren't faculty or administrators around -- you're more likely to get unvarnished answers.

NPRose · Feb 11, 2012

As inspiring as all these answers are, I was hoping to read that you think it does matter, as it would make my decision to go to Columbia so much easier. I guess the struggle of choosing continues...

ColumbiaETP · Feb 11, 2012

I think that it is really a personal decision and you need to weight the pros and cons- there is no right answer, its personal. I think a huge factor should be considering student loans and especially the effect that debt will have on your life afterwards. Either way, getting as much information and foresight will help with the decision. My husband went to grad school right away and just signed off on a loan and did not comprehend how it will change his entire life from the day he graduated. Granted he was much younger then, but it is important to look at this decision practically and knowledgeably so that whatever the decision is, you know you made the right one for your self.

ARickli · Feb 13, 2012

Hello all! This has been a fascinating and informative thread to follow- so many of you have provided such incredible insight to the application process and even some to what the ETP program at Columbia is like. I can only hope that my year is as encouraging, supportive and verbose as you all are!

To that end, congratulations to those of you who have been accepted to Columbia for 2012. For those of you who did not get accepted this year, if you are considering applying next year, I have started a thread here for applicants for the 2013 program. I look forward to meeting and corresponding with some of you and hopefully, we will also be celebrating at this time next year!

dedicatedone · Feb 13, 2012

Thank you ARickli for encouraging words :) I was having a difficult morning trying to wrap my head around the possibility of relocating to New York. It was nice to be reminded how truly supportive everyone here is on this board. I want to also say thank you to all!

How's everyone doing with their FAFSA? I just filed my taxes so I am trying to get things in order. I guess the FinAid office was pretty overwhelmed last week based off of their email update they just issued. Hopefully we can receive our packages before March 2nd so we can discuss when we're there.

danceluver · Feb 13, 2012

all of those who are applying to programs in which some you are considered a grad student and others undergrad (for at least part of the program); how are you filing your fafsa? As a 5th year/postbacc or a grad student? Are you just going in and resubmitting changes once one application has been submitted?