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!

hey all! i'm looking forward to meeting you at visiting day :)

did any of you receive a confirmation of your rsvp for visiting day? i rsvp'd, but i haven't heard anything since. i just want to make sure they'll have a spot for me, since the last day to respond is today!

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Hell yeah, where is this fbook group you speak of?

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# silvrdove : I did not receive a confirmation email for visiting day either. They probably are a bit overwhelmed and it might take some time. I wouldn't worry :)

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I never got a confirmation for visiting day either, but I've booked my flight and hotel so I hope they have a spot for me! Can't wait to meet everyone!!

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I spoke with admissions this morning and they indicated we should receive an email by the close of business day today or Monday. They are still waiting to collect RSVP's from admitted students before emailing us :)

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Thanks for calling, dedicatedone...I'll be on the look out for an email.

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@lastarfishista, I was accepted this year I don't know but I think my volunteer experience and the fact that I kept in close contact with admissions improved my chances. I'm not saying to be annoying, but jose knew my name by the end there. I called every two to three weeks just to touch base, I asked him how to make my application more competitive (although he rarely gave any concrete advice over he suggested doulas got priority, which I already was. If type not a doula start there. To give you my background, I'm a doula and an IBCLC, my undergrad was in maternal child health, I am half way through a masters in bioethics now, I volunteered in mexico s well as in tx in the border as a doula, I took a course in lay midwifery as well. I speak Spanish and english, have lived abroad and been a volunteer with Ameticorp as a doula, it's like the peace corp in the US. My GPA was anything special, 3.6 our so, and my GRE's weren't phenomenal either, though I don't remember the exact score. I also volunteered at homeless shelters and have been a birth doula in nyc for women in crisis pregnancy, and that was where I got my letter of ref. That was non nursing from. My other letters of ref were professors who were also semi big shots in the fields of breast feeding and womens health (Karin Cadwell being one of them). I really believe they look at the total package, which is the only reason I got in. there were plenty if reasons not to take me, and last year, before my graduation I applied and was waitlisted. I hope this helps, I'll pray for you too, it never hurts.

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To all the accepted CNMs for 2012:

Can you tell me a little bit about what it took to get in? I applied, but wasn't accepted. I actually thought myself a good candidate, so was surprised - and quite a bit disappointed :(

Best of luck in the program and beyond!!

I'm so sorry you weren't accepted, lastarfishista. I totally understand the impulse to want to know other people's stats and experiences, but - just in my opinion - that can only help so much.

I was on a small admissions committee a few years ago (for something totally unrelated) and by far and away the most important aspects of the many applications we received were, 1) the goal statement, and 2) the letters of reference.

There are probably some boiler plate things you can do if you haven't done them already and want to reapply - get significant experience as a doula, learn a second language well, demonstrate your commitment to serving underserved women though volunteer experiences, demonstrate your commitment to working with people of diverse backgrounds, retake the GREs and knock them out of the park - but those are just the standard things to do and you may have done them already.

Seeking help on rejiggering your goal statement is probably the most important thing in ensuring that the admissions committee understands why you're a unique applicant, as is making sure that the people who write you letters of reference are really going to write something stellar about you.

Best of luck!! :hug:

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I thought I'd just tag on to what LookingAhead and Doula Kerry said since they gave some great advice already...I agree with lookingahead in that the statement and letters of reference are really important. In my case, I had no previous experience with anything birth related, nor even nursing related, but I think my essay showed that I am really passionate about supporting and providing for women. I think they are looking for potential, and not necessarily previous experience. It's really a match thing too...I felt really well matched for Columbia in particular. I applied to Yale and wasn't accepted...and the truth is that I couldn't really see myself there anyway, they probably thought the same thing!

Also... IMO having billions of hours of related experience doesn't necessarily mean anything unless your essay reflects what you got out of it. In my personal opinion, I'd say that 10 hours of seriously meaningful experience can be more important than any amount of uninspired volunteering or work. I would look to get involved with something you are really passionate about, it doesn't have to be involving midwifery (for example I volunteered in a women's shelter) but something that will really give you something solid and meaningful to write about, or if you already have something going on along those lines, get involved with something you haven't yet. Also, like Doula Kerry said, letters are important and who writes them are even more important...a really great letter by someone who is reputable and reliable, and who really knows you personally is essential. And again, I second what the previous posters said, all great advice! Wishing you the best!

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In my personal opinion, I'd say that 10 hours of seriously meaningful experience can be more important than any amount of uninspired volunteering or work.

Just chiming in here, as an accepted student as well... that I totally agree with rg06c! The basis of my entrance essay was about my 2 months experience in Uganda serving at a clinic orphanage, and how much that changed my life and sharpened my career goals. Find out what sets your heart on fire; is it low-income women being robbed of the birth experience by virtue of their socioeconomic status? Is it providing care for the HIV positive population? When you find where you want to serve, go and do it... By finding your joy, it will come through your entrance essay and will be convincing! And if it turns out the admissions board at Columbia doesn't see it, well, by then, you'll be so convinced of your path in life that nothing will stop you. Good luck with your journey!

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Oh and P.S., sorry I am not accepted for CNM! I'm in the Adult track. Don't want to get everyone confused! Just wanted to add some extra encouragement into the mix.

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My best advice to you is that you need to set yourself apart from the thousands of other applicants. Think about it- most of the ppl that apply have similar qualifications in terms of grades and volunteer experience, what makes your application stand out? They read hundreds of admissions essays, most probably similar since we all graduated from college with a different major than nursing and now have decided to pursue it... The "I've wanted to do this my whole life" essay isn't going to fly. So what UNIQUE and compelling thing happened to you that makes you more dedicated and more worthy of a second look than the other applications.

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