I'm getting ready to apply to the Columbia's ETP for 2010. I was just wondering who else was applying and what you were doing to make your application stronger! Also where else are you applying and what do your stats look like (GPA, GRE, experience, etc) ? I'm getting nervous as I start the whole application process and just thought I'd turn to the forums for some support and guidance!
I'm looking forward to sharing the journey with y'all! Hope to hear from you soon! :)
Thanks to all of the Columbia ETP students who have been responding! I know you are busy so really appreciate everyone who takes the time (and maybe remembers how this decision making part felt!). Anyhow, one thing I cannot quite figure out from the posts is how the tuition for the first year breaks down. I see on the website that it is $1118/unit, so ~ $68,000. Then I have heard that most people get ~ $18,000 for their first year. Which makes it ~ $50,000. + let's say $25K for living = $75K. But then I keep hearing $100K thrown around as an amount, so I am really curious how much the additional fees are. I am hoping more like $5k-$10K, but if they add up more to $25K that might make a big difference. I was really hoping to get the financial info to figure this out but it is taking a while and I just really want to try and determine how feasible this may be. (Also, did anyone ever not get the $18K and is that the correct scholarship amount for the first year?)
I am a California girl and kind of using UCSF as my benchmark (got declined this year), but UC's are expected to rise 30% next year, making even UCSF $40K for a public institution, so not sure how much cheaper I can go if I want an accelerated top tier program.
Any ETP 2010 prospects received their financial information yet? I am so excited for this program and feel like I can handle all the other questions about the program, but resolving real costs is the big ???? right now for me.
I am really just trying to figure out first year, it sounds like the masters portion has some various options and I will cross that bridge when I get there!
We're not including the scholarship when we say $100k. As far as I know, everyone got it, but the cost of attending still technically includes that amount (for us it was $32k total, $22k for the first year). I think you'd have to be seriously independently wealthy not to get it.
The standard package last year totaled $100,720:
School-related = Tuition $66352, Books $1800, Health fee $1200, Medical Insurance $3000, Fees $914
Life-related = Room/Board $22054, Transportation $1000, Personal $4400
For most students, $22118 was paid by the scholarship, $1000 by a loan from the school, $12500 by Stafford loans (that's the max), and the remaining $65102 by yourself or private loans.
So, yes, the total to be paid AFTER the scholarship was $78k, not $100k.
Thanks again Anandam for all your help and answering our questions!
I like how out of all the expenses the "health fee" and "medical insurance" makes me the most annoyed. Right now I pay $18 a month out of my paycheck for health insurance, and have tiny copays (upside of working for UCLA). And I'm guessing during the entire school year I'll use Columbia's student health once or twice. Sigh.
anandam, thanks so much! That was exactly what I was hoping for to at least start figuring out my options. Really appreciate you clearing that up. Now to just wait for my letter and hope it looks the same for my situation!
Thanks for all your answers so far! And thanks to my fellow acceptees for so many good questions.
Is there anything that you recommend me do between now and June 2nd to prepare for classes? Should we be reviewing all the A&P vocab and systems? focusing on microbiology viruses?
Also, if you are applying for RN jobs soon, how are you feeling about the job market?
Question, has anyone paid the $500 deposit and officially "accepted"? Do you get any information if/when you do that? Maybe in regards to housing?
The financial aid office advised me they are still moving to the new system and hope to have the financial assistance letters our before the acceptance deadline (March 29). I am waitng on the financial info and hoping to even apply for the loan before accepting, but wondering if by doing that I am getting behind on any information that you only find out once you accept? Just curious if there is anything that makes the risk of accepting before the financial information arrives worthwhile. I was also sort of waiting cause I have a few more schools I am waiting to hear from. Thanks.
Hi y'all. Hope you enjoyed the visiting day and found it informative.
I don't know if they mentioned it but if you are in the city over the weekend and have some extra time, please come to the C.U. medical campus production of The lady parts Monologues, this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 P.M.
Alumni Auditorium 650 West 168th Street. Tickets at door $10, Proceeds benefit Alianza Dominicana/Project Faith to end violence against females.
Show support for the ETP 2009 students! Thank you!
In response to all the questions about cost of Columbia ETP/NP program.
I graduated from ETP in '04, then finished the NP program. I now pay $1400 a month in student loans. This occured because there was a spike in interest rates that occured around '07 and while I was making payments my balance continued to increase. Now interest rates are lower. It is important to note however that most economists feel interest rates will be raised again once the economy recovers.
All ETP students who accept the financial aid package will have the majority of debt in an adjustable rate loan. These types of loans are the same ones that have caused so many people to lose their homes in foreclosure around the nation. A bump in interest rates from 4% to 8% doesn't sound like much but it can ruin you financially. I believe when all is said and done and I finally pay off my debt, I will have paid about $180,000 - $190,000 to settle my Columbia debt (including interest.) Approximately 1/3 of my take home pay is used to pay my Columbia debt.
I urge anyone who is considering Columbia for nursing to consider lower cost options. I know plenty of NPs who graduated from less expensive public universities who have jobs every bit as good as mine.
.
sfrntobe
26 Posts
Thanks to all of the Columbia ETP students who have been responding! I know you are busy so really appreciate everyone who takes the time (and maybe remembers how this decision making part felt!). Anyhow, one thing I cannot quite figure out from the posts is how the tuition for the first year breaks down. I see on the website that it is $1118/unit, so ~ $68,000. Then I have heard that most people get ~ $18,000 for their first year. Which makes it ~ $50,000. + let's say $25K for living = $75K. But then I keep hearing $100K thrown around as an amount, so I am really curious how much the additional fees are. I am hoping more like $5k-$10K, but if they add up more to $25K that might make a big difference. I was really hoping to get the financial info to figure this out but it is taking a while and I just really want to try and determine how feasible this may be. (Also, did anyone ever not get the $18K and is that the correct scholarship amount for the first year?)
I am a California girl and kind of using UCSF as my benchmark (got declined this year), but UC's are expected to rise 30% next year, making even UCSF $40K for a public institution, so not sure how much cheaper I can go if I want an accelerated top tier program.
Any ETP 2010 prospects received their financial information yet? I am so excited for this program and feel like I can handle all the other questions about the program, but resolving real costs is the big ???? right now for me.
I am really just trying to figure out first year, it sounds like the masters portion has some various options and I will cross that bridge when I get there!
Thanks again!!