Columbia ETP 2010

[eyeontheprize]

Hey Y'all!

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! :)

eyeontheprize

[columbiaetp04]

Dear Kdrose01:

What about Rutgers? You qualify for instate tuition since you live in Hoboken. They have an accelerated degree program as well (14 months). Nursing is just not a snobby profession. Having the name Columbia attached to your degree will not help you one bit! Struggling for a year or two now with a bad commute or a $159 a month toyota coralla payment is worth it (thats what I pay). Trust me, its better than having a student loan payment that is bigger than your mortgage payment until you are 47 years old (my personal financial situation).

I wish you luck in whatever you chose. But I urge you to take out a calculator and do the math. You can find finance calculators on Bankrate.com.

I wish I never heard of Columbia Nursing.

Good Luck

[kdrose01]

I did consider Rutgers. Honestly, I hate NJ and don't want to stay here any longer than necessary. They also have more requirements and I just want to get out of my current job and into my new career. I've done the math so many times and realized my loans won't be as substantial as yours. Like I said, I've been saving like crazy to go back to school, so I have enough to live off for one year, plus money to put towards tuition. Of course, if I decide not to go to Columbia or don't get in, I'll move back to Philly and go to one of the programs there that are comparable in price to Rutgers.

I realize nursing's not snobby, but I'd rather fork over more money in tuition than spend more time in NJ. Yes, I hate it that much. Also, I don't plan on living in NJ, so I'd rather go to school in a place I'd like to live afterwards, so I at least have connections through clinicals and through my classmates.

But thank you for pointing it out. I do appreciate your help!!

[columbiaetp04]

Hi Kdrose01

Well good luck. One thing I would warn you about though. You said you were thinking of taking time off between the RN and NP portion. While that makes sound sense financially ... most of my friends who did that still aren't NPs. I guess you get used to a paycheck, and with overtime you make more money as an RN than an NP. (I never heard of an NP getting OT!) Plus that first year you work on the floor as an RN could possibly kill you. NYC hospitals are ROUGH. It's just an observation ... I don't know what it means for you.

BTW, sounds like you want to move to the HEIGHTs. A good recommendation I can give you is to talk to the housing office at Columbia ... actually one department in Columbia that tries to help w/ everyday living issues for Columbia students. They usually can recommend local apartment houses to rent from. The best one was 134 Haven Avenue, I hope Alan Parker (he is a real guy not a corporation) still owns that place ... he was actually a decent Manhattan landlord.

See Ya:coollook:

[kdrose01]

Thanks, Columbia!

I didn't realize that RNs made more than NPs, but that's certainly something to keep in mind, especially given the time and money I'd have to invest to become an NP. How is it that NYC hospitals are so rough? I haven't heard that they're any different from anywhere else. My friend is a physician and actually likes working here more than in Philly, but I suppose that's just her experience.

Thank you very much for the housing info - I will keep that in mind if I get into Columbia!

[KHNurse2B]

Dear ColumbiaETP04 or anyone who knows,

Does anyone know if we are allowed to defer admission once accepted to this program? My financial situation has changed drastically since I applied to this program. =(

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks.

[freyalisa]

My understanding was you could defer for a year, but I'm not 100%!

[KHNurse2B]

I hope so! Thanks for the answer!

[xtine009]

So, we got the email that says we can check the status of our app online, and when I check it, it says they received my pre-reqs in progress, but it's not 'official.' They said they can't/won't answer ?s regarding received transcripts so I'm wondering if that's their way of indicating that they need me to send in my transcript from the past semester. Which I have, but the status hasn't changed? Is anyone else getting that?

[freyalisa]

If i remember correctly that's true. They will give you an email that says something about your acceptance/rejection being posted, that's when you can log in and get the information. Just a few more weeks. (Last year we found out like Feb 2nd)!

[xtine009]

oh wow... that's just right around the corner. Thanks for the info Freyalisa. So, should I be worrying about whether or not my transcript has been received, or should I have faith that my school has sent it to Columbia, & they just haven't updated it online... I'll check again by Friday, & if it's not updated (or no one else seems to have this problem), I will bug the school nicely.

[freyalisa]

I would assume that to be the case..... I can't remember specifically what mine said. I just remember getting that email, logging in and being a bit disappointed. Good luck :)

[KHNurse2B]

Hi Xtine009,

I think I read in another forum that the "unofficial" just means that if you are in the progress of taking pre-reqs, it's considered unofficial until they receive a grade for the class, or something to that effect.

Hope this helps!