Columbia ETP 2015

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Has anyone started a thread yet? The application is due in 174 days and as you can see I'm already obsessing.

Anyone else?!

To the Psych NP admitted, and anyone else -

How will you decide which program you will attend? I think my top choice is UCSF, but I haven't heard back yet. Columbia or Vandy would be my 2nd choice. I was admitted to Columbia, waitlisted at Vandy. To those admitted to both, how will you decide? I've been crunching tuition numbers and weighing options. I like that Columbia you graduate in 2.5 years, whereas UCSF is a full three year program. However, I'm from the bay area so it would be great to do my clinical sites locally. Another thing to consider is that Columbia offers a BSN whereas Vanderbilt and UCSF don't as far as I know. I think visiting day will definitely help me make a final decision, if it comes down to choosing between UCSF or Columbia. What are your guys' thoughts?

Hey Lexi,

UCSF is my first choice, followed by Columbia or UPenn both of which I've been accepted to. I'm also from the bay area and am struggling with the BSN vs no BSN thing. If I went to Columbia i'd take time off between the BSN and MSN to work (I'm admitted for acute care), so the length of program isn't as much an issue for me. Honestly, it would take an amazing finaid package to get me away from the bay area if I do get into UCSF. If I don't, I'll probably go to whichever school ends up being a little cheaper as they're both amazing programs.

Congrats to everyone who got in, what an exciting time!!

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I'm also looking at that choice. For me, the financials are my deciding factor. NYU has gnarly student debt stories, but I've never heard of any nursing student that has regrets. On the other hand, Columbia's estimated costs I believe are higher. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

Also if I've done my research correctly NYU allows to apply to the Masters portion after your first year in the accelerated program and gives you a year of to work before entering the program. (Again please tell me if i am wrong.) Good luck!

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In for pediatrics! Congrats everyone, really looking forward to meeting you all!

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In for Psych! I'm thrilled!

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I'm new to the boards (lurking mainly for the past few weeks) but I'm in for FNP!

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I had the same issue and just got off the phone with admissions. You can choose any other specialty (Peds, FNP, Adult Geront/Acute, Adult Geront/Primary, Psych) that has space, just not the one from which you were denied. Also, you can wait until the BSN portion of the program is over and reapply to the specialty to which you want admission. Finally, it is possible that space in your specialty could open up if not all who were admitted decide to matriculate--however, if this were to happen, it would most likely be by the time classes start.

Thank you, this was so helpful! So basically, those are the 3 options we have if we're accepted into the program but not specialty? Also, what does it mean by a specialty "that has space"? (that's a little worrisome, because I'm sure there has to be a definite cap). And do we have to choose by a certain time? So confusing! I know there are a lot of hopefuls that are praying for people to matriculate somewhere else, so is there a waiting list in that situation? I'll definitely be giving them a call tomorrow (sorry I didn't mean to throw all these questions to you LOL) so hopefully they'll have some answers!

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Hey guys! Congrats to those that were accepted! I was wondering if anyone who was accepted would be kind enough to post GPA/GRE scores and experiences that helped your application. You can also message me; I'm applying 2016 so it would be helpful to have some basic info. Thanks!

I understand completely! This stuff was really helpful for me to see when I was looking, so I will happily post it.

Graduating GPA: 3.5 (from a so-so state school)

I transferred from another school, so my OVERALL undergrad GPA: 3.2

Pre-Req GPA: 3.7

GRE Verbal: 160

GRE Quant: 157

GRE AW: 5.0

Letters of Rec: 1 was from a nurse director of a psychiatric inpatient unit with an MSN, who I worked with for 1 year. The second was a PhD in community psych who was my adviser in undergrad, and I've known her for about 3 or 4 years. The third came from my current boss, a big name MD in cardiology and Harvard professor. I think that helped a lot.

Personal Statement: I have direct, personal experience with chronic psychiatric disorders (1 yr) as well as professional and research experience (2-3 yrs). I failed two classes in undergrad and I addressed this without being too pathetic about it. Some of my coworkers helped me edit.

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3.89 GPA state school

43rd percentile quant, 87th verbal, 93rd writing

non-traditional "older" student

lots of volunteer work

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Congrats to everybody! I got in for FNP. Has anybody asked for more information about visiting day? I'd love to know a bit more about the schedule, as well as if they'll be putting us up in dorms (doubtful - I know) or possibly arranging group rates for hotel rooms. I plan on calling tomorrow if nobody has any info. Thanks!

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To the Psych NP admitted, and anyone else -

How will you decide which program you will attend? I think my top choice is UCSF, but I haven't heard back yet. Columbia or Vandy would be my 2nd choice. I was admitted to Columbia, waitlisted at Vandy. To those admitted to both, how will you decide? I've been crunching tuition numbers and weighing options. I like that Columbia you graduate in 2.5 years, whereas UCSF is a full three year program. However, I'm from the bay area so it would be great to do my clinical sites locally. Another thing to consider is that Columbia offers a BSN whereas Vanderbilt and UCSF don't as far as I know. I think visiting day will definitely help me make a final decision, if it comes down to choosing between UCSF or Columbia. What are your guys' thoughts?

Yale is my top choice. After them, I'm kind of ambivalent about all the other schools. So far, I've only heard from Vandy. Their deadline for a decision is in a few days and at this moment I'm leaning a bit more towards Columbia. I prefer Columbia to Vanderbilt, even without seeing the financial aid package. I haven't heard from any other school yet. Vandy somehow jams everything into 2 years (I expect year 1 to be brutal, but specialty years to allow me to focus on the intricacies of specialty coursework and get involved in my clinic!), which, paired with clinical placements being up to 2.5 hours away, makes me doubt the quality of the clinical hours or attention to coursework. I look forward to getting the packet from Columbia so I can review all of their info.

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Snoozy,

i feel the same way. The only thing that is making me consider Vandy is that my family would be happier in TN. But Yale is 100% my first choice.

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Undergrad GPA: 3.4

Grad GPA: 3.9

Prereq GPA: 3.6

MSW in clinical mental health

experience in a variety of psych settings: supportive therapy, CBT, day program (in Israel), inpatient psych, psychosocial rehab/clubhouse

4 years as hospice volunteer

exempt from GRE

1 outstanding reference from a former professor, others I assume were fine (from volunteer supervisors)

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