Columbia ETP 2016

minttea90 · Jul 21, 2015

Hello I am new to the post, I have been lurking for a while. If you all don't mind please share your stats. Mines are less than stellar, GPA 3.01 and have not taken my GRE as of yet. What do you all think my chances are we A GPA that low?

I think you have a pretty good chance. I was lurking on last year's ETP forum, and it seems they accepted people with GPAs that were on the lower and higher end of the spectrum. They really do place a lot of value on the recommendation letters and personal statement. I'm actually still finishing up my degree (will be done in May), so I don't have my final GPA yet, and I've yet to take the GRE.

minttea90 · Jul 21, 2015

I will be attending the info session in August. It will be nice to gather some more information about the program before applying! I preferred the condensed (2.5 years) ETP program format they had last year, but I will still be applying for the MDE.

Has anyone written their personal statement yet? And for those who have been out of school for a while, where will you be going for recommendation letters?

Also, is anyone applying to the program with a background in healthcare? All I have is some hospital volunteering.

Rrschanger · Jul 22, 2015

I was thinking of doing this MDE program. Although you graduate with an MSN, you can't specialize in anything which sucks. And it's going to run approximately $95,000 in tuition alone (excluding books, fees, and living costs, and 15 months out of work. They did say they have need based scholarships up to 25,000 and you should probably work per diem at most even though they don't recommend working at all. They said about 70% of students get the full 25,000 while the rest get up to that amount. It seems to me though that it really depends on what you want to do. I think if cost is a factor and you want to practice, this may not be for you since the MSN focuses on care coordination. I'm thinking of doing Pace's ABSN (which should be around $56,000 and is 12 months) then going for an MSN-NP after some bedside experience or getting that on the way to a DNP (haven't decided yet). I'm finishing up my MBA and also starting on my prereqs this Fall (at BMCC, taking anatomy on the weekend!) while working full time (I got so disillusioned with business during my MBA. I'm thinking I should maybe try healthcare administration but I'm not sure about it. I feel like that's just forcing myself into something healthcare related but its not what I want to do. I'd like the patient interaction part better than sitting in a cubicle all day!). It's going to be tough I still have to weigh the costs and benefits of this MDE. I signed up for an info session also but I believe its in September. Goodluck to all of you!

FutureNP04 · Jul 24, 2015

I just completed my Master's degree recently in Information Systems. According to their website, if you have a Master's degree by the time you apply, you do not have to take the GRE, which is great I guess. I'm starting the pre-requisites this Fall, and I only need 4 classes. I will be taking them all online. I have a 3.5 in my undergraduate studies and a 3.6 in my Graduate studies. I do not have any health care experience, so I will try to get some volunteer work under my belt before I complete the application. That is the area I see that I am lacking right now, but hopefully it turns out good. For some reason, in NYC it is hard to get volunteer experience due to the overwhelming demand of students trying to get volunteer experience for their health care careers. Anyways, these are my stats. Once the application opens up, I will start writing my essay, and as for recommendation letters they will all be from past employers.

SBCvixen · Jul 28, 2015

@minttea90 which info session in August are you going to? I'll be there for the one on the 14th, if you're at the same one maybe I will meet you there!

I am finishing up my last pre-req and taking the GRE in about two weeks. I think the value placed on healthcare experience really depends on the program. From what I gather of Columbia's program they want some experience, but also appreciate applicants with different programs (though that's just the impression I get from the website).

For recommendations- I've been out of school for almost five years, so I have asked one of my bosses, one of my professors from graduate school (who I've kept in touch with since), and the third TBD.

Also, I can totally relate to the struggle of finding a place to volunteer. I live in DC and it took me almost 2 years of applying to programs to finally start volunteering at a local hospital. I actually found a program within a program at the hospital and called them directly to make sure they would interview me- so that may be one way to go. Sometimes outside organizations sponsor certain areas or initiatives in hospitals that require a different set of volunteers than the traditional hospital volunteer programs, if you can find one that may be one way to get in.

315murse · Jul 28, 2015

whats up guys

I'm new to this form but I just wanted to say hi.

I went to the Columbia info session 2 weeks ago and it was very interesting. I felt like there was a lot of people interested in CRNA. As for me, I am interested in the FNP track. The only thing that makes me nervous is the cost of this program. When the finical aid people talk at the session you could tell everyone felt crazy nervous about the cost of the program... but on the other hand, knowing I will have a doctorate degree by the time i'm 27/ 28 kind of outweighs the cost to me.

To you guys going to the sessions in the next coming months could you ask them to explain the residency portion more and maybe get back to me? they rushed though that part at my info session bc we were running out of time.

All in all I'm definitely applying to this program and i'm excited for what the next couple months has in store for all of us!

jazzlo94 · Jul 29, 2015

whats up guys
I'm new to this form but I just wanted to say hi.
I went to the Columbia info session 2 weeks ago and it was very interesting. I felt like there was a lot of people interested in CRNA. As for me, I am interested in the FNP track. The only thing that makes me nervous is the cost of this program. When the finical aid people talk at the session you could tell everyone felt crazy nervous about the cost of the program... but on the other hand, knowing I will have a doctorate degree by the time i'm 27/ 28 kind of outweighs the cost to me.
To you guys going to the sessions in the next coming months could you ask them to explain the residency portion more and maybe get back to me? they rushed though that part at my info session bc we were running out of time.
All in all I'm definitely applying to this program and i'm excited for what the next couple months has in store for all of us!

Hey 315murse,

I'm attending the August 14th info session and I can definitely ask about the residency portion for you, did you have a particular question in mind?

minttea90 · Jul 30, 2015

Hey @ SBCvixen, I'll be attending the one on the 25th; the info session on the 14th was already closed out when I tried to register.

315murse · Jul 30, 2015

I guess to explain it a little more in general. I think because this program is so new they are kind of working it all out.

shelbs609 · Jul 31, 2015

Hey everyone!!!

So i am applying for the ETP, now MDE? program this fall. I am attending the information session on the 25 of August. taking the GRE August 28. and HELLA nervous about everything. I am glad i found fellow, hopefuly, future people that are applying for Columbia. Right now I am preparing to take the GRE. i feel like i am not the best test taker. I have a study guide a friend let me barrow and ive been watching youtube videos on the writing section. If any of you have any advice for me before for studying and taking the GRE, i would greatly appreciate it!

So glad i found you guys! lol

-Shelbs

Fran_3 · Aug 3, 2015

Hey guys!

I'm also super nervous. I will be attending the info session on the 14th and just started the application a bit. I just finished my pre-reqs and will be taking the GRE in three weeks!

Hopetobeafnp · Aug 3, 2015

The application is up! I am so nervous.