Columbia University-ETP

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Hey everyone. I was just wondering who applied to Columbia University's ETP program.

I got an email today telling me to keep logging into the website where I applied to check on the status of my application. Has anyone else got this email? And does anyone know approximately when they begin to post decisions?

I'm nervous as this was my #2 school.

Hey guys! I thought I would post this lovely link again for those who are new to this board and haven't read through the whole thing: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48842923430&ref=ts Also ... my loan wasn't approved which totally STINKS! If one bank doesn't approve me does that pretty much screw me for all? Or should I apply for loans at other places?? .. Or like, a bunch of smaller loans?? Lame-a-roo! Also ... Sounds like a BUNCH of us want to do this "meet-up-for-coffee/drinks/something-after-visiting-day" thing ... I was thinking of making it easier by choosing a place and making a facebook invite so we'll all know what's up ahead of time without having to search for each other and figure it all out on visiting day (not sure how easy it will be to find all of us) ... So -- what's everyone thinking? Coffee, drinks, a meal? ... do we want to stay in the Columbia area, or choose a place in the thick of Manhattan? Let's plan this so we can all make it ... and meet each other ... and socialize. haha. I am so excited to meet all of you!!! ;)

Hey I think this is a great idea. I just joined the facebook group, are you going to do a blanket invite to all in the group? The visiting day gets over at 4 I believe, maybe something like hitting up a happy hour and/or dinner later would be best, though I cringe at the idea of trying to get a large group in anywhere on a friday night...

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Yahh! Let's plan it ... I'll do a blanket invite with the facebookers and post it on here ... then we can just spread the word on visiting day to the non-internet people. This place is close and looks like a good hangout place ... as long as it's cool with everyone let's just plan to head over there for food/drinks/whatever when the day is over :D http://www.coogans.com/ woot! woot! ;)

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A tip to those who chose WellsFargo but don't have cosigners and haven't already committed to something - the Collegiate Loan that the Columbia site links you to takes your income into account as well as your credit rating and debt history... so even if you have a clean, beautiful past and an 800 rating, if you're not racking in the dough right now, your interest rates will be higher. Since most of us seem to be getting the whole $100k covered by scholarship and loans, that probably means most of us fit into that category.

Anyway, as nursing students we should also qualify for MedCap loans, which do not take income into account. I was able to lower my interest rate by 3% just by switching loans. Worth a try! https://www.wellsfargo.com/student/undergrad/med_alter/

Another question for everyone, which I should also direct to Oscar - since technically this first year of loans is for our BSN, and we graduate from that in May, are we expected to start paying back 6 mos after May 2010? Or as full-time grad students will we be eligible to postpone some more? This is such a headache!

Hi anandam! did you apply for the MedCap loan...is that considered a "private student loan"?

does anyone know how to find out what the EXACT interest rate on a loan would be without actually submitting your application? i'm on step 3 of the citibank loan application, but i don't know where to look to find the interest rate...do they tell you once you submit your application and are you obligated to to take that loan once you submit your app?

sorry. i'm lost :-/

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Specializes in cardiac electrophysiology, critical care.

California girl-

you could call citibank and ask. I used citibank last year- I don't remember the details of when I found out the interest rate. I believe that the rate might have to do with your credit score, whether or not you have a co-signor and his/her credit score. Most private loan interest rates are variable, too....mine started out higher but is now pretty low (~4%, even lower than my federal loans)...the rate can change every 3 months and citibank sends you a letter in the mail to tell you about change.

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Oh yeah for those of you looking at housing options through Columbia... I think Bard is the only apartment open to 1st year nursing students... it's actually the only option for med students and there are usually only a handful of nursing students that place into it. I do know people who have gone to med school at Columbia so I have seen Bard and the Towers. Bard is similar to a traditional college dorm with smallish rooms and communal bathrooms and all. There isn't even a kitchen on each floor so you really have to share everything. I like the gym facilities although the weight room you have to pay for (but it's like $60 a year which isn't really a lot) and it's cool b/c you fingerprint yourself into that weight room instead of swiping yourself in w/ a card. There's also a pool so that's cool, too.

Bard has more of an old feel.. but the Towers are just probably newer buildings so they are nice. And... depending on the apartment, the view of the river is terrific! some apts do not face the river so I guess it just dpeneds on the room that you draw into.

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Hi,

How is everyone doing with their loan, application, etc? I sent in my student loan application for citibank and salliemae today. The salliemae offered me a significant higher interest rate than citibank (citi one is not low either:sniff:). Even though I putted in a co-signer, the interest rate only dropped 1% which is not that much i think. (I am not so happy with citibank's customer rep, they sounded mean and impatient)

I discovered Chase is also offering student loan, so I will give it a try, maybe some type of miracle can happen. But I doubt it.

Good luck with all those paper work, everyone! we are almost there.

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Hi all -

I applied for the private loan through USBank and was not approved for the full amount necessary. I have to submit my W2 and pay stubs to see if that will increase my approved amount. All the people I have that could be possible co-signors have HORRIBLE credit! So, I'm on my own in that boat.

Do any of you know if you can apply for multiple student loans with various banks in an attempt to get the balance (my balance in student loans is $66,000)?

If I can't secure funding, I have to give up my dream of attending Columbia. :crying2:

Very sad,

jenn

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i'm sorry to hear of your troubles, jenn! have you tried wells fargo as a lender for your private loan? i applied last week, and was approved yesterday.

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Hey Fionagurl - I haven't tried Wells Fargo. Thanks for the suggestion! I'm waiting to see if my W2 and paystubs will change my loan amount. If not, I'll definitely try Wells! THANK YOU! :)

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Good luck!!

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I was also approved by Wells Fargo without a co-signer and my experience with the reps was super positive - I called a couple of times to negotiate interest rates and discuss loan options and everyone was pleasant and helpful, happily passing me on to their supervisors when I asked, and the supervisors didn't seem at all bothered to take their time with me.

Maybe because they all went on that fancy retreat paid for by the stimulus package? ;)

And don't forget to tell them you're a nursing student! You qualify for better rates sometimes as a health professional...

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hey all, I was denied for private loans through sallie and Citi, actually sallie said i could get a co-signer, but I don't think anyone would be willing to do that for me....and they all have horrible credit. :( I will try wells, but it doesn't look too good right now. I'm a bit discouraged by this. I've been applying for scholarships like crazy but most of them don't amount to more than a few thousand and many of them want you to be a nursing student already. Has anyone else found any good programs? Pleasssssse help!

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