Columbia University ETP 2011

Published

Thought it'd be a good idea to start a thread for prospective applicants to Columbia's ETP program starting Summer 2011. I was going to apply last year but passed on it in favor of working for another year.

Applications are due November 15, 2010! :eek: Right around the corner ...

Anyone else preparing for this also? :clown:

Hey Cartwheel,

I really liked Hopkins too but I havent heard back yet. (Have you??)

So here are my thoughts on Columbia vs. Hopkins:

1) Hopkins ranks really well overall (its like 4th in the country, compared to Columbia which ranks 20th)- but I think this is because they have a strong BSN program, and they have a strong community health program.

2) It does not, however, rank that well for FNP which what I applied for, and ultimately, is what I am the most interested in -- while Columbia ranks #7 for FNP.

3) Hopkins is maaad expensive -- look at the price per credit at Hopkins vs. Columbia -- there is at least a $200 difference.

Those are my thoughts for now... best of luck in your decision!

Hey yogaseli,

I deciding between Hopkins and Columbia right now and am wondering where you found the rankings that you posted? I am having a terribly difficult time comparing the 2... any piece of information helps.

Are you deciding between the two?

Anyone else have any advice??

Thanks,

GCNP

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey everyone! I've been following these posts for awhile, and have finally decided to join. I've been accepted to the FNP specialty and I'll be flying in from San Francisco for Visiting Day. I'm still waiting for decisions from other schools, but I'm excited to meet everyone and learn more about the program!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi all! Like a few of you, I'm deciding between Hopkins and Columbia as well. I went to the open house at Hopkins in October and I'm from Baltimore, so I'll be attending the Columbia visiting day on 3/4.

A few things I know about tuition costs, etc. These might be stats from last year but for the BSN at Columbia, it's 1,152/point. That is $69,120 (60 credits) for the first twelve months.

At Hopkins, the tuition for the first 13 months (ABSN) is $62,223.

For the Master's portions, Columbia is 63,024 for fifteen months ($1212 for 52 credits). I'm planning on the Women's Health NP program. Hopkins is 48,479 per academic year, but a full time program (Women's health again) is two academic years and two summers (over 100k total). So Columbia is shorter for the MSN and cheaper.

These figures don't include fees and other random costs which, of course, add up! But looking at straight tuition, Hopkins seems to be the value for the ABSN, and Columbia is the value for the Master's portion. But when thinking about tuition for the BSN, we're talking a 7,000 difference-- not such a huge difference in the long term.

The cost of living in NYC is markedly higher than Baltimore also. I dissected Hopkins cost-of-living estimates and discovered that one can live in Baltimore for a bit less than they say. They estimate your rent to be 1018.77/month, but I know that, especially if you're sharing a two bedroom, you can live for around 700/month (or less) comfortably in areas such as Mount Vernon, Charles Village, etc.

So I'm waiting on financial aid offers. Can anyone offer any other insights into the differences between Hopkins and Columbia?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hey yogaseli,

I deciding between Hopkins and Columbia right now and am wondering where you found the rankings that you posted? I am having a terribly difficult time comparing the 2... any piece of information helps.

Are you deciding between the two?

Anyone else have any advice??

Thanks,

GCNP

Hi GCNP!

I am deciding between the two -- and it is hard! The rankings are from US News. Here are what I am assuming are the rankings for the undergraduate portion:

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/nursing-rankings

And you can also find the rankings on that site for your specialty. Honestly though, I have no idea what these rankings are based on (and both Columbia and Hopkins in my opinion are really wonderful!) -- which open house are you going to?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a recent ETP grad and still have some textbooks for anyone who is interested. PM me for the info. I'm moving and need to unload so we can negotiate a REALLY good price :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everyone, been following this thread for a while but only just signed up. I was accepted to Columbia but I'm still in my deciding phase since the cost is crazy and scary. :p I see I'm not the only one alarmed by this though!

Does anyone know the expected cost of living in NY (per year)? And any suggestions on where to look for housing? I've heard that they have hardly any oncampus housing, so I'm not counting on that. Still waiting on 2 more schools so not sure yet if the big move to NYC is going to happen for me, but I'm trying to be prepared since due dates are coming up fast!

Is there anyone else who's kind of scared of moving to such a busy city? :p

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just found this on last year's thread and it is really, really, really scary. Here goes:

Actually, this year's financial breakdown is:

Tuition (including 3% tuition hike in fall 2010): $68,480

Tuition plus fees, supplies, etc.: $74,038

Columbia's estimated cost of living: ~$30k (reasonable if you live like a student)

Financial aid:

SON scholarship $22k*

Stafford loans subsidized and unsubsidized: $$7,500 if you're a dependent student, $12,500 if you're independent

Perkins and Nursing Student Loans through Columbia: $5,500

Remaining need: $34,038 plus living expenses.

*plus another $11.6k if you stay on full-time for the Master's

Up Vote Up Vote ×
@Nikkii164: I am very sorry to hear you did not get in. In my opinion you seem extremely qualified. I think that admissions decisions do not always make sense. I was wondering if you are planing on attending Emory or are you waiting to hear from other schools? I was also accepted into the Emory ABSN/MSN program for acute care pediatrics. I really like there program. My decision has come down to deciding between Emory and Columbia. Do you have any insights into Emory's program or what are your opinions of it? Any information or insight you have would be very helpful.

NurseGradHopeful,

This is my first time on this board, and I found it researching the exact dilemma you are having, except that I'm in FNP. Are you planning to attend both visitor days? Have/do you live in either location now?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hey everyone! I've been following these posts for awhile, and have finally decided to join. I've been accepted to the FNP specialty and I'll be flying in from San Francisco for Visiting Day. I'm still waiting for decisions from other schools, but I'm excited to meet everyone and learn more about the program!

Hi VB08!! Welcome to allnurses.com! I was accepted to the FNP specialty as well. I am also flying from california (sacramento) for visiting day! :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

p_blankeney,

I am glad to hear from some else in my position. I feel very conflicted. I am attending both visiting days. Are you attending either or both visiting days? It is my hope that I will get some information or a gut feeling about which school I belong at. I have not and do not live in either location. However, I am from MA and all three of my college roommates live in NY so I have spent a lot of time there versus the no time I have spent in Atlanta. But living somewhere is a very different experience. Are you leaning towards either school? Any information or opinions you have about either would be very helpful to me if you would not mind sharing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

jagy that is really scary!! :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can't make it to admitted students day on March 4th. Instead I'll be visiting this Friday, the 25th. Was wondering if there are any current students who are available to meet up and discuss their experience in the program on Friday afternoon. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion