Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

kvt1013 · Feb 24, 2020

I attended visiting day on Friday, and I have some thoughts that perhaps some people here might empathize with.

A little background on me - I currently live in LA, 28 years old, and have a significant other. Columbia was the only program I applied to outside of SoCal, and I mainly did so because of the prestige and ability to experience NYC. As of now, it's the only program I've gotten into (waitlisted at one school and I am hopefully going to get off, two upcoming interviews and one pending decision). However, I made the choice that I needed to really love Columbia's program if I was seriously going to upend my life and move across the country, especially since my partner wouldn't be able to come and I would have to do long distance for a while. It also helped that they gave me a fair amount of scholarship $$, and an invitation for their inaugural honors program.

I have to say, I was seriously underwhelmed by the events of the day. It seemed like the presenters were focused on trying to recruit us for the dual degrees, and didn't really talk much about what makes their program so different and special. They put a lot of weight on the value of an ivy-nursing education, and that seemed like their main selling point. But other than that, nothing really stood out that got me excited about going to Columbia specifically.

I appreciated the tour of the building, and talking to the students. But I honestly didn't love it. That being said, if it ends up being the only school I get into (since California admissions is really competitive), I would take it.

Did anybody else feel like this?

amandaruizu · Feb 24, 2020

2 minutes ago, kvt1013 said:
I attended visiting day on Friday, and I have some thoughts that perhaps some people here might empathize with.
A little background on me - I currently live in LA, 28 years old, and have a significant other. Columbia was the only program I applied to outside of SoCal, and I mainly did so because of the prestige and ability to experience NYC. As of now, it's the only program I've gotten into (waitlisted at one school and I am hopefully going to get off, two upcoming interviews and one pending decision). However, I made the choice that I needed to really love Columbia's program if I was seriously going to upend my life and move across the country. It also helped they gave me a fair amount of Scholarship $$.
I have to say, I was seriously underwhelmed by the events of the day. It seemed like the presenters were focused on trying to recruit us for the dual degrees, and didn't really talk much about what makes their program so different and special. They put a lot of weight on the value of an ivy-nursing education, and that seemed like their main selling point. But other than that, nothing really stood out that got me excited about going to Columbia specifically.
I appreciated the tour of the building, and talking to the students. But I honestly didn't love it. That being said, if it ends up being the only school I get into (since California admissions is really competitive), I would take it.
Did anybody else feel like this?

Hey. I attended visiting day, but I actually felt pretty sold by the presenters. I know it’s their job, but I also live in New York so I wouldn’t be uprooting much. Since you’re sacrificing a lot, I could definitely understand why you may have felt underwhelmed — for someone coming all the way from LA, and having to relocate etc I’d want visiting day to completely woo me. I’m sorry you felt this way. I also felt like they didn’t speak that much about the dual degree in terms of the DNP? To be fair, by the end I started nodding off, it was really long. For me, I loved the environment and energy, I was especially fascinated by their integration semester (going global) — the simulations and labs were top tier (compared to other nyc schools I don’t know much about California schools), generous scholarship (compared to nyc schools again) — and I’d be knocking everything out all at once (MDE, DNP). I hope this helps and I hope you’re able to make a decision you truly love!

kvt1013 · Feb 24, 2020

6 minutes ago, amandaruizu said:
Hey. I attended visiting day, but I actually felt pretty sold by the presenters. I know it’s their job, but I also live in New York so I wouldn’t be uprooting much. Since you’re sacrificing a lot, I could definitely understand why you may have felt underwhelmed — for someone coming all the way from LA, and having to relocate etc I’d want visiting day to completely woo me. I’m sorry you felt this way. I also felt like they didn’t speak that much about the dual degree in terms of the DNP? To be fair, by the end I started nodding off, it was really long. For me, I loved the environment and energy, I was especially fascinated by their integration semester (going global) — the simulations and labs were top tier (compared to other nyc schools I don’t know much about California schools), generous Scholarship (compared to nyc schools again) — and I’d be knocking everything out all at once (MDE, DNP). I hope this helps and I hope you’re able to make a decision you truly love!

I did like the integration opportunity, but it also didn't seem like it was guaranteed every student would get their location of choice. Especially since a lot of people seem to want to do it.

Thank you for recognizing that it's a big deal to relocate. That's honestly my biggest hangup. I really wanted to love it and feel like it was a Cinderella moment. I've dreamed of going to Columbia in some form for many years (such as for their MPH). Maybe my imagination was my downfall.

I did enjoy meeting the students I talked to. It seems like it would be easy to become close to fellow students, which would definitely make it easier to ease the burden of relocation.

amandaruizu · Feb 24, 2020

1 minute ago, kvt1013 said:
I did like the integration opportunity, but it also didn't seem like it was guaranteed every student would get their location of choice. Especially since a lot of people seem to want to do it.
Thank you for recognizing that it's a big deal to relocate. That's honestly my biggest hangup. I really wanted to love it and feel like it was a Cinderella moment. I've dreamed of going to Columbia in some form for many years (such as for their MPH). Maybe my imagination was my downfall.
I did enjoy meeting the students I talked to. It seems like it would be easy to become close to fellow students, which would definitely make it easier to ease the burden of relocation.

Two of the student ambassadors I spoke to said everyone who applied got in for the global opportunity — some for their first option, but if not they’re second or third. I know some students put their deposit down anyways just to save their seat? Not sure if you’d wanna do that? A girl I know put down her deposit for pace but then went to NYU ? they accepted her late but she wanted to secure a seat somewhere at least.

kvt1013 · Feb 24, 2020

Just now, amandaruizu said:
Two of the student ambassadors I spoke to said everyone who applied got in for the global opportunity — some for their first option, but if not they’re second or third. I know some students put their deposit down anyways just to save their seat? Not sure if you’d wanna do that? A girl I know put down her deposit for pace but then went to NYU ? they accepted her late but she wanted to secure a seat somewhere at least.

That's probably what I'm going to do if I don't get some good news this week lol

J_future_PNP-PC · Feb 24, 2020

18 minutes ago, kvt1013 said:
I attended visiting day on Friday, and I have some thoughts that perhaps some people here might empathize with.
A little background on me - I currently live in LA, 28 years old, and have a significant other. Columbia was the only program I applied to outside of SoCal, and I mainly did so because of the prestige and ability to experience NYC. As of now, it's the only program I've gotten into (waitlisted at one school and I am hopefully going to get off, two upcoming interviews and one pending decision). However, I made the choice that I needed to really love Columbia's program if I was seriously going to upend my life and move across the country, especially since my partner wouldn't be able to come and I would have to do long distance for a while. It also helped that they gave me a fair amount of Scholarship $$, and an invitation for their inaugural honors program.
I have to say, I was seriously underwhelmed by the events of the day. It seemed like the presenters were focused on trying to recruit us for the dual degrees, and didn't really talk much about what makes their program so different and special. They put a lot of weight on the value of an ivy-nursing education, and that seemed like their main selling point. But other than that, nothing really stood out that got me excited about going to Columbia specifically.
I appreciated the tour of the building, and talking to the students. But I honestly didn't love it. That being said, if it ends up being the only school I get into (since California admissions is really competitive), I would take it.
Did anybody else feel like this?

Hey there! Also attended visiting day from California. I too have a partner that will not be coming right away and have not gotten into any California schools thus far. It’s definitely going to be a big move and a new chapter in our lives, but I overall got a great feeling from Columbia. Most of it was due to the student ambassadors, who told me their honest opinions and got me super excited about the program. I also got the sense that we were being “recruited” during the presentations, and feel that the acceptance rate is pretty high for MDE, which does worry me a bit (most of this is probably just my insecurities talking lol.) The tuition is high, but it’s important that we factor in how accelerated this program is, and how much that will save us in the long run. Plus, I truly think the connections we will make from being a Columbia nurse will take us places! I’ve decided to accept my offer after weighing the pros and cons from other programs I’ve gotten into, and am relieved to have finally made my decision. Wherever you end up going, just know you will be a great nurse and all programs have their strengths and weaknesses!

Krys · Feb 24, 2020

14 hours ago, kvt1013 said:
I attended visiting day on Friday, and I have some thoughts that perhaps some people here might empathize with.
A little background on me - I currently live in LA, 28 years old, and have a significant other. Columbia was the only program I applied to outside of SoCal, and I mainly did so because of the prestige and ability to experience NYC. As of now, it's the only program I've gotten into (waitlisted at one school and I am hopefully going to get off, two upcoming interviews and one pending decision). However, I made the choice that I needed to really love Columbia's program if I was seriously going to upend my life and move across the country, especially since my partner wouldn't be able to come and I would have to do long distance for a while. It also helped that they gave me a fair amount of Scholarship $$, and an invitation for their inaugural honors program.
I have to say, I was seriously underwhelmed by the events of the day. It seemed like the presenters were focused on trying to recruit us for the dual degrees, and didn't really talk much about what makes their program so different and special. They put a lot of weight on the value of an ivy-nursing education, and that seemed like their main selling point. But other than that, nothing really stood out that got me excited about going to Columbia specifically.
I appreciated the tour of the building, and talking to the students. But I honestly didn't love it. That being said, if it ends up being the only school I get into (since California admissions is really competitive), I would take it.
Did anybody else feel like this?

I felt the same way. Im from Chicago so I decided i would have to be blown away by the school to move and spend a lot more money on Columbia when i have good options here. I also felt like the presenters didn't talk much about what makes them different other than it's an ivy league, and considering we take the same NCLEX as every other nursing student in the country, that's really not a selling point for me. I was also lucky and met a student ambassador from close to the same hometown as me and she asked me what other programs I was considering and even she advised me to choose a school in Chicago because she has massive amounts of debt from Columbia... and I think students ate more likely to give honest opinions of the school than the Dean's since its kinda their job to convince us to go.

momo90, MSN · Feb 24, 2020

I also attended the event on Friday. I have to say, I went in ready to accept an offer at another school and turn down Columbia, but I was really impressed with their sim lab, professors, and most importantly their current students. Certainly there is some self-selection as the students all volunteered to spend the entire afternoon with us, but everyone I spoke to was honest about their experience, including the shortcomings as they see them, and yet still was incredibly happy with their choice. I already live in NYC so while the tuition is a huge (and super scary) commitment, I am not relocating which does make it easier. In addition, my goal is to become an NP as quickly as possible, and Columbia is definitely the best option for that, as well as being able to work per diem as an RN during the DNP portion, which is huge as living in NYC is expensive!

Ultimately, I was choosing between two similarly priced schools, Columbia and another in which I would have had to relocate and where earning the DNP would have been a longer and more complicated process.

I think if I was going for the MSN only and had an in-state/lower tuition option, that would be hard to say to no to. It's such a personal decision that involves so many factors, but as another poster said above, we will all end up as nurses soon and it always works out!

oneday_nursepoundcake · Feb 24, 2020

As a NYC local, Visiting Day solidified my decision to go with Columbia -- despite feeling nervous about the cost. Public education for nursing (at BSN level and above) isn't very realistic here unfortunately, so in terms of looking at private schools, Columbia's MDE program blows everyone else out of the water in terms of what your money buys.

If you have great options locally, I'd definitely be inclined to go that route instead -- and move here later to explore your nursing career through work if you want (while getting a chance to enjoy the city/live in an area you like, etc). I personally can't imagine moving to NYC on top of starting a new, very intense and expensive school program. The adjustment to the city alone is kind of education in itself with tons of trial/error and I'm grateful I came here without much going on (after graduating college the first time and being in my early 20s).

But if money is no object -- as is the case for a lot of people at schools like Columbia (not me!), there's nothing wrong with going for it. NYC offers infinite ways to cushion challenges by spending money to make things easier -- e.g. food delivery every night, laundry service to your door, etc. Best of luck to you all ?

On 2/6/2020 at 3:42 PM, BStoRN said:
Hi Everyone,
I'm seriously considering the MDE program, but I'm unclear on what it means that Columbia confers a Masters of Science in Nursing, but not an MSN. Does anyone know what that means and why it matters? If I pass the NCLEX at the end of the program, will hospitals care that I have an MS and not a BSN (which I could get from a different program)? Any help appreciated.

largar · Feb 24, 2020

I am a NYC local who attended the visiting day as well. Let me tell you. If I had options that were cheaper than Columbia, I would go for them. However, similar to some of the other posters, my prereqs would be considered expired by all the other local public schools, and moving is not an option for me.

That said, I was overall pleased with what that program presented to us as the value of a Columbia nursing education. Getting 100% of your clinical hours in a real setting as opposed to lab is a great selling point. The clinical hours that we get in the state of the art simulation lab are just icing on the cake. The fact that all professors currently practice is another perk that can be pretty hard for academic institutions to compete with. I am not crazy about the large cohort size and the number of large lecture format classes that they have, but I feel better that at least the clinical ratio is low and that for the 5x5s you won’t be in a 200 person lecture hall.

Columbia is expensive, and if/when we enroll in this institution we need to be proactive about taking up EVERYTHING they have to offer. Go to all the office hours, open lab sessions, career workshops, interdisciplinary lectures, student life events, alumni mixers- we are going to be paying for it so you really just need to capitalize on it, because the extras and the attention to us as individuals is what will set a private (and costly) institution like Columbia apart from other options.

oneday_nursepoundcake · Feb 24, 2020

24 minutes ago, largar said:
This is very well-said. I agree 100%!
Columbia is expensive, and if/when we enroll in this institution we need to be proactive about taking up EVERYTHING they have to offer. Go to all the office hours, open lab sessions, career workshops, interdisciplinary lectures, student life events, alumni mixers- we are going to be paying for it so you really just need to capitalize on it, because the extras and the attention to us as individuals is what will set a private (and costly) institution like Columbia apart from other options.

guest1126576 · Feb 24, 2020

anyone here live in long island and plan on traveling everyday to school? i’m still undecided about whether I should travel everyday or if I should get a room near the school.