Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

Nursing Students School Programs

Updated:   Published

Hello Everyone, The applications for June 2020 at Columbia University has now opened. I haven't seen any new threads for this year so I wanted to start one. I am in the process of applying and half way done! References already sent their recommendations!! and an upside to this year is that Columbia University is no longer requiring the GRE. SO I am pretty happy about that!!

Good Luck!

Specializes in RN.

You sound like a kind person, @Aw1992. I wish you all the best. The more life experience I've had, the more I truly do appreciate how much many people overcome to complete their degrees. I'd like to think this is something Columbia would take into consideration as well.

Regarding 2nd-career folks, I recall from the open house that they were very proud of their opera singer! Wish my current career was *that* cool (then again, maybe I wouldn't be so antsy to leave it). http://www.nursing.columbia.edu/second-acts-discovering-nursing-second-career

Good luck to everyone, especially in getting through this waiting period. Initially when I applied I was kinda "meh" and cynical about the idea of the program but now I'm pretty dang sold on it, for better or worse ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
12 hours ago, BSSB said:

Did anyone fill out the FAFSA yet? All the other schools I’m interested in are ABSN programs, so I selected 2nd bachelor degree and 5th year undergraduate. Is it possible to fill out a separate FAFSA and select graduate? What is everyone else doing? Thanks!

I don't remember choosing whether or not its a graduate degree. maybe I did. but I think they determine it by the school code. they were suppose to email the code that you should use for their school when filling out the fafsa app. if they didn't, you can just easily google it and it will show it on their website. @oneday_nursepoundcake most ABSN require students to have a bachelors degree already. if you already have a bachelors degree, you won't qualify for a grant from fafsa (tap, pell); this is what I've experienced for myself and all the students who I know that already have a bachelors degree. however, the fafsa will be used for your federal loan application. The fafsa application will also be used by the school to determine your eligibility for the needs based scholarship. From what I was told, there isn't a separate application for the merit based scholarship and need based scholarship. I'm guessing they do it automatically based on your gpa and the financial info you provided on the fafsa app. I hope this somewhat answers some of your questions.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN.

Thanks, @Gmilitar- this is very helpful info. I'm curious what's considered for merit-based scholarships. If it's simply GPA, is it likely your current one (e.g. pre-requisites for program) or is your 1st bachelor degree GPA factored in as well? Hoping for the former, as I've become a waaaay stronger student with age vs. me 20 years ago!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 minute ago, oneday_nursepoundcake said:

Thanks, @Gmilitar- this is very helpful info. I'm curious what's considered for merit-based scholarships. If it's simply GPA, is it likely your current one (e.g. pre-requisites for program) or is your 1st bachelor degree GPA factored in as well? Hoping for the former, as I've become a waaaay stronger student with age vs. me 20 years ago!

For the scholarship, I think they said its your overall bachelors gpa, but I'm not sure if its solely based on your gpa. its also safe to assume that they'll account for the prereqs. so regardless, a solid grade in the preqs and the upward trajectory of your academic performance will def make your application more stellar.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
25 minutes ago, oneday_nursepoundcake said:

Thanks, @Gmilitar- this is very helpful info. I'm curious what's considered for merit-based scholarships. If it's simply GPA, is it likely your current one (e.g. pre-requisites for program) or is your 1st bachelor degree GPA factored in as well? Hoping for the former, as I've become a waaaay stronger student with age vs. me 20 years ago!

Hey thank you for the comment about about me being kind lol. I’ve done ALOT of research on this program and have spoken to several graduates and I work with NPs that went to the program that’s how I know some of this stuff...I just wanna share the knowledge. Merit based it not based on GPA alone. One person I spoke to received merit based because of her extensive volunteer work, she had a VERY low GPA but she still got in and got a scholarship. So there is hope! That being said of course they still consider GPA. When you look at their previous cohorts it’s so hard to guess because the people vary so much, it’s almost like Columbia has no recipe...it’s driving me crazy too because we don’t find out until end of Feb ?
As for FAFSA, Fill out everything you can and make sure you put 2nd degree student!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@Gmilitar thank you for this info!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
47 minutes ago, Aw1992 said:

Hey thank you for the comment about about me being kind lol. I’ve done ALOT of research on this program and have spoken to several graduates and I work with NPs that went to the program that’s how I know some of this stuff...I just wanna share the knowledge. Merit based it not based on GPA alone. One person I spoke to received merit based because of her extensive volunteer work, she had a VERY low GPA but she still got in and got a scholarship. So there is hope! That being said of course they still consider GPA. When you look at their previous cohorts it’s so hard to guess because the people vary so much, it’s almost like Columbia has no recipe...it’s driving me crazy too because we don’t find out until end of Feb ?
As for FAFSA, Fill out everything you can and make sure you put 2nd degree student!

Nice! Thank you for clarifying about the gpa. They did mention that a lot of their students received a scholarship. Yeah we really won’t know until Jan/feb. I know they really emphasize on the holistic process, diversity, and social justice. Also, after reading the posts from the previous yr, I’ve Noticed that a Handful of students declined their acceptance offer because of the high tuition, even with the scholarship. So I really hope that Columbia gets more funding to use for the scholarships. But to be fair, most accelerated bachelors in nursing program are around the same price.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I applied for the Columbia MDE program for 2019 and got accepted with a $15,000 scholarship. I'd like to share some of my stats/tips/insights of my application journey last year for those who are anxiously waiting.

First of all, for my background, I don't have prior health care experience. But I was able to relate what I did for my job to the nursing career through my essays. My prereq. GPA is 4.0. Have a bachelor's in a non-science field w/ GPA of 3.73. I was able to get three good recommendation levels from my prereq. teachers.

I'd say the main crucial part of the application is 1st the timed video essay and 2nd the timed writing. These two are basically your interview responses to the committee and they are testing your communication skills as a future nurse.

Columbia was my top choice when choosing schools, so I was quite anxious like some of you guys too. But after comparing the financial aid packages from all the schools I was accepted to and visiting the campuses in person, I eventually did not choose Columbia.

My advice is to try to make it to all the accepted student days if you can and compare them. If you care about financing for schools, then figure out how much it will cost you and how much loan you need to borrow as soon as you get accepted to each school, so that you can make an informed choice.

I don't really regret my decision of applying to Columbia but not attending because I love the current school I go to and the substantial FinAid they offer.

Let me know if you guys have any questions.

Best of luck!!

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
24 minutes ago, magicpandora said:

I applied for the Columbia MDE program for 2019 and got accepted with a $15,000 scholarship. I'd like to share some of my stats/tips/insights of my application journey last year for those who are anxiously waiting.

First of all, for my background, I don't have prior health care experience. But I was able to relate what I did for my job to the nursing career through my essays. My prereq. GPA is 4.0. Have a bachelor's in a non-science field w/ GPA of 3.73. I was able to get three good recommendation levels from my prereq. teachers.

I'd say the main crucial part of the application is 1st the timed video essay and 2nd the timed writing. These two are basically your interview responses to the committee and they are testing your communication skills as a future nurse.

Columbia was my top choice when choosing schools, so I was quite anxious like some of you guys too. But after comparing the financial aid packages from all the schools I was accepted to and visiting the campuses in person, I eventually did not choose Columbia.

My advice is to try to make it to all the accepted student days if you can and compare them. If you care about financing for schools, then figure out how much it will cost you and how much loan you need to borrow as soon as you get accepted to each school, so that you can make an informed choice.

I don't really regret my decision of applying to Columbia but not attending because I love the current school I go to and the substantial FinAid they offer.

Let me know if you guys have any questions.

Best of luck!!

Thanks so much for sharing. If you don’t mind answering, which school did you end up going with?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
9 hours ago, J_future_PNP-PC said:

Thanks so much for sharing. If you don’t mind answering, which school did you end up going with?

Hopkins.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi all!

Current MDE student here. I will be matriculating into the Family NP program next Fall. Congrats on completing your applications! I'm sure it feels great to have that weight off your shoulders. If anyone has questions regarding admissions or the program I'd be more than happy to help.

Good luck!!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, FNP2B1210 said:

Hi all!

Current MDE student here. I will be matriculating into the Family NP program next Fall. Congrats on completing your applications! I'm sure it feels great to have that weight off your shoulders. If anyone has questions regarding admissions or the program I'd be more than happy to help.

Good luck!!

Hello and thanks for reaching out to help us!! ?

I got notified on Halloween that my application was forwarded to the Faculty Admissions Committee. I've also been working and emailing with the coordinator of student affairs who was in charge of doing the initial review for my application. They are definitely tearing me apart, it feels like it...i'm not sure if you had this experience when you applied. I completely understand why they are doing this though and i'm being very compliant with everything. Basically I was told I need to retake Anatomy (professor gave me a B- versus a B) and they recommended I test out of my lifespan psychology requirement (also already took the classes, averaged a B but they want to see me test out of it though Excelsior College). What I am most scared of is that I am putting the extra work next semester (retaking anatomy and taking the test to "test out" of the requirement) and I will not get accepted... =( I'll be finishing Microbiology and Statistics by the end of the year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment