Is Columbia the right CRNA Program

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I am having a difficult time choosing a CRNA program in part due to the cost and in part due to having a partner that does not have a flexible profession and I am reaching out to the forum to see if anyone has some insight that I have not considered.

I have been accepted at Columbia as well as other more affordable but less well known programs and I am trying to decide if it is worth it due to the cost of a Columbia degree plus the cost of living in the city. Does having a Columbia Degree as a CRNA really elevate one professionally? I have heard about people getting contracts with hospitals that pay for their schooling at other programs, but does this happen at Columbia as well? I am really trying to think of a way that I can reduce my debt and still make it work. Am I better off having $40-50,000 less in debt at another program? Does anyone know of any scholarships available to CRNAs? I have looked into NURSE CORPS loan repayment as well as the scholarship as viable options, but maybe there is an untapped resource I am unaware of? I look forward to hearing some thoughts - sorry if this is a little rambling. Working nights plus overthinking this big decision has been a little scatterbrained and I am hoping to gain some focus here. Thanks so much.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I wish I would have gone somewhere less expensive than where I am now. Just make sure wherever you decide to go has high first time pass rates, good specialized rotations, rural CRNA only rotation, and plenty of chances to insert lines.

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Hi If Live gives you lemons,

I was waitlisted to Columbia but accepted to other programs. I think the benefit of Columbia' program is that it is only 27 months but is definitely is pricey. Im still deciding if I should wait for them to contact me regarding my status @ Columbia or if I should completely commit to the other program...Which programs where you accepted to and how did you rank the priority of the school you want to go to ?

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Hi If Live gives you lemons,

I was waitlisted to Columbia but accepted to other programs. I think the benefit of Columbia' program is that it is only 27 months but it definitely is pricey. Im still deciding if I should wait for them to contact me regarding my status @ Columbia or if I should completely commit to the other program...Which programs where you accepted to and how did you rank the priority of the school you want to go to ?

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As stupid as it sounds, I didn't take cost into consideration while deciding which school to go to. I based my decision on every day living and practicality. One of the programs I applied to would have likely meant my husband and I living apart for most of the program. I didn't want that. CRNA school already has a high divorce rate. I would like to think we would have been fine, but why put the extra stress on the relationship if I could prevent it.

I would also take quality of program into consideration, but I didn't apply to any schools that were sup par.

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I am still having a difficult time and I appreciate you writing. Thank you. I have been accepted at Westminster and Albany and Columbia - I was offered an interview at Northeastern but I am going to decline because the decision is already overwhelming. I am waiting to hear from Cal State Fullerton as well. I have a partner that has a less flexible profession so that is weighing heavy on my decision. I right now, the financial piece is a huge part of it. But I also don't know how much an IVY league degree is worth it. It's not going to pay for itself necessarily. So I guess ranking the schools has been as much the quality of the program, the price and location.

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I was denied at Columbia and accepted at A DNP program in jersey. I think acceptance to any program is a blessing they are all so competitive. Columbia would have been nice because it's 27 months but honestly I have heard mixed things about the program in general. I was bummed about not being accepted but in the long run I'll have my doctorate. Money is definitely a factor but shouldn't persaud you too much one way or another. All of us will have loans and they will get paid off for sure. Look at other facrtors such as commute time, clinical experience, is there competition with residents at the sites for intubation, insertion of lines, etc. Talk to students in the program now how do they feel. On my interview I was able to talk to current students and this was very helpful in my decision. Hope that helps good luck!

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Thanks for your perspective - much appreciated advice! I'll definitely update everyone when I make my final choice!

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I feel like I am in a similar boat as you, or I was. I talked to several Albany students, and I'm not sure how your interview went there but the faculty was very honest and sincere in their answers. The one note that stuck for me was when one of the interviewers described how they wanted you to succeed in the program, and if something happened in your personal life they were accommodating in letting you have time off. I have heard that other programs don't let you take much time off unless you are dying, and they monitor every day that you are out. The students themselves gave excellent insight into the program, and said how the faculty is great to work with and the relationships between everyone is friendly. Also the textbooks being free to download through the library so you can take them home certainly helps ease the costs, as well as the cost of living in Albany compared to NYC. I went to my Columbia interview already accepted to Albany, and I feel that I only went because of how prestigious Columbia is. But at the end of the day you pass the same certification exam and do the same job. Save the money where you can especially if that is a big concern for you. .

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Specializes in CT SICU.

I struggled with this, too-- it took a lot of soul-searching. I was accepted to an Ivy League program (UPenn) that was going to cost me almost twice as much as another program as I was interested in (Thomas Jefferson University). I ended up choosing Thomas Jefferson University for a variety of reasons; I realized the biggest reason I was interested in UPenn was prestige-- but to me, it wasn't worth an extra $100k just to brag that I could do it. By the time I accepted TJU, I turned down two other interviews. One semester down, and I'm really enjoying my program so far. I think I would have enjoyed UPenn's program too, but I would have been upset paying it back in the future when trying to buy my first house, car, vacation, etc. I'm a very practical person, and ambitious (as most SRNA/CRNA-hopefuls are), so I know how to find opportunities and make the best of any situation.

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Hi ArtAndScience. Thanks for the info. I am interested in both UPenn and TJU CRNA programs and going to apply very soon. Since you have been through both, can you give me some specifics about the interview process in these schools? Any advice on what the committee are looking for? Do you feel they favor certain things over the others? I have strong GPA and 2+ years of ICU experience, but I am not sure I am exactly the person who knows how to sell self on the interview. Any input very much appreciated.

I agree with your opinion regarding school's cost vs quality and prospective. I also heard rather upsetting stories about certain ivy league CRNA program and was advised against it. All CRNAs I know currently say it's not worth overpaying for your degree. I am considering Rutgers too, but I know it is one of the hardest to get into...

Thanks.

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Specializes in CT SICU.
Hi ArtAndScience. Thanks for the info. I am interested in both UPenn and TJU CRNA programs and going to apply very soon. Since you have been through both, can you give me some specifics about the interview process in these schools? Any advice on what the committee are looking for? Do you feel they favor certain things over the others? I have strong GPA and 2+ years of ICU experience, but I am not sure I am exactly the person who knows how to sell self on the interview. Any input very much appreciated.

I agree with your opinion regarding school's cost vs quality and prospective. I also heard rather upsetting stories about certain ivy league CRNA program and was advised against it. All CRNAs I know currently say it's not worth overpaying for your degree. I am considering Rutgers too, but I know it is one of the hardest to get into...

Thanks.

Hi Polaccrn. I don't want to hijack the topic of this thread, but I do want to briefly respond to your questions. TJU's interview was low-stress, and questions seemed to be geared at getting to know you personally, although I have heard they may ask more clinical questions if you do not have your CCRN. UPenn's interview was almost all clinical questions. They will ask you about your "most difficult patient" (I've heard that describing this scenario is standard in many other interviews), but they will grill you on every single thing you mention-- so if you mention it, you better know what you're talking about! At one point, I ended up describing how epoprostenol works down to a cellular level. Study, study, study. There's also a list of standard questions floating around on allnurses that helped me out a lot.

I did not apply for Rutgers. Someone that I interviewed with at UPenn also interviewed at Rutgers. I don't remember what she said specifically, but I think she said she had a tougher time at that interview because the interview style and interviewers were more intimidating. That was her own personal experience though. If you like the school, apply! :)

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