MDE Columbia University 2021

Kura39 · Feb 12, 2021

I completely agree. I understand that they have a larger than usual number of applications. However, out of all the schools I’ve applied to and heard from, Columbia seems to be the only school using this excuse as a reason to draw out releasing decisions. And from what I read on this, it’s stopping many people from making productive decisions regarding nursing school.

FutureNP90 · Feb 12, 2021

8 hours ago, heather013 said:

From previous years I think the average cohort was between 200-260 people. Given that the fb group now has 120+ people joint, and including those who accepted the offer but havent joint that group yet, round 1 acceptances should be around 150-180 people. That leaves the spots for round 2 to be around 50-100. Note that they often give out more offers than spots, so I think 70-130 or 140 acceptances will be given out in round 2. As they mentioned in their email that the number of applicants increased over 30%, that means that there should be around 800-1000 applicants this year. (Given acceptance rates of 25-35% from previous years) This year’s acceptance would be around 20% or so. Fingers crossed. If not, I am stuck with my econometrics and stats major at least for this year... ?

hahah OMG I did the exact same thing!! I was a bit more conservative with my numbers, to give me the worst case scenario and mentally prepare for rejection *laughs in insecure*.

As per the forums and facebook group, it fluctuated a lot but, I came up with 120ish people being notified of acceptance, with a 19% acceptance rate (its been about 20-25% over the last few years, then I decrease the percentage for the increase in applicants this year) thats about 630ish people notified (acceptance, rejections, waitlist). That leaves about 300-400 people left to notify, and at a 19% acceptance rate that leaves about 60-80 seats left for acceptances. Again, this was my worst case scenario, "be prepared for rejection" numbers. I feel like the true numbers would be between your estimation and mine haha. This is driving me nuts! My partner also wants to know if we are moving across the country already hahaha.

FutureNPWA13 · Feb 12, 2021

Totally agree with everyone! It puts applicants in a questionable situation. I'm not sure if the school is aware that people have lives, have family, have pets, and so many other responsibilities that they need to take care of ahead of time to be able to attend this program. It would really help to hear from them already so everyone can plan their life accordingly.

FutureNPWA13 · Feb 13, 2021

Does anyone know if it counts against if you retake prereqs to get a better grade? If so how many chances do you get?

Orchid_R2D2 · Feb 13, 2021

2 minutes ago, Melvin Valle said:

Does anyone know if it counts against if you retake prereqs to get a better grade? If so how many chances do you get?

I'm a reapplicant and I was asked to retake 2 of my courses by them during the last cycle. I did so for this cycle but haven't heard back yet...given they suggested I retake I would hope it to mean it wouldn't count against me to retake for a better grade. Generally speaking admissions like to see an upward trend in grades. I am unsure how many chances we get but I would say no more than repeating it once or twice is advisable in general.

kac1225 · Feb 13, 2021

1 hour ago, Orchid_R2D2 said:

I'm a reapplicant and I was asked to retake 2 of my courses by them during the last cycle. I did so for this cycle but haven't heard back yet...given they suggested I retake I would hope it to mean it wouldn't count against me to retake for a better grade. Generally speaking admissions like to see an upward trend in grades. I am unsure how many chances we get but I would say no more than repeating it once or twice is advisable in general.

What grades did you get and in what classes, if you don't mind me asking?

eg96 · Feb 13, 2021

1 hour ago, Melvin Valle said:

Does anyone know if it counts against if you retake prereqs to get a better grade? If so how many chances do you get?

I would hope it doesn’t. I had to retake my A&P II class twice ??‍♀️ but I sorta explained that in my addendum and was straightforward with it. But I think it also looks good that they see applicants who retake it for a better grade because they really want to get accepted into the school so it shows motivation! They never said how many chances you get but I would assume up to two times.

Orchid_R2D2 · Feb 13, 2021

2 hours ago, kac1225 said:

What grades did you get and in what classes, if you don't mind me asking?

I don’t mind!
I retook Anatomy, my initial grade was a B-, I brought it up to a B+, I was so close to the A but the Professor kept it at a B+. I also retook lifespan psychology. I took it as a series as an undergrad where I had 1 B and 2 Cs. I explained those grades in my addendum last year but I should have asked beforehand (honestly I don’t know what I was thinking but I still applied) I’m currently taking it as one course and have an A. I should be finishing it this month. I’m taking it online. They suggested I test out of it through Excelsior but given I applied to other programs that don’t accept Excelsior I opted to take the course.

ladybug1 · Feb 13, 2021

I know Columbia is very big on research and volunteer work. Has anyone who has been accepted not have research experience?

hilsaevp · Feb 13, 2021

Just now, ladybug1 said:

I know Columbia is very big on research and volunteer work. Has anyone who has been accepted not have research experience?

I had zero research experience. The only relevant experience I had on my resume was emergency department scribing for 8 months. I think the personal statement weighs heavily because besides my grades, that was the only redeeming quality I had on paper.

ladybug1 · Feb 13, 2021

50 minutes ago, hilsaevp said:

I had zero research experience. The only relevant experience I had on my resume was emergency department scribing for 8 months. I think the personal statement weighs heavily because besides my grades, that was the only redeeming quality I had on paper.

Thank you for sharing! I feel a bit better because I do not have any research experience whatsoever. And even though I am iffy about attending Columbia right now, I do want to know if I have a shot at being accepted with my little experience

againstthegrain · Feb 13, 2021

To all the folks already admitted to, or still anxiously awaiting a decision from, CUSON, I have a question: Did anyone have to make a commitment to any other nursing school (besides those admitted to CUSON in the "first round") by the 29th? In my case, as much as I would have appreciated getting into the program in the "first round," I was happy that I didn't have to make that decision before I heard from other schools. And as I wait for CUSON's decision, I'm wondering if any other nursing school has organized admissions in "rounds," effectively creating an early decision-like admissions process, but without informing applicants (in advance of submitting their applications) that they would be "sorted" this way?

There's a worry in the back of my mind that if other nursing programs didn't organize their admissions process the same way as CUSON that (1) students accepted in the first round were pressured to put down a deposit to secure their spot, all the while hoping to get into a different program; (2) that organizing their admissions process into two "rounds" creates an unnecessary and inaccurate perception that students admitted in the "second round" aren't as qualified as those accepted in the "first round"; and (3) that CUSON has potentially engaged in early-decision-like admissions practices that foreclose acceptances to other nursing programs.

No other school I applied to organized their admissions process into "rounds" or required a deposit before the entire (rounds 1+2) admissions process was finalized. So I'm just curious what other applicants' admissions processes have been like, and whether what CUSON has done this year is mirrored in other nursing schools' admissions practices.

Best of luck to everyone!