Hi it's true it is very competitive, the anesthesia program will only take about 5 ETP students every year, but you should still apply. I have also heard of students who entered the ETP program with another major (most of them critical care) and then...
Good luck I hope you get Columbia, I don't think your experience is that bad, it's more than what I have, I only have one year of ICU as RN and I was accepted for June 06. Hope to see you at Columbia.