BeaconStreet

Yup, white. All white. As in: no trim, stripes, swooshes, etc. You can put a little piece of tape or white out over small logos. Make sure they're comfortable-- you'll be running around in them all year!

Hi all, Another current ETP-er here. Congrats on your admission! On the topic of the uniforms, yes, they are sized like scrubs (unisex) so if you are female you will probably wear a smaller size than you usually do. The pants do have an elastic waist and so might be a little less forgiving than a drawstring scrubs. I'm 5'6 and usually wear a size 6 or 8--I have two extra-small tops and two small tops, and 4 pairs of medium pants. We did have a chance to try on and switch during orientation, so don't stress too much! You'll need two sets for summer and will probably want 3-4 during they fall when you have two clinical days a week. No need to buy the jacket--you can wear anything white or navy under or over your scrubs if you get cold. The uniforms are not really so bad--you've never loved so many pockets!-- that said, I don't plan to wear them again after May, so I'd be happy to part with them if someone wants to buy a discount set!

What'd you get for shoes, Cozzy (and anyone else)? I'm planning to head to our local shoes-for-old-people-and-nursing-students store tomorrow.

Iriska- You can waive the student health insurance (but not the health services fee) by filling out the form at http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/student/health/insurance/waive.html . The page is still set to the spring form, but the summer deadline isn't until June 30, so we have plenty of time. I'm still holding off on buying shoes because I haven't quite come around to the white-shoes-with-navy-pants look. Sigh. I'll probably end up starting with Crocs and then decide if I want to invest in Danskos later. I can't believe it's only a month away!

I've also heard that living right below the medical center isn't such a great idea. Does anyone have any idea how far south that advice extends?

I'm glad to see things perking up around here! I was also waitlisted for a dorm room, with a laughably low spot in the list. As in, maybe if all of you turn down your rooms, and then convince a few dozen med students to move out, and then they clean out a Bard Hall broom closet, then maybe I'll get a room. :wink2: Fellow waitlisters: any gameplans? My packet said we could reapply for fall housing September 4, which seems kind of late. Does anyone know when that group would get to move in?

Hi Cmelny, One of my earlier posts might be the source of confusion. After the December info session I posted that Chad had said that they were going to start holding the BSN until the end of the program. As Dg said above, however, the topic was addressed at the visiting day last week and they have not made that change after all. :nuke:

Hi Cozzy, The day started with accepted students sitting at tables by specialty. There was a screen and lectern at the front of the room, and many administrators and faculty were introduced and said a few words. Sarah Sheets-Cook, the vice dean, rapped (really). Judy Honig gave a little plug for the DNP degree and said that our class would be able to continue right through into that program (would probably add 1 year of school and 1 year residency). Karen Desjardins, the ETP director, gave a quick overview of the curriculum (it could have been a little longer--I didn't get everything!). Then we had lunch with our specialty and a faculty member at each table. After lunch, current students took small groups of us on long tours of the campus. This was my favorite part of the day, because my guide was great and spoke frankly about why she chose Columbia (over Penn, MGH, Yale), what student life is like, and what the pros and cons of the program are. The tour included the singles dorm (Just like college! An older building with not-tiny furnished rooms with big windows, some with river views. There is a kitchen somewhere, but I didn't see it. Hall bathrooms are coed and would probably inspire flip-flop wearing in the shower.), couples housing (Really nice apartments. Anyone want to be my domestic partner?), the student gym (located in the dorm, free to all, has lap pool), the Hammer building (home to big lecture halls, a nice new-looking science library, 24hr. computer lab, and cafe), and the Georgian building (home to nursing school administration, FinAid, skills lab and sim-dummies). Other random bits of info/advice I got from current students: Don't buy the white pants, they are see-through. Don't feel you have to live in Washington Heights. Most programs are closer to 2 years (plus 1 summer) than three unless you do a dual specialty or work part time. Lots of people work part time in the specialty portion, or go to school part time and work full time. The first summer is the hardest--each semester gets better after that. That's all I could absorb! I'm sure others who attended will have more to add.

I'll be there, too.

Another on buying supplies. I spoke to a number of med school friends who all urged me to get the best stethoscope I could. They said the cheaper models are fine for basics, but that heart sounds are hard enough even with good equipment. I noticed that some items are cheaper on the Steeles website than through the Columbia kits (for example 5 1/2" bandage scissors are $1 with stethoscope purchase). They have a really great price for the Cardio III. It's worth looking into, especially if you aren't buying the whole kit.

Hi Elle, I sent you a PM. For everyone else, the word is that letters are finally being mailed today, so we should have them by the end of this week. (Thanks to DG for being persistant!)

At the info session I attended in December they said they had switched the BSN to the end of the program. The admissions guy did say that they wanted to discourage people leaving after 1 year and that's why they had made the change. I don't know what happens to those who leave the program early under the new policy. The work requirements are in neo-natal and CRNA. They def. get their RN certification before starting the work requirement, but I'm not sure about the BSN.

The last time US News ranked nursing schools was in 2003, so discount these accordingly. At that time, Yale was #10 and Columbia was #19, although only number rank was between them due to multiple ties at each rank. There were also rankings in some specialties. I only remember that both were tied at #5 in adult (WH was not ranked). If you are curious, look in the college guide section at your library. It's something like US News Best Grad Schools 2003 or 2004. Really, I think the major decision is New York or not New York. A few other differences: Yale's GEPN class is about half as large as Columbia's (80-ish vs 150-ish). At Columbia you can switch your specialty after the first year, and you get a BS, although only at the end of the program. For most of us Columbia/New York will be more expensive. There's also the difference in start date. I haven't found many other concrete differences. Anyone else have thoughts?

I'm still hopeful that not all accepted students were called. For those who were called, who was the call from, and what specialty are you in?

Did anyone else not get a call? I'm getting nervous...