PurpleBee

My dears, Please be aware that even though Oscar sent us the federal Stafford loan letter and informed us of how much money we qualify for, we need to apply separately for the Federal Loan. (this was news to me, so I thought it would be helpful for you to know as well) There are different lenders with different deals. Just for your information, Sally Mae's Trust lender drops .65% of the federal interest rate if you allow them to take the money directly from a checking account each month, or they give you back 4% of the first 12 payments made on time. I did not search other lenders, since I thought what they offer was ok and plus they are "friends" with Columbia Univ SON. I am not advertising Sally Mae, I am only sharing the info.

Yes, I got mine too. I think we paid a lot of money for that gift. I look forward for more surprises.

Undergrad, because we are getting our BS. If you remember when filling out FAFSA, Oscar told us to say that we are 5th year undergrads. When taking private loans, you get better deals for undergraduate studies.

Hi! I started looking for private student loans this week and I applied to only 2 thus far. I applied with a co-signer and this is what I received: 1) Sally Mae -- Interest Rate: 4.50 (this varies and is based on a simple calculation: Prime Rate - 0.75 . The prime rate is what changes frequently, and at this very moment the prime rate is 5.25. The 0.75 was calculated based on the credit check and who knows what) 2) Citi Bank -- Interest Rate: Prime Rate - 0.5% (when I called, they told me that the primary is 6% and so my interest rate would be 6-.5 = 5.5%) Both lenders gave me the entire amount I asked for, their interest rates are variable, they charge no penalties for paying the loan sooner, and they both offer a grace period of 6 months after graduation (or dropping up to part time student or leaving school). http://www.bankrate.com/brm/ratewatch/wsjprimerate.asp This is a nice website to track down the Prime Rate. As you can see, this month PR is 5.25 and a year ago was 8.25 I haven't yet decided on the loan, although it's pretty obvious Sally Mae is more convenient. Could you share your Interest Rate and from whom you obtain it from? Should I keep hunting? I had a lot of stress and frustration over this matter. Good luck!

Hi Stef82! Congratulations!!!! It must feel pretty good knowing you're in, eh? What specialty are you? I personally encourage you to read this thread and others pertaining to Columbia ETP.. I, myself spent hours reading them. This way you'll get most of questions answered and there's no need to repeat what has been said already. But I also don't want to discourage you from asking new questions and posting whatever you have in mind, so keep posting here!! Yeey, congrats again!!! Take care ps: You can PM me and get in touch through phone.. that's the easiest and fastest way.

Are you guys up for an experiment? I sent an e-mail from CubMail to my personal gmail and it took 30 minutes to arrive. Can you beat me?

I dunno about you guys, but it's been only a few hours since I activated the e-mail account and I've already received 3 e-mails from unknown and unrelated parties (although all from columbia.edu). I wonder if the account has a scam filter .. at this rate it would soon lower my tolerance level. Or maybe I should get used to it?! Some e-mails could be interesting and informative, what can I say..

Yes... I activated my UNI account today too. However, I am not too fond of it. Did all of you receive something like: XXX####@columbia.edu? (XXX= first name initial, middle initial, last name initial) I did not see the online form that needs to be completed for the face book account. Nevertheless, it was nice to receive more info about the program. We're almost there!! Oh, and the first day of orientation (May 28 from 8:30-~5pm) they will serve breakfast and lunch - nice!

Elisha, Call the office and ask if they can put you on a cancellation list; this way if a person who has an appointment sooner than yours cancels, you get a call from the office and if you are available you can take that person's spot. My app tomorrow is with a Family NP (who graduated from Yale direct entry program in 2007). I'll have a bunch of questions for her, hehe. When I called to schedule my appointment the docs were very busy and they would only see me for 15-20 minutes compared with a NP who dedicates 45-1hr with me and do all the necessary examination and immunization forms.

I think there is a late fee of $50 which then increases to 75 if the documents are not turned in within 10 days? a few weeks.. You need to check the package for details. I would fax and mail in whatever you have done thus far. (the medical history that you complete on your own, past immunization record, etc) That's what I'll do since my app is tomorrow and I will most likely need chest X ray for TB (I received the vaccine in Europe so I'm positive) which will delay the process. Best of luck.

Hi guys, What private loans do you recommend. Any banks and private lenders with a good APR? Thanks.

Wow, that seems very confusing and complicated. I would hate to be in your shoes. Everyone on this thread has a bachelor in a specific field (bio, English, geography, etc etc) and has completed some classes required for the ETP (entrance to practice) program- microbio, statistics, etc. {ETP program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor other than in nursing and who want to enter the nursing field. Some schools call this program "direct entry" - 3 year program: 1 year BSN and 2 years MSN} ETP is the first year of the program at Columbia University after which we receive our bachelor of science in nursing, and can become RNs upon successful examination of the Nclex exam. After this year, students have another year and a half or two years (depending on each specialty) to finish MSN portion of the program (masters of science in nursing). We all have different specialties .. We all received the acceptance/rejection letters in February and some of us went to the visiting day on March 7th. (on page 35 I typed a small summary on what happened that day) The ETP program starts May 28 (orientation for 3 days while actual classes start Monday June 2nd) and end August 1st. [[we have 18 units in 2 months!!!]] Fall semester starts right after Labor day (September 2nd). How come you start in the Fall? All the ETP students start in the summer. Are you sure you applied for the right program? Maybe you are already an RN and you're only doing the masters program which in that case is different than us here. I would definitely call the school again and clarify with them the situation. Maybe they have the wrong address in file for you..etc. Besides the housing application we also received the financial aid, uniforms and instrument, immunization + medical history packages. Everything has a deadline and some have late fees Read the Columbia University SON's (school of nursing) website carefully and call Judy for clarifications. Good luck

Hi Alexandria8, Congratulations for the room!!!! You are in Boston and you received a room, that is amazing! I live in CA, and I'm still waiting for the letter. I cross my fingers for a sink :) Also, congrats to everyone who got lucky! Looking forward for the AUGUST break and to meet all of you.

Yes, I do find it unfair..Although it's hard to believe that they put priority to those who sent the SON deposit the fastest when the deadline was just last week. And many people sent the deposit only after the visiting day. I personally went to the housing department after the open house to see if my application was ok, and if I was missing any documents. Initially I thought that they asked for a separate housing deposit, but that was not true. They told me that they will assign housing after the 500$ deadline (after they receive a list with who payed and who didn't) and the date that they look at when prioritizing is the date that they received the housing application from the students. I hope there's still hope for you. Where are you coming from? I'm from CA.

Hi, I called the housing department hoping that they'll tell me an answer regarding the on-campus room. I knew they'll send the letters today -- Wed, but the lady on the phone told me they'll send them Friday. One more week to wait...