DizzyMissLizzy9

They probably haven't updated the website yet. What you CAN do is check studentloans.gov, sign in (you'll need that awesome PIN #), and on the left side you'll see a menu... you can check for "Completed MPNs" and "View Previously Completed Counseling". so if they say they're completed there, I would go by that

sfrntobe - no problem! all these e-mails get me jumbled up too, so I thought telling you which e-mail we got that information might be able to give you a point of reference just in case for later on. I actually just bought my one-way ticket to JFK yesterday and it turns out I will be flying out of SFO! :) I'm from SoCal but will be driving up to SF since my sister is one lucky girl and gets to inherit all my furniture and MY CAR! It'd be nice to meet up with some of you SF'ers if you're still in the area.. maybe some of us are on the same flight! I'll be in the bay area between May 23 and fly out May 30th in the afternoon. Iowayu, you're right - UNsubsidized loans do accrue interest while you're in school. The best thing to do with these loans is to pay off the interest while you're in school so the principal (total) amount doesn't increase. If you don't pay at least the interest during this time you'll end up paying interest on interest... bleh. The most attractive federal loans you can get are subsidized (no interest accrues until your 6 month grace period is over and you begin to pay back the loan). As for private loans, you'll need to do research to find the best one... it varies since it depends on your credit, the terms of the loan, etc. I wrote earlier that I've found Wells Fargo's MedCap loan to be the most appealing, so I would recommend taking a peak at their site, or calling one of their loan specialists so they can answer your questions. Sallie Mae had REALLY high interest rates (11%) so that turned me off completely!

OH! I forgot to update you guys on a little bit more about private loans... I called Wells Fargo and talked to a really nice loans specialist. I highly recommend that you call and ask all the questions you have, because I feel a lot more comfortable applying for the MedCap loan than any other ones that I have been researching. Thank God for good credit, because I was approved for the loan and was given a preliminary interest rate of 7.25% (and I learned that can be further dropped down if I get someone to cosign with me). It's the most appealing loan I've found so far!

Hi sfrntobe.. luvnola was so kind enough to provide you with the link to the SSOL, but just so you know, we got an e-mail on April 15th with directions to activate your UNI, @columbia.edu e-mail address as well as instructions for submitting a photo for your ID card that we will receive at orientation. There was also information about who to contact for off-campus housing, as well as sending finalized transcripts and etc. There was also a memo that the details for orientation are updated on the accepted applicants website. Maybe you can fish around your inbox to see if you received something like this for your reference. The subject line read, "School of Nursing Reminders and To-Do Before Orientation"

I also have a hold on the immunization paperwork. I called in before and I am also cleared, they just haven't had the chance to update the website, since I was told that the papers will need to be reviewed by docs, etc. Don't trip, potato chip, especially if you FedEx'd them and got a receipt that they signed for the papers (track it online). Also did a bit of research on private loans, and it looks like the Wells Fargo MEDCap loan is probably what I'm going to go with. I don't really know where else to look? :\

just talked to someone from finaid. they said according to an e-mail they sent previously, finaid packages might not be ready as late as may 1... did anyone else get this mysterious e-mail??? cause i sure didn't.

me too guys... just spent $32 to overnight the contract. argh!

thanks mission. how stressful... i guess we should try and keep ourselves busy with the glorious summer reading and med-math practice

someone mentioned earlier that a current ETP student advised them to just invest in a stethoscope and reusable pen light.

Hi guys, I'm also worried about housing because I also cannot make it to NYC before June! The one thing here is... I have a pet kitty, which complicates things... I was hoping to find a sublet somewhere... possibly do the dorm thing (though I really wouldn't like to!)... but I guess I'll take what I can get. Any cat lovers in here looking for a roomie? :)

I recommend to look off campus, since the lottery chances are pretty slim. I've heard that west-coast applicants have priority though. Maybe this sounds high maintainence but I've heard that the rooms are really small, only a few have their own sinks. I think living in the dorms during undergrad was enough for me :) As for the login thing, I would think they need to send us an ID/password to be able to do that. Would this be the same "Columbia Uni" identification that is asked of us in the Pre-Registration medical history forms? I'm assuming its a kind of student ID number...

Thanks ooooladoula! and yes, it helps a lot :) I'll probably take the current student's advice and get a pen light, and think a little more about getting a new stethoscope or not

Thanks for all your responses everyone :) Some questions I have... about uniforms - are we expected to wear uniforms to clinicals only, or to both lecture classes AND clinicals? If both, I would think ordering 2 sets of scrubs wouldn't be enough to last the week unless people love to do laundry (which I don't) about supplies - I happen to have a stethoscope (Littmann 3M).. it's a bit old, do you think its necessary to buy a brand new one? I think if I went ahead with a package I would go with #2... about immunizations/physicals/titers - What do we do if we don't have our immunization records (I know, it's terrible!)

so anyone wanna share what some of us missed at the visit day?

its ok, thankfully i've been accepted to other schools. but thanks anyway javabean, wishing you and everyone else the best of luck