NYCityLights

When you say "none" of the prerequisites, does that mean you just need the science pre-reqs (Micro, Anatomy, Physiology, and Psych), or do you really mean ALL of them, including English comp, humanities (2-3 classes), social sciences (1-2 classes), and statistics? If it's just the science classes you still need, 2 semesters is probably enough, assuming whatever undergrad institution you're attending offers them in those semesters and at times that don't conflict with each other. If you still need the general liberal arts classes as well, you might be setting yourself up for a really, really tough fall and spring. I needed 3 pre-reqs, but I work full time, so I'm completing the first one now, will do the second this summer, and finish up the third this fall before I apply. If I weren't working and could go to school full time, I think it would be manageable to do all three in one semester (assuming A & P were offered at the same time. Most places offer it as a 2 semester series). Is there any way you could get at least a couple of these out of the way--maybe online?--before September? That might make it a little more realistic to try to get the rest done in two semesters. Nothing is impossible, though! Good luck!

I recently attended the Columbia information session, and they confirmed that they don't do interviews.

Very helpful, PamCBM2Be. Thank you so much for your willingness to advise those of us just starting on this track. Yale's program also seems great (as someone already living in NYC, married, and pretty much settled here for the long haul, Yale and Columbia are really my two most logistically realistic options at this point -- hoping and praying every day that at least one will work out next year). Congratulations and best of luck this fall! If you don't mind my asking--if you applied for financial aid, did you find that the packages were similar from both schools? Or was one significantly more favorable than the other? That is probably my biggest concern at the moment. Given NYC's significantly higher cost of living, I'm curious to know if that is accounted for in Columbia's package, or whether the two were pretty similar (leaving the student to figure out the additional living expenses separately).

I know it's early, but I too am planning to apply to Columbia's ETP program for next year (I've been reading through posts from this year's accepted students and am jealous I didn't apply sooner. I want to start school NOW!!!) I haven't completely decided which specialty area yet, but I've heard the anesthesia program is tough with very few spaces (10 total, perhaps?). Best of luck! Any others out there already working on pre-reqs and applications for summer 2012 entry? If you read back through posts from the 2010 and 2011 ETP classes, there may be some stats there on accepted anesthesia applicants. There is a lot of information in the SRNA and CRNA forums as well.

I'm from Tallahassee, but have never worked in the hospitals there (applying to nursing schools now). I know several doctors and a few nurses at TMH. I have been treated there in the past, and the care and facilities were excellent. I actually just visited a family member in ICU there this weekend and found myself thinking it was somewhere I would like to work. Tallahassee is a marvelous place to live and much more like Gainesville than Melbourne would be. As you know from being in Gainesville, the comparison between northern/panhandle Florida and south Florida is like being on two different planets -- personally, I've always preferred the former. People are friendly, schools and quality of life are great, and the surroundings are GORGEOUS. It is much more like an extension of southern Georgia with the hills, trees, lakes, and plantations, so if you are looking for a more typically "beach-y" Florida -- including lots of northern snowbirds :) -- head to Melbourne (however, Tallahassee is only a short drive from some of the most beautiful coastal areas of Florida). Wish I could help you more with the professional info. You may want to check the allnurses.com Region tab. I've definitely seen some threads discussing Tallahassee hospitals in the Florida forum there.