2016 UPenn BSN/MSN Applicants

[Bell427]

Hi all,

I couldn't find a thread for the UPenn BSN/MSN 2016 summer applicants, so I decided to start one. I think it will be a great way for us to connect and support each other.

Is anyone else on here currently applying?

Best of luck.

[retroaries12]

Got into PMHNP wowowow :)

Congrats!!! are you going full time or part time? do you know how many people are accepted into that program?

[FutureNPisMe]

Congrats!!! are you going full time or part time? do you know how many people are accepted into that program?

Thank you and likewise!! :) I am waiting for UCSF to respond and then I will make my final decision. If I do choose Penn, I would probably go full-time, but I think it will depend on how intense that first year is. Is part time definitely available for the BSN -- I was under the impression that part time was only available for the MSN portion, no? I don't know how many people are accepted into the program. That's a great question and something we should ask the school directly. I am also curious about the total number of people in the psych track specifically.

[ignisviridae]

Waitlisted. I'm confused, does that mean if I'm accepted later that I'll get into both the MSN and ABSN programs?

[S_J_S]

I was as well, WhaleThen

Fingers crossed that spaces open up for us.

[js11]

I am debating between UPenn, Vanderbilt, and Columbia (MDE/DNP- AGACNP). Anyone have any thoughts/advice?

[asgw19]

i am also debating between UPenn (absn) and Columbia (mde). I am from nyc and could save a lot of $$ living at home with columbia but I'm still pretty torn and would love any insight.

[FutureNPisMe]

What are you guys' thought processes for picking one over the other? Penn is really strong. My inclination would be Penn over Columbia but I'd love to hear what your guys' thoughts are on each!

[sandram417]

Accepted into the FNP Program very very happy day!

[JHay220]

Congrats! I am strongly considering Penn for PMHNP. What do you know between Penn's and Columbia's respective programs? I was accepted into Columbia's MDE/DNP program but I think Penn's is much much stronger.

On a side note, is anyone debating between Penn and UCSF in particular?

Thanks! I agree that I think UPenn's program is stronger--plus I don't think I like the non-specialty, non-NP master's then DNP structure at Columbia. I'd rather get my MSN as a CNM and maybe go back for the DNP later after working some. I only applied to the MDE (not DNP) at Columbia and so that's another stressor of having to apply for the DNP during the MDE. I was told at a Columbia information session that they changed their structure to the DNP due to projected education requirements for NP and also to help with people who maxed our their undergrad federal loans (not my situation). UPenn on the other hand said many, many times that they are a loan-based program, which I guess is most NP schools, but I did get at least some financial aid from Emory. I guess my choice right now is primarily between UPenn and Emory.

Good luck with your decision! What factors are you weighing?

[js11]

For me I love that Penn lets you work between the aBSN and MSN portions. (At least for acute care they do!) I think it will be awesome to get the RN experience in the middle of the program before diving into the NP work and they really seem to want students to customize their experience which I love. Never stepping foot in NYC before is very very daunting and I feel like I would be more comfortable at Penn.

[asgw19]

I guess I don't really know that much about the MDE program, and it does kind of scare me that it's new. I also only applied for the MDE (and the Accelerated BSN at Penn) because I'm not positive about what I want to specialize in. Do you think the job market would be harder graduating from Columbia with a general msn with no experience vs a bsn from Penn? I figure that Columbia knows what they are doing and that's why they switched, but who knows. Also, Columbia is a shorter program by three months, which makes some difference $-wise. I grew up in the city so am totally comfortable with that, but it could also be fun to explore a new place. I don't know, I'm hoping that the decision will be clear after visiting both places but it's definitely going to be tough.

[richj86]

I've also debated the Penn/Columbia programs and which I would ultimately choose if offered admission to both. I'm still waiting on my Penn decision and have accepted a spot on Columbia's MDE waitlist, so if I'm lucky I'll have the chance to choose. Since my ultimate goal is to become an NP, I'd probably choose Penn's program so that I could A) have the chance to submatriculate into the MSN program, and B) do the MSN part-time so that I could also gain some experience. I'm not sure if Columbia's DNP can be done part-time, however you do get paid during residency which is practically the same thing. Honestly, either would be a great choice. Thoughts?