Vanderbilt 2021 Direct Entry

east_rn · Feb 16, 2021

hopefully, we find out soon! I'm going crazy refreshing my screen!

fblackwell · Feb 16, 2021

Same here

Megan722 · Feb 16, 2021

On 2/15/2021 at 3:35 PM, ICUnurse28 said:

I applied after the priority deadline and was wait listed. Does anyone see where exactly we’re supposed to sign up on the list?

What program did you apply to and when did you apply? I'm still waiting for a decision from AGACNP. I applied in January.

Camryn Sara · Feb 17, 2021

3 hours ago, east_rn said:

Hey everyone!

I applied by the priority deadline and still haven't heard anything. Anyone else still in this same boat?

Congrats to all who have been accepted!

I did! I contacted admission today and at least for PMHNP they are still making decisions. they only told me we will know by the end of the week

kcheck5, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 17, 2021

Long shot but maybe for current students... would there be travel to campus the first semester in the parttime path for the AGPC? I only ask since covid is still around. Anyone know about the block schedules this fall yet? Website said it’d post schedules in March, but maybe someone would know now. I got some interesting news from my OB about my birth plan and now I may consider deferral for 6 months. But if the first semester is all online, I think I can manage.

ForeverPsych · Feb 17, 2021

13 hours ago, Nurse2be2021 said:

@ForeverPsych Congrats on your acceptances! I am in the same boat as you with acceptances from Columbia, Yale, Vanderbilt, and Penn (although I will not be going to Penn). I am curious what your reasons are for choosing Columbia aside from the generous scholarship. Before Vandy's acceptance came in, I was deciding between Columbia and Yale. But now that I know Vandy is only two years with the option to practice in most states, I am completely torn. I've been most impressed by the support from faculty at Yale but wish the program gave two degrees like Columbia. I like that at Columbia I can exit/pause after a year with a Master's degree (albeit loose the seamless scholarship). Both Yale and Columbia have been pretty awesome with aid, and Vandy's been okay. I like that at Vandy we could be earning a full salary after just two years. Thoughts???

Thank you! And, congratulations to you too!

The main reason I’m choosing Columbia is because of the seamless MDE/DNP program. As compared to Yale, Columbia is the better choice for me for several reasons.

1. Columbia’s 4-year DNP vs Yale’s MSN: Earning my terminal degree in the shortest amount of time possible gives Columbia the obvious edge. If I were to do Yale’s GEPN program and transition into their DNP program, it would take me 5 years.

2.. Columbia’s clinicals are stronger: More clinical sites, more clinical hours, and more diverse clinical settings. Columbia also uses their Nurse Practitioner Group practice and 16,000 sq ft simulation lab to strengthen clinicals. Yale has a 5,300 sq ft lab that isn’t highlighted on their site. I get the sense that Columbia’s nursing program is more innovative.

3. Cost: A DNP from Yale would cost me $20,000 more based on the financial aid packages I received. This was surprising to me because everyone always talks about how Columbia is soooo much more expensive than any of the other programs. It really depends on the aid you get.

4. Columbia School of Nursing outranks Yale School of Nursing: Columbia’s DNP program is #1 in the country; Yale’s MSN program is #14 and their DNP program is #17. (Columbia’s MSN is only marginally better - #11 vs #14).

One of the advantages I think Yale has over Columbia is the name recognition. Even though they’re both Ivies and Columbia has become more selective in terms of admissions in recent years - it doesn’t register the same as Yale. If I cared enough about this then I would choose Yale. Also, Yale’s nursing program is much smaller than Yale and I get the sense from the communication I’ve had with them that they can offer more individual support to their students. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me because there would only be an obvious difference when compared to Columbia’s 15-month MDE. Their average cohort is huge - 200-250 students. Once you move into the DNP program, it’s much smaller. I also went to UC Davis for undergrad and am used to large lectures where I didn’t know my professors haha. I’m a pretty independent student so for me it’s fine.

The Vanderbilt appeal has always been the 2-year masters with psych specialty (for me). Columbia has a 15-month masters direct entry, but it’s a generalist masters with no specialty. Vanderbilt also offers a DNP that would take about 2 years to complete, so 4 years total for an MSN and DNP. Vanderbilt would also be $30,000 less than Columbia and $50,000 less than Yale. Still, Columbia wins for me because of the strength and format of the clinicals. I don’t want to have to travel up to 150 miles for clinicals in the MTA or pay for my own lodging, transportation, etc. I also think the NYC urban setting is a better fit because one of my passions is working with marginalized/socioeconomically disadvantaged/ethnic minority populations. The south is not as diverse obviously.

What school are you leaning towards?

queenrus · Feb 17, 2021

5 hours ago, ForeverPsych said:

Thank you! And, congratulations to you too!

The main reason I’m choosing Columbia is because of the seamless MDE/DNP program. As compared to Yale, Columbia is the better choice for me for several reasons.

1. Columbia’s 4-year DNP vs Yale’s MSN: Earning my terminal degree in the shortest amount of time possible gives Columbia the obvious edge. If I were to do Yale’s GEPN program and transition into their DNP program, it would take me 5 years.

2.. Columbia’s clinicals are stronger: More clinical sites, more clinical hours, and more diverse clinical settings. Columbia also uses their Nurse Practitioner Group practice and 16,000 sq ft simulation lab to strengthen clinicals. Yale has a 5,300 sq ft lab that isn’t highlighted on their site. I get the sense that Columbia’s nursing program is more innovative.

3. Cost: A DNP from Yale would cost me $20,000 more based on the financial aid packages I received. This was surprising to me because everyone always talks about how Columbia is soooo much more expensive than any of the other programs. It really depends on the aid you get.

4. Columbia School of Nursing outranks Yale School of Nursing: Columbia’s DNP program is #1 in the country; Yale’s MSN program is #14 and their DNP program is #17. (Columbia’s MSN is only marginally better - #11 vs #14).

One of the advantages I think Yale has over Columbia is the name recognition. Even though they’re both Ivies and Columbia has become more selective in terms of admissions in recent years - it doesn’t register the same as Yale. If I cared enough about this then I would choose Yale. Also, Yale’s nursing program is much smaller than Yale and I get the sense from the communication I’ve had with them that they can offer more individual support to their students. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me because there would only be an obvious difference when compared to Columbia’s 15-month MDE. Their average cohort is huge - 200-250 students. Once you move into the DNP program, it’s much smaller. I also went to UC Davis for undergrad and am used to large lectures where I didn’t know my professors haha. I’m a pretty independent student so for me it’s fine.

The Vanderbilt appeal has always been the 2-year masters with psych specialty (for me). Columbia has a 15-month masters direct entry, but it’s a generalist masters with no specialty. Vanderbilt also offers a DNP that would take about 2 years to complete, so 4 years total for an MSN and DNP. Vanderbilt would also be $30,000 less than Columbia and $50,000 less than Yale. Still, Columbia wins for me because of the strength and format of the clinicals. I don’t want to have to travel up to 150 miles for clinicals in the MTA or pay for my own lodging, transportation, etc. I also think the NYC urban setting is a better fit because one of my passions is working with marginalized/socioeconomically disadvantaged/ethnic minority populations. The south is not as diverse obviously.

What school are you leaning towards?

@ForeverPsych after your analysis, where can I sign up for Columbia? LOL Seriously, I love the comparison between the programs. I am still evaluating but it just goes to show that the decision between offers is multifaceted. My end goal is DNP as well in the shortest time possible.

FlyMurse, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2021

On 2/15/2021 at 4:07 PM, PiperLambie said:

I applied AGACNP with three years ED/CVICU experience, and was not offered admission. Congratulations to those who will start the next phase of their education this fall.

@PiperLambieDid you apply before the priority deadline?

FlyMurse, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2021

On 2/15/2021 at 9:56 PM, queenrus said:

Thanks ForeverPsych...wow....OK...hah! My award is quite sad so I am not working with much. I love Vanderbilt and am happy I got accepted but the finances definitely would need to be evaluated.

Same. Mine was only $4200 I think. I'm not sure I can justify taking out $150k in loans to help with living expenses.

I actually gave up on CRNA school after 12 rejections over about 4 years. However, one program director said he was impressed with my dedication and wanted to interview me this August for a December start. I'm not sure if I should start Vandy and drop out if I get in, or just not start and hope for CRNA this Fall.

queenrus · Feb 17, 2021

8 minutes ago, FlyMurse said:

Same. Mine was only $4200 I think. I'm not sure I can justify taking out $150k in loans to help with living expenses.

I actually gave up on CRNA school after 12 rejections over about 4 years. However, one program director said he was impressed with my dedication and wanted to interview me this August for a December start. I'm not sure if I should start Vandy and drop out if I get in, or just not start and hope for CRNA this Fall.

Hi @FlyMurse Yeah I am still working on the financial justification part. I wish Vandy gave us a bit more $$$ to work with.

Wow.....that's a tough situation about the CRNA program. What are you more passionate about? I would find it hard to give up the opportunity to interview for the CRNA. Do you think he would be able to interview you earlier than August?

FlyMurse, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2021

3 hours ago, queenrus said:

Hi @FlyMurse Yeah I am still working on the financial justification part. I wish Vandy gave us a bit more $$$ to work with.

Wow.....that's a tough situation about the CRNA program. What are you more passionate about? I would find it hard to give up the opportunity to interview for the CRNA. Do you think he would be able to interview you earlier than August?

I really lost my passion and motivation for it after that last rejection. I worked so hard to build a rapport with the faculty and they had a mass exodus. But this new asst director seems really good and I think I have a good case for admission. I just don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. Plus I figured Fall at Vandy would really discipline me and maybe give me a head start on my potential classmates, academically speaking.

queenrus · Feb 18, 2021

16 minutes ago, FlyMurse said:

I really lost my passion and motivation for it after that last rejection. I worked so hard to build a rapport with the faculty and they had a mass exodus. But this new asst director seems really good and I think I have a good case for admission. I just don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. Plus I figured Fall at Vandy would really discipline me and maybe give me a head start on my potential classmates, academically speaking.

Which specialty are you doing at Vanderbilt? If you feel more passion for your selected specialty then it would be hard to give up the your Fall spot for the unknown. It's a tough decision. I thought about the CRNA at one point but didn't feel like I was passionate about that route. You do have some time to think before accepting your Vanderbilt offer.