Vanderbilt Pre-Specialty Applicants 2014

mzaur · Feb 19, 2014

I didn't even bother applying to Columbia. I did not hear good things about the program. I also would never want to live in NYC. I'm from NJ so I live pretty close and rarely go into the city. I actually spent a semester at a music school in NYC several years ago and hated the vibe of the city. I mean it's great if you like busy, overpopulated, and loud cities, but I prefer a smaller mid-sized city like Nashville.

NYC has got amazing food and culture, but it's incredibly expensive, and you'll be taking the subway a lot, which I hated doing. Don't even think about driving because traffic is a nightmare (and the drivers are insane). Finally, I'm really looking to get out of this area in general. NY and NJ population is generally very aggressive, not very friendly. Whenever I visited other states, I was always so surprised at how friendly everyone was compared to the people around here. Oh and weather-wise, NYC gets very, very cold in the winter, though not as cold as Boston.

If you like NYC and are willing to spend a fortune living and attending school there, then go for it. It's all about where you see yourself and what's important to you.

In terms of pros and cons aside from geography and cost, Columbia has you as a 5th year undergraduate for the first year while Vandy has you as a graduate. This means you'll likely have to take out private loans for the first year. That to me is a huge con, and I chose not to apply to other programs who have the same issue (U Penn, OHSU, U of Rochester). I'd rather have the security of qualifying for federal loans.

s-lizzy · Feb 19, 2014

I e-mailed admissions to ask when PMHNP applicants will get letters, and the reply was "You should hear something by the end of February or beginning of March." I feel like this week is out of luck...

mzaur · Feb 20, 2014

No way. My deposit at BC is due on the 28th! I really hope they are wrong about that estimate. I'd hate to throw away $400 just to keep my place as a backup. :-/

TarraLune · Feb 20, 2014

This wait is very frustrating. I mean come on they know by now who they want they've had most applications since December. :-/

mzaur · Feb 20, 2014

This time last year folks were getting letters. I still have faith about this week!

gabookworm · Feb 20, 2014

No way. My deposit at BC is due on the 28th! I really hope they are wrong about that estimate. I'd hate to throw away $400 just to keep my place as a backup. :-/

I would contact BCN and see if they will extend the deadline for you. Most schools are willing to be flexible. As an alternative, maybe call Vandy and explain that you have a deposit deadline looming elsewhere and need to know whether they are an option. It's getting ridiculous at this point when they have obviously made decisions.

gabookworm · Feb 20, 2014

I would contact BCN and see if they will extend the deadline for you. Most schools are willing to be flexible. As an alternative, maybe call Vandy and explain that you have a deposit deadline looming elsewhere and need to know whether they are an option. It's getting ridiculous at this point when they have obviously made decisions.

BC. Autocorrect.

mzaur · Feb 20, 2014

I think s-lizzy or someone else already contacted BC and they said that the deadline for deposit is firm :/ But thanks for the advice. I might contact the specialty program director since they would actually know given that they are the ones making the decisions. I don't think admissions is good to ask about this, which is why they give such a vague response about timeline.

CNMhopeful · Feb 20, 2014

Seriously. I would hope they would at least be in the mail by now if we are supposed to hear by next week.

TarraLune · Feb 20, 2014

Am I the only one that cannot believe open house is next weekend? They are cutting it close.

mzaur · Feb 20, 2014

I think the open house is mainly for prospective students who will be applying next year, which is why I decided not to go

pskrog · Feb 20, 2014

I finally got antsy enough to call about my FNP application yesterday afternoon... she looked me up and said that my application was still "awaiting decision."

I asked her about the email that went out estimating responses on Feb. 24th, and she said that they are "expecting letters to go out at the end of the month."

I'm going to give them another call Monday afternoon and check one more time... I don't think it'd be considered too overly zealous to call a second time, since they predicted that day for decisions anyway... right?