Firstly congrats on your acceptances!!!
Just my two cents here
1- it seems from what you've said Cornell's program/coursework is more favorable too you than Columbia; as well as building the skills you're looking for
2- having a large cohort of students can be both negative and positive. The large amount of students in the HMP department will affect your time with professors and it's nearly impossible to meet everyone. Coming from a large Undergrad vs Small Grad program @ UMich ---I've personally preferred the intimacy of smaller class groups. You get to meet everyone and really build a valuable relationship with your classmates and professors
This just becomes a personal preference as well; teaching styles in the classrooms will differ from larger to small. Just something else to keep into consideration.
3- I wouldn't downplay Cornell's "name status" it's a very well known name across the nation
4-the practicum is only over the summer, so you won't get the full-time work experience "requirement" that some industries may want; if I understood what you were saying correctly. Most jobs that require work experience in the descriptions will say 2+ years for ex, (even if it's 1 yr work experience lol no summer practicum will cover it) this is from what I've seen while Job hunting with 1 MS. You will most likely begin at entry-level
You're putting time and money; schools an investment I'm starting to be more concerned about the program structure, and what the MPH can do for me as a student and how well the school will prepare me for my future endeavors
Best of luck and congrats again! You'll make the right decision
THANK YOU OrchidMPH for your thoughtful response! You are totally right about the class size and I didn't realize that there's a chace I won't be able to socialize with every student in the program, as well as having a limited environment to communicating with professors at Columbia!
Thanks again, and I with you best of luck on your endeavor as well!