2019 PHAP (CDC's Public Health Associate Program)

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TheOtherEcho said:
I also received it! I'm a little confused though - is this the same as "making it" through the first round? Or just federal government speak for "you met the minimum criteria for now?"
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I think it just means we meet the minimum requirements to be reviewed as an applicant based on the questionnaire we completed!
 
TheOtherEcho said:
I also received it! I'm a little confused though - is this the same as "making it" through the first round? Or just federal government speak for "you met the minimum criteria for now?"
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In previous forums, they’ve said that the “tentatively eligible” doesn’t mean you’ve made it to the second round we have to wait until April
 
maciemishelle said:
I think it just means we meet the minimum requirements to be reviewed as an applicant based on the questionnaire we completed!
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arin_phstudent said:
In previous forums, they’ve said that the “tentatively eligible” doesn’t mean you’ve made it to the second round we have to wait until April
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Ahhh, I figured it was too early to be about the next round. But hey, I'll still take it!
 
I got it too! Let's keep our fingers crossed and our minds sane until April!
 
thegeekfreak said:
I'm a little concerned about the salary.

For any current or former PHAP people, how much did you struggle to pay bills? Especially if you are in California or New York (two of the most expensive states).
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I'm not a PHAP person, but I live in Philadelphia for work/my MPH and make slightly less than the minimum PHAP salary. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't tough (and frustrating when most of your friends make much more than you), but it is absolutely doable. Of course, the ways to cut financial corners will depend on the location - for example, I gave up my car since I don't need it anymore, and most of my friends live with roommates.

I can't speak much about whether or not the pay is worth it if you already make more than that, though. But I hope this helps a little.
 
Good luck to those applying this cycle! I applied during the 2017 cycle and didn't make it to the second round. I'm starting my MPH this fall and I'm definitely considering applying to PHAP in 2021 if it's still around by then. 😛
 
I was thinking of starting my personal statement early (hopeful, wishful, positive thinking!! ) so I can have my advisor read over it and help me polish it. Just curious, question for any current/past PHAPs, are there any prompts or requirements for the personal statement?
 
2018 PHAP here! I remember the personal statement wasn't that long. It basically asks why you want to be in this program. I wouldn't recommend starting now because who knows, they might change up the prompts. And they will give you time to work on it. Instead, I'd start looking into the kind of candidate CDC is looking for in a PHAP - aka the "BEST FIT" model. See if this truly fits you, and start thinking about experiences you've had that you can incorporate into your personal statement to highlight these qualities.

Also, I am so excited to see the 2019 thread! I agree with what another past PHAP mentioned before, this process is stressful and this program is not for everyone. Uprooting your entire life to a completely new environment requires a HUGE amount of flexibility, and to be honest, optimism. You need optimism and hope to get through the application cycle, because the odds never look like they're in your favor.

The pay is not luxurious. Remember, this is more geared towards people fresh to the public health world - you're not making 6 figures. But it's manageable, and will get you through the 2 years. I am placed in NYC, cost of living here is insane. Thankfully, there are income adjustments based on your location. I am still able to afford all my living expenses, and enjoy the city!
 
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Hi All! I'm also a 2018 PHAP with the Departamento de Salud in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I'd be happy to help answer any questions as well. I'm glad to see this forum is up and running. It seems like @Auctoritas and @Phap94 are killing it with their answers. This forum helped me immensely will be a great resource for all of you as you progress throughout the various rounds.
 
Reading on last year’s PHAP forum, it seemed like people started hearing back about the first round around this time. On the 2019 application timeline, it says we won’t hear back until April. Does anyone know if this is consistent with the timeline from last year or will we have to wait until April this year?
 

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PBH2018 said:
Reading on last year’s PHAP forum, it seemed like people started hearing back about the first round around this time. On the 2019 application timeline, it says we won’t hear back until April. Does anyone know if this is consistent with the timeline from last year or will we have to wait until April this year?
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Since the application window was a month delayed this year, I think we'll have to wait until April to hear back
 
PBH2018 said:
Reading on last year’s PHAP forum, it seemed like people started hearing back about the first round around this time. On the 2019 application timeline, it says we won’t hear back until April. Does anyone know if this is consistent with the timeline from last year or will we have to wait until April this year?
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The program's hope is by opening the application period in February, as opposed to January, applicants will hear back faster. I'm not sure when they're announcing next round decisions, but the 2019 cohort will wait less time than us before they found out decisions. It's supposed to make it easier for everyone involved.
 
HealthEducator92 said:
The program's hope is by opening the application period in February, as opposed to January, applicants will hear back faster. I'm not sure when they're announcing next round decisions, but the 2019 cohort will wait less time than us before they found out decisions. It's supposed to make it easier for everyone involved.
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Thank you! Best of luck to everyone applying this cycle as we wait to hear back about the first round 🙂
 
maciemishelle said:
You and me both! That being said, it’s only April 1, so there is plenty of time left of April to hear back!
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I’ve been refreshing my e-mail since I woke up this morning! Haha, it really is nerve-wracking. Plenty of time to hear back, though 🙂 best of luck to everyone!
 
svr14 said:
I’ve been refreshing my e-mail since I woke up this morning! Haha, it really is nerve-wracking. Plenty of time to hear back, though 🙂 best of luck to everyone!
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I am super anxious!!! I’m hoping that with the delayed schedule this time around, they’ll be ahead of schedule with this interview process and that we hear back much sooner!!! I’ve refreshed my email probably 10 times an hour hoping for SOMETHING.
 
Does anyone know when we should anticipate receiving emails this month for the next round?
 
epimajor123 said:
Does anyone know when we should anticipate receiving emails this month for the next round?
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I don't think anyone really knows since the timeline is different this year. Last year, people were posting on the forum that they were hearing back March 1st, however their application was open at the beginning of January while ours was open the beginning of February. I was hoping that the trend would be that we hear back right at the first of the month, but looks like that's not going to be the case. :laugh: Who knows, honestly?
 
This wait is actually killing me alive guys...Don't know if I'll have any sanity left if I have to wait until the end of April...
 
AggieGirl16 said:
2018 PHAP here. I understand this can be a grueling process but having patience is the best thing you can do for yourself. Our process took about 7 months. Best of luck to you all!
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Thank you for the reassurance. I think we’re just a little bugged out because we’ve looked at past posts and seen when people got their responses 😕 it is what it is, though! We’ll find out when we find out 🙂
 
Not sure? My email states that our personal statement and other information is due by 11:59 pm this Friday. We only have 2 days to complete it. My thoughts are that even if other emails go out today, people will still be given a 2 day period to complete the supplemental information. Also, from my personal experience with federal applications, you typically receive an email stating that you were not among best qualified for a position if you were rejected, and vice versa.
 
vetepistudent said:
Not sure? My email states that our personal statement and other information is due by 11:59 pm this Friday. We only have 2 days to complete it. My thoughts are that even if other emails go out today, people will still be given a 2 day period to complete the supplemental information. Also, from my personal experience with federal applications, you typically receive an email stating that you were not among best qualified for a position if you were rejected, and vice versa.
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Friday at midnight?! Yeesh. I haven’t received an email yet but even for those who have, that’s a short window!
 
To those of you who have received an e-mail, has anything on your USA Jobs portal changed?
 
I received an email but the status of my application has not changed on the USAJobs portal.

I feel pretty lost and panicked about the personal statement! I am looking forward to someone chiming in with some tips or words of advice regarding the personal statement. I honestly thought we would have a week to complete the personal statement, not just a few days.
 
Hi guys! 2018 PHAP here. For your personal statements, I would Google multiple examples. I tied in a little of my personal history with why public health was my passion, and why I was pursuing PHAP. I also mentioned that the experience I would gain as a PHAP would help me achieve goals I set after the program is over, and how that experience aligned with my own personal and professional ones. Basically, find a way to make it personal to you. Why should the PHAP program consider you? Bring in your personal experiences that distinguish you from the other applicants. They want a strong, diverse set of applicants. Hopefully that helps!
 
Does anyone know if the emails regarding the personal statement are being sent out in batches? I haven't received any notice yet.
 
OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOOOOODDD I GOT IT YESTERDAY AND DIDNT EVEN NOTICE WTF AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
Guys this isn't fair I literally just saw the email today and I only have until friday to write the personal statement i'm panicking
 
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I just saw the email too!!! Super happy I got selected for the next phase, but feeling panicked about the deadline

Anyone know if it’s frowned upon to use acronyms in the personal statement (PHAP, CDC, etc)? I’m feeling quite anxious about the 750 word count limit and not sure what the proper protocol is.
 
I took one for the team and called the CDC PHAP office this morning! They said they will send an email whether you’re moving forward or not. I didn’t get to ask whether they send the personal statement emails in batches or not, but they were nice if anyone else wants to call and ask that!
 
aswampyteen said:
I took one for the team and called the CDC PHAP office this morning! They said they will send an email whether you’re moving forward or not. I didn’t get to ask whether they send the personal statement emails in batches or not, but they were nice if anyone else wants to call and ask that!
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Thank you!! I’m really tempted to because if it so happens I do move forward, I have my honors thesis defense next week and need to prepare for that as well. They should have given accepted applicants more time
 
aswampyteen said:
I took one for the team and called the CDC PHAP office this morning! They said they will send an email whether you’re moving forward or not. I didn’t get to ask whether they send the personal statement emails in batches or not, but they were nice if anyone else wants to call and ask that!
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Thank you!
 
TheOtherEcho said:
I'm not a PHAP person, but I live in Philadelphia for work/my MPH and make slightly less than the minimum PHAP salary. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't tough (and frustrating when most of your friends make much more than you), but it is absolutely doable. Of course, the ways to cut financial corners will depend on the location - for example, I gave up my car since I don't need it anymore, and most of my friends live with roommates.

I can't speak much about whether or not the pay is worth it if you already make more than that, though. But I hope this helps a little.
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