AmeriCorps and MPH

[lordchrono]

So as decision deadlines are coming up for many schools and programs, I've been looking at all my options for the schools I've been accepted to and their funding. I was accepted to UCLA, UMinn, SDSU and a small University in Omaha (near my undergrad university). I haven't really received much scholarship money to finance an MPH education so I've accepted that funding from loans will be a reality. I've noticed on the forums that a lot of people have experience in AmeriCorps and I know there are a lot of general benefits to having that experience. I've been toying around with the idea of applying for AmeriCorp, but at the same time I really would like to enroll my MPH in Environmental Health in the fall. So my question for anyone who can help is that do you know of anyone who has done AmeriCorp while in grad school or have done it after grad school? While my MPH program is focused on EHS and I will have the opportunity for a practicum and community experience, I've volunteered w/AmeriCorp members in the past and noticed a lot of their work is in public health and emergency/disaster preparedness and thought their training was pretty useful. Another way of putting it, do you think it would be a waste of time working with AmeriCorp during or after MPH degree when I should just be focused on completing MPH and finding a full-time job? Thanks and sorry for the long post 🙂

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[CatNoise]

Heya. If you're already in at a handful of public schools and aren't opposed to deferring for a year, I would guardedly recommend Americorps. Working for a year in CA if you decide on UCLA will net you a substantial discount with in-state tuition, and some schools (at least, Emory) will match the $5k you get when you finish. Most schools will let you defer for a year.

 

[jscher]

If you are hoping to use the Americorps Education award to pay for your expenses keep in mind that you have to finish your year of service before you can utilize it (either to pay education expenses or apply it to existing loans). Most Americorps positions are full-time and some such as the VISTA program do not allow you to work outside of your service. You'll have to decide if you can manage both full-time commitments at the same time. I think the experience is super valuable (my old roommate did 2 years with Americorps and loved it) but you could also seek internships and part-time work for experience while you're in school.

 

[lordchrono]

jscher and catnoise, I appreciate your responses. Deferment is something I've also been thinking about as well, I'm not sure if UCLA will let me since I couldn't find anything about it on the site so I'll have to ask. When you guys were doing Americorps, was your stipend enough to afford you a place to live or did you have to come up with the funds to cover housing? Can you also tell me what's the main difference between VISTA and NCCC? Lastly, are you guys applying to MPH programs right now or attending grad school?

 

[jscher]

jscher and catnoise, I appreciate your responses. Deferment is something I've also been thinking about as well, I'm not sure if UCLA will let me since I couldn't find anything about it on the site so I'll have to ask. When you guys were doing Americorps, was your stipend enough to afford you a place to live or did you have to come up with the funds to cover housing? Can you also tell me what's the main difference between VISTA and NCCC? Lastly, are you guys applying to MPH programs right now or attending grad school?

UCLA's SPH states in their prospective student FAQ that they do not allow deferment. You must apply and be readmitted if you wish to attend a different year (I'm not sure if they grant exceptions).

I haven't done Americorps (I considered serving when I finished undergrad but found a job before I secured a service position), but I've had friends who served and a roommate who completed 2 years. The stipend you receive is less than the poverty line (my roommate made maybe $800 per month). I'm not sure if this is adjusted based on geography, but I currently live in MN. She was able to qualify for food assistance (which was about $200) so she was able to make it work but budgeting very carefully.

I'm not sure what the difference is between VISTA and NCCC. They have pretty good summaries on their website at http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/index.asp.

I'm in the current application cycle for Fall 2013 in healthcare management programs and am just trying to decide where to attend (I've gotten into most of the programs I applied to).

 

[lordchrono]

Jscher thanks for finding that out for me! Your information has been helpful, I will have to keep ucla's policy in mind if I if apply for AmeriCorps. Good luck on deciding which program to attend for the fall!

 

[SouthernDoc2Be]

Hi! I'm looking for some info on Americorps NCCC program. I live in Mississippi and they recently added Vicksburg as a site. Although it's not exactly "close" to me, it's in my state so I could make things work. My main question is that the NCCC program lists a wide variety of service projects (disaster relief, health, youth development, etc). Is there a point in the application cycle where you indicate your preferences? Personally, I am looking for health related efforts versus tutoring or disaster relief.

FYI: I did my undergrad at Tulane and will have a graduate degree from Mississippi College by 8/14..doing this to fill my gap year as I apply to med school.

 

[Emma1600]

Hi! I'm looking for some info on Americorps NCCC program. I live in Mississippi and they recently added Vicksburg as a site. Although it's not exactly "close" to me, it's in my state so I could make things work. My main question is that the NCCC program lists a wide variety of service projects (disaster relief, health, youth development, etc). Is there a point in the application cycle where you indicate your preferences? Personally, I am looking for health related efforts versus tutoring or disaster relief.

FYI: I did my undergrad at Tulane and will have a graduate degree from Mississippi College by 8/14..doing this to fill my gap year as I apply to med school.

I did 2 years of AmeriCorps in their Community HealthCorps program (which is a dual project with NACHC). I would definitely recommend looking up those sites. There are about 500 members working in teams of 10 or 15ish to upwards of 20 across the country. I believe it is the most healthcare-focused AmeriCorps NCCC program out there. If you have any specific questions about it, let me know!