Anyone else have this problem? UNC vs. JHU MHA program

[PhilaTwoThree]

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Decision day is coming up in less than a week and I'm still having trouble deciding which school to attend. Did anyone else apply to these two schools and had to choose between the two? What factors were important to you and why was it important?

The two programs are night and day compared to each other with both having their strengths. After talking with some of the JHU faculty and students, it seems like they prepare you well for a job in your field placement and career afterwards. Career is very important, but it cannot be the only factor in making a decision to determine fit. This is where UNC's strengths come in being located on a college campus and in the nice town of Chapel Hill.

Does anyone have experience with UNC's job placement and career development after graduation? If I could essentially get the same job opportunities, specifically consulting, at UNC as I could at Hopkins, then the decision becomes a lot easier.

On a related note, does anyone know why UNC is ranked 3 by USNews and Hopkins 11? I know the methodology is done through surveys but do these rankings actually reflect the reputation and value of each program? What is it specifically about JHU that causes it to be ranked so low using the methodology of USNews?

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[waystinthyme]

i'm assuming you'll be in the HPM department? if so, then UNC has an excellent program. I'll be starting in the HPM department in the fall. i didn't apply to hopkins, but here are some reasons i'd choose UNC over hopkins.

1) costs

UNC is a much better value, especially for in-state applicants. out-of-state applicants are also able to apply for in-state residency for their second year, which makes the cost significantly lower.

2) length of program

i think hopkins 11 month curriculum is too short for a graduate degree. sure, i want to get a degree to advance my job opportunities, but i also want to learn. i don't think 11 months, with 18-20 credit hour 3 month terms is the best way for me to learn.

3) curriculum

with the short program at hopkins, there isn't much room to take electives and other courses that interest you. UNC offers the flexibility to take courses across the school of public health, as well as a number of elective courses in a variety of different areas. there are also opportunities to concentrate in areas like finance, quality improvement, health disparities, etc.

3) location--chapel hill >>> baltimore

i like the safety of chapel hill, the college town feel, the balance of academics and athletics, the huge healthcare system in NC (forsyth, chapel hill, duke, duke raleigh, wake forest, wake med, etc.) and the low costs

4) rankings/reputation

obviously hopkins is well respected in the public health community, but UNC is very well known for their HPM program (although the school of public health is also ranked #2 overall, right behind hopkins). brand name matters, and a degree from UNC will bode well in the job market.

the only school i would choose over UNC for HPM is Michigan...and i didn't apply there because of the location, horrible weather, and costs for out-of-state applicants. their program is excellent, but not worth tredging to class in 3 feet of snow all winter. i don't think i'd be happy in that environment.

in terms of a good education, value, and a great location...i think UNC is the best program for HPM.

your job market and career placement will be based on the connections you make while in school and your ability to network, no matter where you go. UNC has a good professional/career development department, that tries to help applicants find jobs in any way they can...in addition, there are a number of professional clubs (ACHE, MGMA, etc.), opportunities to participate in case competitions, job fairs, and career days throughout the year. there is also a required internship the summer between your first and second year, which leads to job opportunities for many students.

it sounds like you're already leaning towards UNC...what specifically did you like about hopkins besides the 9 month field placement? you can also PM me if you want.

-waystinthyme

 

[RAMPA]

I'll add my thoughts to this thread too, although at the end it came down between UCLA and Hopkins

i'm assuming you'll be in the HPM department? if so, then UNC has an excellent program. I'll be starting in the HPM department in the fall. i didn't apply to hopkins, but here are some reasons i'd choose UNC over hopkins.

1) costs

UNC is a much better value, especially for in-state applicants. out-of-state applicants are also able to apply for in-state residency for their second year, which makes the cost significantly lower.

Pretty much the same at UCLA. Cost was a big factor for me as I knew both programs would prepare me to enter health administration or consulting

2) length of program

i think hopkins 11 month curriculum is too short for a graduate degree. sure, i want to get a degree to advance my job opportunities, but i also want to learn. i don't think 11 months, with 18-20 credit hour 3 month terms is the best way for me to learn.

It's actually 9 months and the field placement is 11months. I was a bit concerned about this as well as I have been out of school for 3 yrs now, so I wanted to ease back into "study mode"

3) curriculum

with the short program at hopkins, there isn't much room to take electives and other courses that interest you. UNC offers the flexibility to take courses across the school of public health, as well as a number of elective courses in a variety of different areas. there are also opportunities to concentrate in areas like finance, quality improvement, health disparities, etc.

I completely agree with you here and this is what "un-sold" me on Hopkins. There are actually NO electives available as a MHA student at JHU. UCLA offered me tons of electives within the HPM dept, SPH, Anderson, school of policy, etc. Another thing to consider is the opportunity to participate in research, which is hardly doable at JHU in the MHA program as you are shipped out after only 9 months.

3) location--chapel hill >>> baltimore

i like the safety of chapel hill, the college town feel, the balance of academics and athletics, the huge healthcare system in NC (forsyth, chapel hill, duke, duke raleigh, wake forest, wake med, etc.) and the low costs

4) rankings/reputation

obviously hopkins is well respected in the public health community, but UNC is very well known for their HPM program (although the school of public health is also ranked #2 overall, right behind hopkins). brand name matters, and a degree from UNC will bode well in the job market.

the only school i would choose over UNC for HPM is Michigan...and i didn't apply there because of the location, horrible weather, and costs for out-of-state applicants. their program is excellent, but not worth tredging to class in 3 feet of snow all winter. i don't think i'd be happy in that environment.

in terms of a good education, value, and a great location...i think UNC is the best program for HPM.

your job market and career placement will be based on the connections you make while in school and your ability to network, no matter where you go. UNC has a good professional/career development department, that tries to help applicants find jobs in any way they can...in addition, there are a number of professional clubs (ACHE, MGMA, etc.), opportunities to participate in case competitions, job fairs, and career days throughout the year. there is also a required internship the summer between your first and second year, which leads to job opportunities for many students.

PhilaTwoThree you should contact career services or the HPM department and perhaps you can get a list of where recent graduates have obtained employment or you can search through linkedin

it sounds like you're already leaning towards UNC...what specifically did you like about hopkins besides the 9 month field placement? you can also PM me if you want.

-waystinthyme

The plus about JHU is that you graduate with nearly a year of real work experience and if you are completely certain of what you want you can't go wrong. Once I made campus visits I realized I wanted to explore other areas while in grad school. If I had no interest in elective courses or research then I'd definitely go with Hopkins. I've been in contact with a current student doing the field placement and all I hear is great things about the program.

Good luck on your decision

 

[PhilaTwoThree]

I have been working for a few years and want to head back to campus and ease back into things on campus and take electives, especially at the Keenan business school.

I think the strength of Hopkins is their 11 month placement and works especially well for those who know exactly what they want to do and want to work continuously at school for that first year of classes before heading to their field placement which is essentially just starting your career a year early. This is their strength and they seem to market themselves and attract students who are that way. This curriculum and style is something I can manage and even thrive at, but I'm not sure if it is what I want for the next 2 years going onto a career. However, the allure of a shot at a great job during the residency and afterwards might be too much to pass up. Their brand name and international recognition certainly doesn't hurt.

As far as costs go, Hopkins costs would actually be cheaper if you factor in your income in that residency year. While tuition over 2 years maybe $75K, you can make that much in your residency to pay that tuition back equating a net tuition cost of $0. UNC would be $25K out of state first year, and hopefully $0 2nd year with a TA ship and in state residency (both of which are not guaranteed) so the total tuition cost after 2 years is $25K.

UNC might be the better all around choice for lifestyle, electives, program rank, and the program as a whole. But JHU has that paying residency, international brand name, and a very good shot at a pretty decent job afterwards.

I do appreciate everyone's comments and their thought process. It helps to see what factors other people place their emphasis on.

 

[waystinthyme]

As far as costs go, Hopkins costs would actually be cheaper if you factor in your income in that residency year. While tuition over 2 years maybe $75K, you can make that much in your residency to pay that tuition back equating a net tuition cost of $0. UNC would be $25K out of state first year, and hopefully $0 2nd year with a TA ship and in state residency (both of which are not guaranteed) so the total tuition cost after 2 years is $25K.

i understand your consideration of the earning potential during your 11-month field placement at hopkins, but disagree with your evaluation/comparison of costs. just like the in-state tution and TA position isn't guaranteed at UNC, neither is a 75k salary during your practicum at hopkins. may i ask where you found your salary figures?

here is another thread i found, which may provide some useful info about hopkins: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=613239

-waystinthyme

 

[PhilaTwoThree]

It was through my experiences talking with the students who are currently enrolled at JHU now. I know which field I want to go to; consulting, and so I talked with all those who got placed into consulting residency's. I have 4 years work experience with a strong finance background and it seems like healthcare consulting compensation is based a lot on experience. Just from talking to those who are placed in consulting residency's with 3 different firms and knowing each of their work experience, I am fairly confident (but not 100% assuming) that I can make at least 75K. I don't want to sound arrogant, but this is just the experience that I've come across while researching the schools. I just know what field I want to be in, and which companies to target for a job after graduation. With Hopkins, there is a good chance I can pursue that. If a lot of the graduates at UNC pursue a similar career track and have similar numbers, then I think a decision could be easily reached.

Thanks for the other link. There's a lot of good information there.

i understand your consideration of the earning potential during your 11-month field placement at hopkins, but disagree with your evaluation/comparison of costs. just like the in-state tution and TA position isn't guaranteed at UNC, neither is a 75k salary during your practicum at hopkins. may i ask where you found your salary figures?

here is another thread i found, which may provide some useful info about hopkins: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=613239

-waystinthyme

 

[Zoonosinoid]

On a related note, does anyone know why UNC is ranked 3 by USNews and Hopkins 11? I know the methodology is done through surveys but do these rankings actually reflect the reputation and value of each program? What is it specifically about JHU that causes it to be ranked so low using the methodology of USNews?

Thanks for all your responses.

Correct me if I am wrong, but UNC is now ranked #2 in the 2011 rankings (JHU is #1), UNC always ranks highly too. I think that both schools offer a great education and you will succeed if you are proactive in terms of networking and such.

 

[waystinthyme]

Correct me if I am wrong, but UNC is now ranked #2 in the 2011 rankings (JHU is #1), UNC always ranks highly too. I think that both schools offer a great education and you will succeed if you are proactive in terms of networking and such.

UNC is ranked #2 in Public Health and #3 in Healthcare Management; in the original post, he/she was referring to the Healthcare Management rankings.

Overall Public Health Rankings: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...-public-health-schools/public-health-rankings

Healthcare Management Rankings: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...health-schools/healthcare-management-rankings

-waystinthyme

 

[waystinthyme]

It was through my experiences talking with the students who are currently enrolled at JHU now.

fair enough...that's definetely a valid point, then.

i think input from current students is extremely important when making a decision about which school to attend, so it's great that you've gotten the opportunity to talk to a few students during this process.

-waystinthyme