Anyone else worried about $$?

[watereverywhere]

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After getting financial aid information from all the schools I've been accepted into, I'm more and more sure I'll be drowning in debt after all these loans. Anyone else in the same boat? The cost of attendance for all the schools I've been admitted into are about the same: Yale (CDE), Umich (Epid), BU, Hopkins (SBI), MIT

 

[xscpx]

I chose a much cheaper school with GAships to avoid that.

 

[jmatthews112]

check out this post and those that follow: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7888360&postcount=12

what you find may put your mind at ease - at least it did for me...

 

[honeysuckle]

Yes, I'm in the same boat. I've also been wondering how other people who are not getting much scholarship/fellowship funding and who are going to expensive schools are contemplating the prospect of owing all that money, and if they think it's worth it. I know I've been whining about this same topic in my last few posts but I'm very apprehensive about this. I am seriously considering going to one of the more expensive schools and I'm not sure if it's worth the money with the economy and job market being what it is these days. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness thing sounds like a perfect out, but that's assuming I could even find a job after I finish an MPH 😱. Unlike most other people here, I'm not doing epi or biostats, so I don't know much an expensive MPH in the least "marketable" of concentrations would "add up" for me in the end.

 

[MPHhopeful47]

I'm worried about money too. I'll be going to an in-state school either way, but in California, the cost of living is really high, so I'll still be looking at borrowing a good chunk of money. I'm also neither epi nor bio-stats, but rather more health promotion.

From what I understand, the MPH is a very marketable degree regardless of speciality (though epi/bio-stats do get paid more!). We have an impending lack of health professionals in this country so you should be able to get a job.

Another thought - if you are considering a private school, they may have more funding opportunities available to you than a public one. There are probably more privately endowed scholarships / fellowships and their TA / RA positions probably pay more.

I have a few more weeks to decide whether or not go back...

Yes, I'm in the same boat. I've also been wondering how other people who are not getting much scholarship/fellowship funding and who are going to expensive schools are contemplating the prospect of owing all that money, and if they think it's worth it. I know I've been whining about this same topic in my last few posts but I'm very apprehensive about this. I am seriously considering going to one of the more expensive schools and I'm not sure if it's worth the money with the economy and job market being what it is these days. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness thing sounds like a perfect out, but that's assuming I could even find a job after I finish an MPH 😱. Unlike most other people here, I'm not doing epi or biostats, so I don't know much an expensive MPH in the least "marketable" of concentrations would "add up" for me in the end.

 

[Stories]

I'm worried about money too. I'll be going to an in-state school either way, but in California, the cost of living is really high, so I'll still be looking at borrowing a good chunk of money. I'm also neither epi nor bio-stats, but rather more health promotion.

From what I understand, the MPH is a very marketable degree regardless of speciality (though epi/bio-stats do get paid more!). We have an impending lack of health professionals in this country so you should be able to get a job.

Another thought - if you are considering a private school, they may have more funding opportunities available to you than a public one. There are probably more privately endowed scholarships / fellowships and their TA / RA positions probably pay more.

I have a few more weeks to decide whether or not go back...

The job market is absolute bollocks right now.

I had 15 job interviews since June, and I got one offer (for a low paying job in New Mexico) where I would struggle to pay the bills.

I had 3 interviews for PhD programs, got into all 3. So I know it's not the interview skills that are the problem. It's a combination of way too many folks looking for jobs (people who have more experience than me willing to take pay cuts) and less funding out there.

I think it's a great time to go to school. But if you're balking at the cost, then don't go because it'll be bothering you everyday for the next two years if you're this apprehensive right now (if you're like me obsess over things like this).

 

[MPHhopeful47]

I think we all have to be hopeful that the job market will be better in 2011 or 2012 when we'll finish our degrees. (I'll be in school for 3 years for a dual MPH / MSW degree.)

When I went to college, things were challenging in the market in 1998. A couple of years later in 2000, classmates were receiving $20,000 signing bonuses. When I graduated in 2002, only 40% of my class had a job at graduation. In 2006, I was hired at my current job without even interviewing and received a 25% raise within 6 months (and another 30% within 8 months after that). This year the top tier of my company all took 10 to 30% pay cuts, and I applied to 10 jobs, got only one interview, who would only hire me if I was willing to keep my salary the same as it was now.

I imagine that there's a good chance we will all graduate into a good market.

Stories - you bring up a good point though. Those among us who are considering school should definitely be asking the questions - what are this year's graduates doing come May or June?