Applying for Epi MPH this Fall. Chances?

[Epi2013]

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Hi!

I'm currently in the process of applying to Epi MPH programs. I want to specialize in Infectious Diseases. Here is the list of places that I have chosen to apply: Boston U, Emory, Tulane, Yale, George Washington U, U Washington, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Columbia.

I'm wondering if anyone else that got in to some of those schools could tell me their credentials because right now I have a 3.3 GPA, got a 1220 on the GRE (680 Q, 540 V, 4.5 W) and although I have been fairly involved in volunteering, I have not been an officer in a club or had a job in Public Health. I do have 2 years of research experience, but it is with the same professor and is less scientific and more focused on looking at clinic records. Also, I was a biology major for 2 years so I have a few D's to show for that. I did have an internship, but it was required for graduation. I will be graduating in December. If anyone could give me any input that would be great! Thanks!

 

[ald]

You'll get in at least a couple of those schools, for sure. Just focus your attention on writing a good SOP that demonstrates an interest in PH. MPH programs aren't as numbers focused as a lot of other grad programs. Also, I know lots of people at Emory that have never worked in public health or had relevant research experience.

Good luck!

 

[Epi2013]

Thanks ald! Do you think I will be able to get into some of the better schools I'm applying to or only ones that are relatively unknown? I welcome others' responses as well.

 

[Epi2013]

bump

 

[JMM051]

None of the schools you mentioned would fall into the "unknown" category. While Florida and GA are relatively newer programs they're good programs in terms of providing a solid foundation in PH.

That said, what do you consider 'better'?

While Yale is a great school (obviously) it is not highly ranked by the outdated and overused US News and Report.

There are many ways to look it at...by 'perception' or by the 'rankings.'

Either way I think that just like ALD said you should get into most of the schools you apply to. The only programs that could give you some trouble would be UW Yale, and Columbia. Applying early helps as well. Good luck!

 

[Epi2013]

When I said better, I meant better in terms of the program that I want to apply to, my top 3 are probably Columbia, Tulane, and BU in that order. I have already started my applications and plan to have them completed by Halloween hoping that the criteria might be a little less strict at first. Are you a current MPH student JMM?

 

[ald]

"Better" is a tricky word. Any of the schools you listed will give you a solid foundation in PH. What matters is if the schools have: 1. the concentration you are interested in, 2. the opportunities to get experience in public health practice/research (depending on your focus), 3.*optional* faculty you are interested in working with. Of course, cost, living conditions, etc., should factor in your decision as well.

Looking at your top 3 schools, I would say that (without seeing your LORs, SOP, resume, etc.) you will probably get into BU, and maybe get into the other 2. Somewhere in these forums there's a PDF that has a listing of the acceptance rates for MPH programs. In general, they're pretty high..even 60-70% for some schools.

I still think you should apply to all the schools you are interested in, though. You never know what exactly the adcoms are looking for.

 

[Epi2013]

Thanks for your help ald and jmm! I'm really grateful. I know it's not the same as the admissions committee saying I'm in, but it's good enough for me at this point. Now to figure out how to pay for those programs if I get in.....🙂

 

[JMM051]

Epi- Yes I am. I'm a 1st year Behavioral Sciences and Health Education student at Emory.

 

[Epi2013]

Just out of curiosity JMM, what kind of stats did you have, since it is a program that I'm quite interested in. A friend of mine started in Global Health this year and only had a 980 on the GRE.

 

[JMM051]

I had a 650q 560v and a 2.95 GPA...pretty low GPA but I've been out of school for over 4 years and had some good ph experience.

I have a bunch of friends in GH...my roommate is actually GH specializing in Reproductive Health and Population Studies.

One of my courses this semester is a GH elective and I love it!

 

[Epi2013]

Well Congrats on getting in. I hope everything at Emory is great! My friend can't stop talking about how she gets to meet the guy that discovered HIV and the guy that helped eradicate smallpox and on and on.

 

[Deem23]

Well Congrats on getting in. I hope everything at Emory is great! My friend can't stop talking about how she gets to meet the guy that discovered HIV and the guy that helped eradicate smallpox and on and on.

I know some doctors in France who might have some beef with that HIV discovery claim.

But to your questions, if your heart is really in getting into Public Health there will be a space for you somewhere. Your stats are not by any means prohibitive enough to preclude you from as shot at any of those programs you listed.

Good Luck!

 

[Epi2013]

I love your post Deem, you're absolutely right! But of course, we can't let the French take credit for anything! 🙂

 

[ald]

If you haven't read And the Band Played On, you should. It's an amazing book, and will give you a new appreciation for public health. The movie is actually pretty good, too. Plus, it'll make you really excited if you ever get a chance to meet Jim Curran. We kind of think of him as a rockstar at Emory. 🙂

 

[Epi2013]

I've actually already seen the movie version of "And the Band Played On". I'm kind of a movie buff so although it doesn't have a very artsy appeal, I thought it was a pretty good representation of the HIV story.