Boston University?

[zjwah]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Has anyone else NOT heard from BU? I applied for the MS in Epi way back in November. I got the "Application Complete" email on Dec 13, but nothing after that. I've heard from every other school I applied to (9 of the 10) and I've already made my decision. I'm just a little miffed at BU for not even communicating anything with me. I realize they have until April 1st to let me know, but that's only two days away. As I'm not considering them, it's really just the principle of the thing. If I had been considering BU, I definitely wouldn't be going now.

Just wondering if I'm the only one still out there who's clueless. I thought about calling them, but as I don't really care I figured I wouldn't bother them. However, if I haven't heard anything by Friday I will call because I paid the application fee- the least they can do is let me know whether or nor I was accepted...

 

[mandyL]

Has anyone else NOT heard from BU? I applied for the MS in Epi way back in November. I got the "Application Complete" email on Dec 13, but nothing after that. I've heard from every other school I applied to (9 of the 10) and I've already made my decision. I'm just a little miffed at BU for not even communicating anything with me. I realize they have until April 1st to let me know, but that's only two days away. As I'm not considering them, it's really just the principle of the thing. If I had been considering BU, I definitely wouldn't be going now.

Just wondering if I'm the only one still out there who's clueless. I thought about calling them, but as I don't really care I figured I wouldn't bother them. However, if I haven't heard anything by Friday I will call because I paid the application fee- the least they can do is let me know whether or nor I was accepted...

zjwah, you're definitely not the only one! I applied very early and got the "application complete" email in early December. In that email, they said they hadn't finished reviewing the applications for spring admission. On Feb 28th, I emailed them to inquire for my admission decision, and two admission officers replied my email and said a decision would be reached in the near future and once it was ready, they could email a copy of decision letter to me. (I'm an international student from Asia, the postal service can be very slow sometimes.) But till now, I haven't heard anything from them. I didn't receive my decision letter via snail mail, nor did I receive an email regarding my admission decision. It's been a month. It seems that I have been totally forgotten. I'm not considering BU either, but I'd like to know what's going on. So I sent them an email yesterday, again. The last time I contacted them they replied my email pretty fast. Hope I could find out soon.

 

[aebmph2013]

I'm also waiting on BU. I called two or three weeks ago and was told a decision would be sent soon. Since I never heard back, I called yesterday and they said that I should receive something in the next few days. I asked them to email me to avoid any additional wait time the postal service may cause. Everyone I spoke to on the phone was very nice, they just weren't able to give me much information. It's a bit annoying to have to wait until the last minute, but like you all, it's probably not in the running for me, I just want to have a final decision from them.

 

[PortlandSquido]

Has anyone else NOT heard from BU? I applied for the MS in Epi way back in November. I got the "Application Complete" email on Dec 13, but nothing after that. I've heard from every other school I applied to (9 of the 10) and I've already made my decision. I'm just a little miffed at BU for not even communicating anything with me. If I had been considering BU, I definitely wouldn't be going now.

It seems like this year has definitely been atypical in terms of what BU is doing (see the BU additional form thread), so I guess it isn't any surprise that they are sitting on applications.

In February some applicants got a strangely worded request for more information in the form of an essay, and then this was later clarified down to a couple paragraphs, maybe because some applicants were offended that an essay was asked for so late in the game, or because other schools don't do this.

I would hazard a guess that they are still reading through essays. . . AND/OR . . . they haven't filled enough seats meaning that some applicants accepted at BU, then decided to go elsewhere? But if most other schools have made their final decision then maybe BU is still reading through the additional info forms.

Who knows? They've gone back on their word in terms of providing info when emailed by applicants, maybe because their admissions picture has changed somewhat this year, though I don't know why it would.

I don't know if BU is right for me because the MPH program seems to be more geared towards people who are working (helpful with high BU tuition/very high living expenses in Boston) and much less student friendly when compared to a lot of other programs.

If how they treat applicants foreshadows the treatment of their students, then maybe some applicants are getting cold feet and pulling their applications?

 

[swaffles]

This isn't specifically about BU about about the same situation I have with NYU. I applied months ago and they said they'll let me know in 10 days, max, from yesterday. That is pretty ridiculous to me. Just posting to say that it's not just BU that's like this with some applicants.

 

[UBUPS]

Given that so many people haven't even heard from BU yet, I kinda feel bad sitting on my acceptance letter, still trying to decide between here and some other schools. Guess I should make up my mind at some point soon, seeing as how I need to mail it out by April 15th.

 

[zjwah]

Well, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one!

And UBUPS, don't feel too bad. I've already gotten acceptances from great schools (Harvard, UW, Emory, UNC, UPitt...). It's merely just me wondering what the heck was up and feeling a little shocked for being treated this way.

 

[Tee7]

Still waiting on BU...why are they taking so long?? April 15th is just around the corner!

 

[mandyL]

For those who's still waiting for BU: you could email the admission office to check if a decision has been reached and ask for a copy of your decision letter. I just got an acceptance and a merit award.😀

 

[PortlandSquido]

I’m still hashing over BU as a possibility, should I be accepted, and I find that when I look at the facts, such as the high tuition, cost of living in Boston, non-top ten status, it would be hard for me to justify to myself as an adult decision! Nonetheless, plenty of people are smitten with BU after visiting, conversely, a good number of applicants have also been turned off by late requests, difficulties, apparently rude personalities or just got the chills after visiting.

I’m considering taking another year to work to help defray the cost of the education as I was a late applicant this cycle. I just keep coming back to the whole idea of an additional essay request, asking about fit at BU.

Is there a sorority mentality at BU?

While I don’t mind discussing my plans for a public health career, it seems a little weird that the school wants to know why applicants would fit in at BU. Sure, I guess it sounds reasonable from a certain administrative point of view, but it seems a little self-centered in that it sounds insecure and detracts from the purpose of public health schools: to serve others through the improvement of a population’s health. The BU request sounds a little too “snobbish” for a school, at least for the type of people I would like to work with.

It seems weird that some students get the royal treatment, while other well motivated students like that Peace Corps volunteer get a ridiculous run around. It makes me think that they try to put on a good show for some and others not so much. This inconsistency concerns me some.🙁

I am also not convinced that BU would help prepare me for my intended future field of study, International Health, rather than just provide a generic education at a ridiculously high price. There are a lot of other much better options in terms of International Health concentrations/focus that are cheaper, and I guess the main reason I am looking at BU is because I have some family in the area.

If I got the request for more info from BU I’m not sure how I would respond as how can I gauge how I would fit in at a school I haven’t matriculated at yet?😕

 

[2013MPH2013]

Hi,
I can understand how it would be frustrating if you haven't heard back yet. I feel fortunate that I heard back from the schools I applied to because it would be really hard wondering this late in the process. I assumed that all schools have a second waive of acceptances after the first group of people turned down their acceptances.

I saw the request for more information as unusual but it seemed like they might have wanted to weed out people who were really interested. Who knows? I struggled how to answer it but in the end, I wrote about something that had nothing to do with public health. Although, I had about 20 renditions until I finally just sent it. I'd be curious if anyone who submitted the additional paragraphs didn't get in and/or didn't receive merit scholarships.

I have found BU to be incredibly responsive. They've answered my numerous financial questions within a few hours. I don't think it has anything to do with me personally as I'm a pretty average applicant.

Nevertheless, it has been interesting to read how people's experiences vary by school and really by person. You would hope they don't treat different applicants differently based on what is on paper but it is always a risk.

Good luck!

 

[zjwah]

Just an update-

I actually did email the BU admissions office on Wednesday afternoon and I still have not heard from them. Along with that, the April 1st "deadline" to let me know was yesterday, and nothing in the mail either.

To be quite honest, they could give me a full ride and I would not accept their offer now. It may seem conceited, but I know I'm a qualified applicant (and based on my other acceptances, I feel that's justified) so I really don't understand what's going on.

Oh well...it seems to me that there is a bit of a "sorority mentality" going on at BU.

 

[PortlandSquido]

Just an update-

I actually did email the BU admissions office on Wednesday afternoon and I still have not heard from them. Along with that, the April 1st "deadline" to let me know was yesterday, and nothing in the mail either.

To be quite honest, they could give me a full ride and I would not accept their offer now. It may seem conceited, but I know I'm a qualified applicant . . .

I don't think that the strength of the application is necessarily what causes BU to give some applicants the cold shoulder. In fact, I know some very well qualified students that didn't get into BU, schools like BU that aren't in the top tier will often reject very good applicants because there is the concern that they will go somewhere else anyway.

In a way, not getting a reply/acceptance could be an acknowledgement that your a really solid student that wouldn't go to BU, or if you are a student then they might think you couldn't afford the school anyway.

I see that you got acceptances at Harvard, UNC, and Emory! Congrats, these truly are great schools. Maybe BU knows this somehow, either indirectly via your application or someway else?

The way I look at it, is that every applicant deserves to have timely notification concerning their application, as well as the opportunity to write the additional essay should he or she choose to do so. (This isn't being conceited or entitled as an applicant, it is just what the average applicant would expect of the schools he or she applies to!)

If BU treats their applicants like this all the time then word would filter back to them eventually I guess.

Most applicants know that the whole process can be a cattle call, but at BU the process can be impersonal and with little regard for the applicants. I kinda get the feeling that they could do a more professional job with the application process, but that they have little incentive to change.

 

[zjwah]

PortlandSquido- Thanks, you made a good point that they may have not considered me because they thought I'd do fine at other schools- hadn't thought of it that way. I didn't specifically mention what other schools I was applying to, but maybe they found out some way or other...

I feel a little better that I'm not the only applicant who feels this way, but what does that really say about the school in general?

Oh well, it's off to Emory for me anyway! 😀

 

[zjwah]

Another update...

Since I still hadn't heard from the admissions department through email, I just called them this morning. According to the woman I spoke with, decisions specific to my degree program (MS in Epi) have not been released. She said the department needed "more time" for those decisions and she didn't know when they would have them. I asked if she knew whether or not they would be available before April 15th, and she didn't know.

She acknowledged that it had to be frustrating for those of us still waiting to hear (especially given the upcoming April 15th deadline and the fact that we were supposed to hear by April 1st). She told me to call back and check at the end of the week if I still hadn't heard anything.

I personally find it unprofessional of the department to decide they need "more time" to make the decision without notifying the applicants who are still waiting. A mass email sent out to the applicants explaining that decision or just merely stating that they wouldn't know until after April 1st would have been acceptable. But to just let us sit here and wait and wonder and leave it up to the poor admissions staff to deliver that news to us? Unacceptable.

 

[TurkishDelight]

I think there might be serious discrepancies between departments - I applied to International Health MPH and was accepted with a $12000 Merit Award, as an international student, none of the other schools I've been accepted to have offered me any money at all so I'm kind of in love with BU at the moment.

(Accepted: Emory Global Health, Tulane GHSD, GWU Global Health Policy, Drexel Epi, Texas Epi)

 

[PortlandSquido]

Another update...

Since I still hadn't heard from the admissions department through email, I just called them this morning. According to the woman I spoke with, decisions specific to my degree program (MS in Epi) have not been released. She said the department needed "more time" for those decisions and she didn't know when they would have them. I asked if she knew whether or not they would be available before April 15th, and she didn't know.

She acknowledged that it had to be frustrating for those of us still waiting to hear (especially given the upcoming April 15th deadline and the fact that we were supposed to hear by April 1st). She told me to call back and check at the end of the week if I still hadn't heard anything.

I personally find it unprofessional of the department to decide they need "more time" to make the decision without notifying the applicants who are still waiting. A mass email sent out to the applicants explaining that decision or just merely stating that they wouldn't know until after April 1st would have been acceptable. But to just let us sit here and wait and wonder and leave it up to the poor admissions staff to deliver that news to us? Unacceptable.

That's interesting as you would think that most departments/schools would have a rolling admissions thing going on, such that they admit a certain number, and once some people decline they move on to the next round. I would be surprised if nobody was admitted to MS in Epi track at this point, unless they are going to go past the April 25 deadline. Very strange that one department would supposedly be that far behind in applications.

It does sound unprofessional that they haven't sent out a mass email, something which is pretty easy to do. I think they haven't because they are slowly admitting some and holding others on ice.

Anyway, be glad that you got into top notch programs like Emory, Harvard, UNC, those programs are much more legit than BU in terms of a great reputation, though it doesn't leave a great taste in the mouth if you are disrespected as an applicant, don't let it negatively influence your career decision and realize that for you getting a timely and definitive answer from BU isn't super important at this point.

Maybe BU will try to improve things next year?

 

[whatofit]

I'm so confused by the negative feedback and responses about BU. Granted, it took some time to hear back from them, but overall I've had a great experience via communication and on my visit. I've accepted to go there and on scholarship, but am KNOWN for worrying about the decisions I've made and am again considering GWU as a more viable option. I am just worried about the cost of living in Boston and with two dogs (moving from Colorado where having dogs is insanely simple). Anyone heard much about GWU?

Hope BU gets back to you all soon and the experience is positive🙂

 

[clibby]

The reason some of you haven't heard back despite applying in November is that they do not even begin to look at Fall 2011 applications until February 1st. During November, they are still looking at spring applicants.

The thing with BU is that they are really concerned with whether you really want to go to BU and whether your career goals will fit with the program. If you didn't write an essay that showed that you did your research and have a genuine interest in BU for particular reasons, then they will be weary of your intent. They wont accept students just because their numbers are good. They have also been seeing their application numbers skyrocket in recent years, so they can afford to be more selective. You need to prove to them your desire to be a public health professional and what you hope to gain from BU in particular.

BTW, anyone else apply to the HPM program? I heard back last week.

 

[daZ3d]

The thing with BU is that they are really concerned with whether you really want to go to BU and whether your career goals will fit with the program. If you didn't write an essay that showed that you did your research and have a genuine interest in BU for particular reasons, then they will be weary of your intent. They wont accept students just because their numbers are good. They have also been seeing their application numbers skyrocket in recent years, so they can afford to be more selective. You need to prove to them your desire to be a public health professional and what you hope to gain from BU in particular.

BTW, anyone else apply to the HPM program? I heard back last week.

This seems especially true with a few members on here receiving an email from BU requesting an additional personal statement/essay.

I also applied for the HPM program and was accepted back in February.

 

[pinkyellow]

Yeah, like the above commenter, i'm also confused at some of the negativity about the reputable BU program because as per my experience so far, they have replied to my questions quickly and efficiently whether it be mail or by phone.

not trying to be picky but when I read commenters saying other schools are more "legit" then bu because it is not "top 10" (woahh.. it's 11) I seriously wonder what their definition of "legit" is...


All programs have their pros and cons, ranking isn't everything! 🙂

For my example, I'm choosing BU (ranked 11) over Emory (6)

No doubt Emory is an amazing school! but BU just suits my liking better. Aside from my preference in their program structure) 1. I like the environment 2. I've been able to contact their staff efficiently 3. I had a great experience at their admit day.

We don't see people posting about how yale is an "non-legit" program because its ranked after BU.

Anyway, hopefully my insight can give some "opposing views" to the criticisms i've seen on this board about BU 🙂

 

[Emilosh2011]

I hear you, pinkyellow. I am almost definitely going to BU despite the fact that I got into Columbia, which is "ranked" higher (which basically means a bunch of public health school deans rate the other schools based on...?) and I already live in NYC to boot. But to my surprise, BU just felt like a better match. I was really excited after accepted students' day at BU, and felt decidedly "meh" after Columbia's. I also wasn't accepted into my first choice of tracks at Columbia and am not confident I can count on changing, whereas at BU I can study what I'm passionate about, and it's easy to change your concentration there if you do change your mind!

So, it all boils down to two main schools of thought: the bottom line, and the quality of the experience. Does Columbia have the ivy league/New York City advantage? Yes. Will it be easier to get a job here in NYC with a degree from there than from BU? Likely. Am I butterflies-in-stomach excited to go there? Nope. I've been out of school too long and am too excited to immerse myself in studying what really interests me to be that pragmatic. I know it's only two years, but if I'm going to spend tens of thousands of dollars, I want to feel excited about it! Besides, I've gotten more positive/helpful feedback from BU's alumni, profs, and both admissions and financial aid offices than I did from anyone at Columbia.

If there's one thing I've learned during my extremely roller-coaster, crazytown 20's (I know I'm not exactly a wise old sage, just my dos cents), it's that if you've done the work to learn as much as you can to make the most informed decision possible and you're still agonizing, go with your gut. It's usually right.

 

[Zoonosinoid]

I hear you, pinkyellow. I am almost definitely going to BU despite the fact that I got into Columbia,. . .

People have all sorts of interesting experiences applying to different schools, and doing your homework certainly helps. I totally respect somebody going somewhere where they can get to do the concentration that they want, and take the courses that they want. I guess I'm just surprised that Columbia didn't get you excited/have the courses that you wanted?

Why is Columbia ranked higher? Columbia does have a stellar reputation in a lot of areas, and they do a lot of public health research so they are the big time in academic circles. I wonder if full time faculty number will become important in years to come, Columbia has 320 and BU has like 160, so you have more a chance to make a special connection in terms of research. But like I said, if you can't get to do the track that you want then go somewhere else that excites, that is important in terms of getting a job in that you will have passion for what you do.

 

[zjwah]

For those of you who applied to the MS Epi program at BU, the decisions went out at the end of last week. I just called the school and was told my decision was in the mail. I didn't ask if she knew my decision, I was just happy that I would be hearing something soon.

In response to all the above posters who had positive experiences with BU, I'm glad some people did! I honestly just think it depends on the person, and that one person's bad experience or good experience with a school doesn't make the school necessarily bad or good as a whole.

I was just venting my frustration and trying to see if anyone else was in my boat or had any helpful information. My personal experience with them just left me with a bad taste in my mouth and after other positive experiences at other schools, I felt I should look somewhere else. Decision making is a crazy process!

Anyway, good luck to everyone no matter where you end up going!