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BU vs Dartmouth!
- Thread starter hoogirl
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Hi,
What drew you to Dartmouth's program? What are its strengths? What curriculum seems more interesting and what are your potential plans after your receive your MPH? Those are probably important things to think about when making a decision!
Good luck!
Jaya
What drew you to Dartmouth's program? What are its strengths? What curriculum seems more interesting and what are your potential plans after your receive your MPH? Those are probably important things to think about when making a decision!
Good luck!
Jaya
To be quite honest, I just applied for Dartmouth just because; I didn't really think I would get in, it was just simply on a whim; after I got into BU I was set on it after I declined GW, but then I got the letter from Dartmouth and now I am not so sure what I would like to do, the more I look into the dartmouth program it seems a bit more interesting than I thought
to Big Dog- exactly, I like the stuff they are doing, but I don't know if i am completely in LOVE with it, at BU i would be able to explore more options and get my thoughts to together
to Big Dog- exactly, I like the stuff they are doing, but I don't know if i am completely in LOVE with it, at BU i would be able to explore more options and get my thoughts to together
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Hello,
Congratulations on being accepted to both institutions! Here are few things to consider. While it is true that Dartmouth's program is unranked, this is only because Dartmouth does not have an autonomous school of public health. The program at Dartmouth is largely oriented to U.S. health care and instructing students who have a large potential to facilitate change within U.S. health care systems. They are very unconventional and very innovative, as evidenced by the recent creation of their Master of Health Care Delivery Science degree which is a joint program between the Dartmouth Institute of Health Care Policy and Clinical Practice and the top ranked Tuck School of Business. According to Dartmouth's website, the current class profile is quite diverse with 28% minority enrollment and over half of the students being females. Further, the class is equally divided between practicing physicians, mid-career professionals and recent undergrads. If you like near instantaneous access to outdoor recreation, then Dartmouth is really worth considering. Finally, Dartmouth's program is only a year long, so if you are eager to established in your career then this is also a real consideration.
BU is a phenomenal program and has been a top ranked (USNWR) program for several years. It is very urban and there is a lot of research and related activities available in its sphere. Also, as you pointed out, it has concentrations where Dartmouth does not. As far as graduate education repuation goes, BU is probably stronger with the big exception of the Tuck School of Business. Dartmouth is typically known for it's world-class undergraduate education. Still, this more a function of their small size and rural location. You are probably going to feel more energy and make more professional connections at BU which is a very big factor to consider.
I wish you all the best with your decision! I am very envious as I applied to Dartmouth and it was the only school to which I applied (I got my application submitted on the last day of the application period so I have yet to hear - I expect to hear from them in a couple of weeks). Dartmouth was my sole choice as I'm the kind of person that loathes the city and am happiest when I am outdoors 🙂. Again, best of luck!
Respectfully,
Brian
...yet it does not have a separate school of PH.
Dartmouth offers a niche program and is one of the better ones for it. But D does not even offer classes in what would be considered a typical MPH program. Compare the curricular offerings with Harvard or Hopkins or North Carolina or Michigan. A Master's in Health Care Delivery Science is not an MPH.
btw: most PH schools are extremely diverse.
Dartmouth offers a niche program and is one of the better ones for it. But D does not even offer classes in what would be considered a typical MPH program. Compare the curricular offerings with Harvard or Hopkins or North Carolina or Michigan. A Master's in Health Care Delivery Science is not an MPH.
btw: most PH schools are extremely diverse.
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Not to nit-pick, but YSPH is technically a hybrid School/Dept-of-the-Med-School. It files as a school with CEPH, while Darmouth does not. I believe USNWR only ranks schools-- there are no "departments" listed in the rankings... but USNWR is unclear on their meths site.
http://www.usnews.com/education/bes...s/2011/03/14/health-rankings-methodology-2012
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Hey Big Dog,
I disagree with your thoughts on Yale. The Yale School of Public Health is both independent of but connected to the Yale School of Medicine. It was established as a seperate school nearly a century ago. USNWR certainly understands as a school of ph. Also, I never made the claim that a Master of Health Care Delivery Science was an MPH; rather, I was trying to demonstrate the progressive school of thought/atmosphere at Dartmouth. Nonetheless, thank you for your input!
Respectfully,
Brian
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Given your description alone, it seems like BU will be the best choice for you because it has an established program that you're interested. You indicated the Dartmouth Atlas and their health care plan, but do you know how exactly these resources would contribute to your interest in international health? The Dartmouth Atlas and their healthcare plans are mostly for improving the domestic health care policy and trends, which are totally different directions from your interest of international health. Just by glancing your description, Dartmouth's strength doesn't seem to be right on the target of your interest in international health. Each school has a set of strength that will be advertised no matter what and weakness that will not be mentioned at all unless current students become personal enough to share that with you over the phone or in person.
Boston and Hanover are pretty close geographically. They are about 3 hours apart by driving, and you could even take the Dartmouth coach directly to Hanover, NH (although, eventually, you will need a car to get around Hanover, once you get off the coach). You're investing lots of money, time and effort in doing a degree program that could open up many opportunities for you upon completing the degree. I think (1) it will be worth visiting both programs - I'd rent a car when you get into Logan, visit BU on Day 1 and visit Dartmouth on Day 2, talk to current students, meet with professors and tour facilities on both places; (2) Get a close look at the list of courses you will be taking at each school; (3) pay attention to how happy students remain with the job search process during the program and how willing each of the program is in helping students with job search and providing with effective resources to roll out your career in your chosen field of public health.
