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[ameya4]

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Hi All,
I am repeating this post as a new thread.....😳as no one responded to this in the MHA fall 2012 applicants thread......😕
For the very first time I have decided to put my best foot forward on SDN. I have always been a staunch supporter & follower of SDN.
I have applied for the MHA program for fall 2012. I did apply quite in advance to stand a chance of at least my application being reviewed. Well you all might be wondering why so, it was because being an international student my GRE scores were very low (lower than the eligible mark) Already I had spent one whole year doing my homework on what next and after deciding further one year on MHA and its associates. So planned well for MHA fall 2012, and started my application way back in September 2011 as soon as SOPHAS was open.

Regarding my GRE, yes this was one part of my application I had a real problem . I am a dentist from India, so except for counting (particularly addition) the money notes, I am dangerously bad with math and as for as verbal is concerned GRE verbal SUCKS big time (the old version).So I just gave my GRE once and moved on with those score. I really dont understand how GRE will judge my calibre as doctor...

My other stats are as follows :
TOEFL - 97
GPA ( as per WES evaluation) - 3.64
2 years + work experience (and presently working )
8 months of research assistant experience
A paper I presented at a state level conference and was awarded as one of the best paper (from over 165 entries)
The above said paper in the process of publication.
A few(4) recognition awards for my services in dental public health.
Certificate in Tobacco Cessation (T.I.I. Specialist)
Active participation in voluantry and charitable activities
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
1. Indian Dental Association(IDA)
2. Tobacco Intervention Initiative (TII)

With this I applied to as many as 12 universities in US for the MHA program. The universities include:
1. Uni of North Carolina (M.H.A)
2. Uni of Alabama(M.S.H.A)
3.Virginia Common Wealth Uni (M.H.A)
4. Uni of Washington (M.H.A)
5.St.Louis Uni (M.H.A)
6.Ohio state Uni (M.H.A)
7 Tulane Uni(M.H.A)
8.Texas A&M Uni health science center (M.H.A)
9.Uni of Kansas medical center (M.H.S.A)
10. Uni of Oklahoma (M.H.A)
11. Uni of South Carolina (M.H.A)
12. Drexel Uni (M.P.H. in HPM)
Also planning to apply for Uni of texas at Brownsville for personal reasons.
Well so many application is only because of my low GRE score.
Already two rejections, i.e., UNC and Tulane🙁
Texas A&M phone interview on March 5th..............

all the very best to all the MHA aspirants out there.....👍

All comments and suggestions entertained............

thank you🙂

 

[Veggie Monster]

Good luck

 

[442797]

Awesome job on your accomplishments! I will suggest that if you don't get in this round to retake your GRE. Some of us took the GRE more than once, including myself, to get the best scores that we could get so we could attend our dream school. It seems a little unsettling and a bit arrogant that you wouldn't even consider retaking the GRE a second time. Do you think that you shouldn't because you are dentist?

You also mentioned that you were "dangerously bad with math and as for as verbal is concerned GRE verbal SUCKS big time". The degree you are trying to pursue is a management degree that deals with quantitative analysis and strong verbal skills. With this being you said, I'm sure you already know what you need to work on. I'm sure you are no stranger to hard work because you are a dentist! I do wish you the best of luck and think schools will definitely look at your experiences in the medical field. From your post I didn't think that you took this master degree seriously as some of us do. I'm sure you meant well but your post rubbed me the wrong way.

My $ .02

 

[ameya4]

Awesome job on your accomplishments! I will suggest that if you don't get in this round to retake your GRE. Some of us took the GRE more than once, including myself, to get the best scores that we could get so we could attend our dream school. It seems a little unsettling and a bit arrogant that you wouldn't even consider retaking the GRE a second time. Do you think that you shouldn't because you are dentist?

You also mentioned that you were "dangerously bad with math and as for as verbal is concerned GRE verbal SUCKS big time". The degree you are trying to pursue is a management degree that deals with quantitative analysis and strong verbal skills. With this being you said, I'm sure you already know what you need to work on. I'm sure you are no stranger to hard work because you are a dentist! I do wish you the best of luck and think schools will definitely look at your experiences in the medical field. From your post I didn't think that you took this master degree seriously as some of us do. I'm sure you meant well but your post rubbed me the wrong way.

My $ .02

Thank you dystopia for your comments.......I see what you mean....

Well I am sorry if at all I was rude anywhere in my post....The reason behind such comments was only because, I have given my GRE thrice and still ended up with the same scores all three times.....This actually put me into a frustration as to make me think that just because I am not good with these exams, am I not fit for this program????

YOUR COMMENT - " From your post I didn't think that you took this master degree seriously as some of us do. I'm sure you meant well but your post rubbed me the wrong way.".... I really didn't understand....... and just in case if you meant the I am not focused on this program.....I am sorry I have put my heart and soul into it.....the MHA has become my dream since my graduation..i.e., close to 2 yrs.....
I am sure and confident that I will persue this master progarm with great zeal and come out to make a difference at any cost.......👍

Again I am thankful to you and please keep you comments on......🙂

 

[Jamiefrances]

Thank you dystopia for your comments.......I see what you mean....

Well I am sorry if at all I was rude anywhere in my post....The reason behind such comments was only because, I have given my GRE thrice and still ended up with the same scores all three times.....This actually put me into a frustration as to make me think that just because I am not good with these exams, am I not fit for this program????

YOUR COMMENT - " From your post I didn't think that you took this master degree seriously as some of us do. I'm sure you meant well but your post rubbed me the wrong way.".... I really didn't understand....... and just in case if you meant the I am not focused on this program.....I am sorry I have put my heart and soul into it.....the MHA has become my dream since my graduation..i.e., close to 2 yrs.....
I am sure and confident that I will persue this master progarm with great zeal and come out to make a difference at any cost.......👍

Again I am thankful to you and please keep you comments on......🙂

I'm not sure how helpful this is, because I am a domestic student, and what helped me may not work the same for you, but I took the GRE without studying for the math, and being awful at math in general, and got an 1010. (I focused more on verbal, because I felt there was no hope for the math) I realized that that score was sub par, especially since I have a lower GPA, but could only retake a month later without missing any school deadlines, but with the books I used, I managed to go up to a 1270, which isn't fabulous, but is still an improvement.

So, if for some reason you decide to retake:
For the math, I used the Nova GRE book, and learned that a lot of the problems are easier than they seem, they want to see if you understand the shortcuts, or the ways to solve it without wasting all of your time on one problem, etc. The books that teach strategy in addition to fact are very important, in my opinion.

For the verbal, memorizing words and their definitions is the best advice I can really give.

With that being said, though, you may still get in this year, and not have to worry about the GRE again, as you have an interview, and it seems like you're still waiting on more schools still, so don't give up hope for this cycle, as you do have really good stats. Good luck!

 

[ameya4]

I'm not sure how helpful this is, because I am a domestic student, and what helped me may not work the same for you, but I took the GRE without studying for the math, and being awful at math in general, and got an 1010. (I focused more on verbal, because I felt there was no hope for the math) I realized that that score was sub par, especially since I have a lower GPA, but could only retake a month later without missing any school deadlines, but with the books I used, I managed to go up to a 1270, which isn't fabulous, but is still an improvement.

So, if for some reason you decide to retake:
For the math, I used the Nova GRE book, and learned that a lot of the problems are easier than they seem, they want to see if you understand the shortcuts, or the ways to solve it without wasting all of your time on one problem, etc. The books that teach strategy in addition to fact are very important, in my opinion.

For the verbal, memorizing words and their definitions is the best advice I can really give.

With that being said, though, you may still get in this year, and not have to worry about the GRE again, as you have an interview, and it seems like you're still waiting on more schools still, so don't give up hope for this cycle, as you do have really good stats. Good luck!

Hey thank you on sharing your insights on my threads Jamiefrances...........🙂

As you said hopefully I get into the program this cycle......

I will get back soon once my interview is done coming monday.

Thanks again

 

[Porcupine]

Hi All,
I am repeating this post as a new thread.....😳as no one responded to this in the MHA fall 2012 applicants thread......😕
For the very first time I have decided to put my best foot forward on SDN. I have always been a staunch supporter & follower of SDN.
....
all the very best to all the MHA aspirants out there.....👍

All comments and suggestions entertained............

thank you🙂
[/B]

I applied to MPH and I am not a dentist (I am international student though). I am not sure how my comments are helpful.

When I started my application, I knew that my profile was low (second upper, no award, poor English, nothing special). The fact that 10 out of my 10 job applications are rejected made me fell more desperate. However, I was so sure I want an MPH in the US that I decided to push up my profile by:
- Getting a high GRE score:
For verbal, I used anki.net instead of flashcard. You can try this software since it saves you the burden of preparing papers and writing words. I almost felt no pain when I studied verbal (even though my vocab is very poor).
For math, we Vietnamese studied math like hell at high school, so there was no problem for me.
I made sure to do a lot of practice tests and I believed it helped a lot 🙂
I ended up with 85% verbal and 97% math
- Preparing a solid SOP and I believed I did it. I focused on self-reflection, childhood experience and stories to convey my aspiration and motivations
- Preparing a professional curriculum vitae.

I admit that "luck" plays some part in our admission. I know some excellent people are rejected and some "ordinary people" get admission. So, keep your head up high and we will finger cross for your admission this cycle 🙂

 

[ameya4]

I applied to MPH and I am not a dentist (I am international student though). I am not sure how my comments are helpful.

When I started my application, I knew that my profile was low (second upper, no award, poor English, nothing special). The fact that 10 out of my 10 job applications are rejected made me fell more desperate. However, I was so sure I want an MPH in the US that I decided to push up my profile by:
- Getting a high GRE score:
For verbal, I used anki.net instead of flashcard. You can try this software since it saves you the burden of preparing papers and writing words. I almost felt no pain when I studied verbal (even though my vocab is very poor).
For math, we Vietnamese studied math like hell at high school, so there was no problem for me.
I made sure to do a lot of practice tests and I believed it helped a lot 🙂
I ended up with 85% verbal and 97% math
- Preparing a solid SOP and I believed I did it. I focused on self-reflection, childhood experience and stories to convey my aspiration and motivations
- Preparing a professional curriculum vitae.

I admit that "luck" plays some part in our admission. I know some excellent people are rejected and some "ordinary people" get admission. So, keep your head up high and we will finger cross for your admission this cycle 🙂

Thank you on your comments porcupine.......every comment is worth a try on SDN.👍

Well as you mentioned....I too have come across some excellent applications being rejected......all said and done LUCK has its role but not much....actually the applications are reviewed as a whole....so its important to have all or atleast most part of the application as competative as possible.😉👍
Hey I am impressed with your GRE performance...congrats.....

Also thanks a lot on your wishes and support.....🙂
Will keep you posted.......

 

[ameya4]

Hey guys I am back....I finished my phone interview yesterday with Texas A&M HSC......(my view in particular interview for international students)
Well as most of you said they ask a standard set of questions....but mind you, from the way they enquired and their inquisitiveness in me, seemed like they are really serious about what they ask and what you answer. The moment you metion something a bit simple and casual...there you are targeted and they try to elaborate on that and so on......So what I am try to tell you is that they are looking for an oppurtunity to fix you on a small unforced error and filter as much as possible...So, just have to be very conscious on what you tell and if at all you commit some error as i mentioned...be skilled enough to convince them in a way that they dont sense that you are doing that.....
So overall experience is good....They really start out well, so that you too fell comfortable to reply them and once you are fine the actual interview starts... So please dont take it for granted because it is not that laid back as you think.....instead be witty and alert.....the KEY to ace the interview....my personal opinion

 

[ameya4]

Hey guys I am back...and I am re-opening this thread.........😀
Waited all these days hoping for some replies by you.....but for some reason SDN has been partial on this thread.....😉
Ok I have decided to update my status as of now........

Rejections- UNC, UW, SLU, OSU, TULANE, DREXEL
Waiting - UAB, VCU, Oklahoma, TA&MHSC, KUMC, USCarolina

But my interview with TA&MHSC, KUMC in completed, and I am counting on their final decision......