Deciding where to go...

[drrayl]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am trying to decide between BU, UIC, and UT-Houston for HPM. I am having a really hard time deciding between these options.

BU: I received a $8k merit scholarship. Tuition and cost of living are still expensive. PAMP track is very attractive, as well as a multitude of job opportunities and networking in Boston. From what I have heard, Boston would be a great place to live for a couple of years.

UT: I received a scholarship for instate tuition plus $1k on top of that. The city of Houston is not very appealing at all , but the cost of the program as well as cost of living is very hard to dismiss. UT Health Sciences has a solid reputation, but I am concerned about networking and job opportunities after graduating (as I do not want to live in TX).

UIC: Program seems fairly solid. Appears to be a good amount of job opportunities and options for work-study (which decreases the cost of tuition enormously??). Chicago appears to be a great city to live in.

I was accepted to Emory and Ohio State as well, but they aren't that appealing to due various reasons (cost, location, strength of program, etc.). I know that Emory is a great school, but from what I have gathered on these forums is that it is not as strong in HPM. I am still waiting to hear back from from UCLA and U Florida as well...

Any opinions (good or bad) regarding these schools and/or programs? I am planning on going to school full-time. Long terms plans involve working for CRO or pharma. Any and all help is much appreciated!

I'm actually in the same position as you (although I'm between these 3 for epi).
Hopefully others will have insights. (I'm sure Stories will be able to answer this for me too!)
Thanks.

 

[Stories]

I'm actually in the same position as you (although I'm between these 3 for epi).
Hopefully others will have insights. (I'm sure Stories will be able to answer this for me too!)
Thanks.

I know nothing about the epi department at UT, so I can't say anything about that.

BU's epi is pretty large and far reaching. They are the directors of the Framingham cohort (known as the Framingham Heart Study). They have a lot of ties to the state and local health departments. You get a lot of freedom to pursue the coursework you want. Boston life is great (but not necessarily immediately around the medical campus).

UIC has a strong presence with local health departments. They have established research in the community and with interventions. I've never been to Chicago, but I hear that it's pretty great. Somewhat smaller-ish department than BU, so there's slightly fewer options in terms of courses, but people say generally positive things about it.

 

[Music333]

but heads up, I have met many UM SPH kids who are unhappy in their programs and too many have commented that their classes are irrelevant, boring, or have had trouble with their professors. Many think that you have to just regurtitate what they tell you in order to excel (people are very competitive!) and most of the time, this is what happens.

That's kind of depressing to hear. Any current students want to comment on this?

 

[shivk]

I am also interested in finding out more information on the value of MHS vs. MPH. I am debating between MHS at Hopkins for Environmental Health Science and an MPH at Emory in Global Environmental Health.

 

[Wiingy]

That's kind of depressing to hear. Any current students want to comment on this?

There are definitely some classes where this true, but there are also a lot of great courses taught by really dynamic professors. The general rule from my experience and talking to others (please don't apply this to all classes, there are exceptions) is that large, intro-level classes tend to focus on the big-picture, are not very detail-oriented, and move at the pace of the slowest 25% of the class. Tests vary greatly - some require creativity and critical thinking, others just make sure you did the readings/were awake in class.

Regarding the unhappiness/competitiveness, it all depends on your program. No-one in my program (Epidemiology) is very competitive, there are lots of study groups and people discuss assignments willingly. I've not met anyone who was unhappy with the program as a whole (individual courses and faculty are a different issue, but these issues pop up at every school). I'll be happy to answer anyone's specific questions through PM, but I'm not super comfortable getting into specifics on a public forum.

Hope this info helps.

 

[Wiingy]

Any input/opinions on UMich?

I've read on their website that if you do the MPH at UMich, then you can finish the PhD in 2.5-4 years...Is that really true? Will professors want someone for a PhD if they did their master's there?

How's the career services department? Do people find jobs mostly in-state or out-of-state?

From what I've heard about going on to a PhD after the MPH (I'm considering it), most peoples' experience is closer to 4 years. Some finish in 2.5, but finishing that quickly really depends on how quickly you can collect/analyze data of sufficient depth and quality for your dissertation.

 

[Stories]

From what I've heard about going on to a PhD after the MPH (I'm considering it), most peoples' experience is closer to 4 years. Some finish in 2.5, but finishing that quickly really depends on how quickly you can collect/analyze data of sufficient depth and quality for your dissertation.

2.5 is VERY optimistic. It can be done regardless of where you've done the master's, but getting a project setup that quickly which can get you data + manuscript written into a publishable format is not generally possible.

Wiingy is right here, about 4 years is on par for someone who does a masters at the same school (typically chops a year off the total time to PhD, which is generally between 5-5.5 years).

 

[309922]

anyone have suggestions on how i can adequately compare these three programs?
Hopkins MHS Intl Health
Harvard SM2 in Health Policy
Columbia MPH in Health Policy (Health care policy)
Thanks..

 

[concern]

Heard from all.
Acceptances: Emory, Yale (1yr), Columbia, BU ($8K-thanks), Pitts, Michigan,Texas ($1.5K), Tulane.
Rejections: 2, uh whateva.
Not expecting any decision changing scholarships.

I've almost decided on Columbia (1 yr -45 credit- General Pub Health) but again...I'd be paying a HELL lot (arranging for the amount first) and it just keeps coming to mind- will the course justify the costs? Plus, these people aren't even helpful. While most of the other unis seem so warm, welcoming, and eager to let you know about their program (especially EMORY) and send out emails from time to time...columbia is just cold. I'm an international applicant and won't be able to attend visit days of ANY uni.
I just hope Columbia's the right choice and that I'm making a good decision.

 

[vatxn]

waiting on MHS hopkins
currently deciding between
GW MPH Epi
UT MPH Epi (in-state)

Any insight on reputation, job opportunities, student life would be appreciated!

 

[Music333]

So I visited both, and got a better vibe from Emory--students seemed happier and faculty seemed more open. I'm a little worried it was all for show and UMich will be about $6100 cheaper...is $6100 extra in loans a huge deal in the long run?

 

[JMM051]

Have you tried an online loan calculator? It can help you figure out the difference in monthly payments with/without the extra 6100. It definitely helps to figure out if its a number you're comfortable with.

As for the "for show" part. I think all schools with a visit day definitely put their best foot forward. That said, I think that its pretty hard to fake a vibe, I think it would feel forced/fake. Who knows though...from all the people I spoke to at the visit day, most had definite feelings one way or another for all the schools they visited. Trust your instincts and what its telling you to go towards school wise.

Good luck!

 

[elisek110]

I need serious help! I am deciding between USF in fl (im an in state resident, so it's incredibly cheap), and BU.... there are many dilemmas.

USF: close to my friends/boyfriend/comfort zone. Sunny warm, cheap as heck to live. The school seems like a decent program, and they would allow me to double major in epi/biostats, even without the calc. prereqs. It's not as highly ranked, and I would feel like a fool for turning down an opportunity to live in Boston.

BU: Obviously, WAY more prestigious and also WAY more expensive to live. Networking and finding job placement would be a lot better (I imagine). It would be great for a change, but am terrified to move out of Fl. They seem to have a lot more opportunities for places to volunteer/intern/work, etc. And many more people with similar interests as me...

One HUGE factor is that USF starts in May, and BU starts in august... i have an idea of starting at USF for the summer, and seeing how I feel about it. If I feel unhappy and unfulfilled, I will begin at BU. Is that a reasonable thing to do, or do you all think it is a little rediculous? Keep in mind I have nothing to do right now, so i'd love to start school ASAP.... I appreciate any advice or suggestions SO much, as this is all I can think about. Thanks!

 

[curious14]

I need serious help! I am deciding between USF in fl (im an in state resident, so it's incredibly cheap), and BU.... there are many dilemmas.

USF: close to my friends/boyfriend/comfort zone. Sunny warm, cheap as heck to live. The school seems like a decent program, and they would allow me to double major in epi/biostats, even without the calc. prereqs. It's not as highly ranked, and I would feel like a fool for turning down an opportunity to live in Boston.

BU: Obviously, WAY more prestigious and also WAY more expensive to live. Networking and finding job placement would be a lot better (I imagine). It would be great for a change, but am terrified to move out of Fl. They seem to have a lot more opportunities for places to volunteer/intern/work, etc. And many more people with similar interests as me...

One HUGE factor is that USF starts in May, and BU starts in august... i have an idea of starting at USF for the summer, and seeing how I feel about it. If I feel unhappy and unfulfilled, I will begin at BU. Is that a reasonable thing to do, or do you all think it is a little rediculous? Keep in mind I have nothing to do right now, so i'd love to start school ASAP.... I appreciate any advice or suggestions SO much, as this is all I can think about. Thanks!

Edit: I see that you posted the same question in another thread and I answered LOL, but I still believe the same things so I'll leave what I wrote for posterity 🙂 I really wish you the best of luck. This is a tough (but great!) situation to be in.

Are you able to visit Boston and the school anytime soon? Or have you already visited?

I think you should see if you even like the school and also take the time to talk to current students and faculty. You can find out if the school suits your needs and if you are a good fit.

I say do the same for USF too!! School visits have been super important for me in the process.