Decision between Yale and Columbia

[Elizamoon]

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Hello, I'm an international student. I've just been accepted by Columbia HPM (Effectiveness and Outcomes Research) and Yale Chronic Disease Epidemiology. It's really hard for me to make my decision since I've got little idea about the placement of international students in this area.

Does anyone else share the same situation with me? I'll really appreciate it if anyone could help give me some suggestion?😛

 

[Choklatcow]

What do you mean by 'international placement'?

I am an MPHer at Columbia in their Epi program. I took a course in the HPM program and it was really interesting -- I'd like to take another. While I don't know much about the Chronic Disease program at Yale, that school has a reputation for student centered-ness and small classes.

My experience at Columbia (again, in Epi) has so far been larger class sizes and not as much focused attention by professors.

BUT if you're later interested in international work, Columbia is a wonderful place to make these connections. Programs aside, NYC is one of the most international places in the world!

Are you interested in a career in research? Clinical...basic...? Most Epi programs are likely to have a significant background in research methods, even if the track name doesn't have 'research' like the HPM track. In other words, in that context, neither one may give you an edge over the other -- pick what interests you most!

Good luck!

 

[pharmaPH]

Hi Elizamoon, have you received any funding from columbia? i have been admitted to the same program at columbia as well but not sure how I can afford it...

 

[chicagogal]

Elizamoon, I'm in a similar boat- Sociomedical sciences @ Columbia (Health promotions), Chronic Disease Epi at Yale. I'd like to continue on to do a PhD, so I'm really interested in the availability of research opportunities available for MPH-ers at both schools. Anyone have any info or experience with this?

 

[klm7552]

I am trying to decide between Yale (CDE) and Columbia (Epi) too, the cost would be about the same but it seems that at Yale, while there might be research opportunities available, everyone (students and admins) keep stressing the fact that you will have no time for anything extracurricular, especially the first year! I think they use the internship during the summer to provide research opportunities?
Yale also said that about 25% of MPH students go on to an advance degree, but I don't know if that includes MDs.
Unfortunately, getting any information from Columbia has been a challenge. I am hoping the Open House will be more helpful!

 

[Elizamoon]

What do you mean by 'international placement'?

I am an MPHer at Columbia in their Epi program. I took a course in the HPM program and it was really interesting -- I'd like to take another. While I don't know much about the Chronic Disease program at Yale, that school has a reputation for student centered-ness and small classes.

My experience at Columbia (again, in Epi) has so far been larger class sizes and not as much focused attention by professors.

BUT if you're later interested in international work, Columbia is a wonderful place to make these connections. Programs aside, NYC is one of the most international places in the world!

Are you interested in a career in research? Clinical...basic...? Most Epi programs are likely to have a significant background in research methods, even if the track name doesn't have 'research' like the HPM track. In other words, in that context, neither one may give you an edge over the other -- pick what interests you most!

Good luck!

Thank you so much. It helps a lot. I had no idea that there is such significant difference between two programs.

By saying "placement of international students " , I mean where the international students usually go after graduate from school of public health?

 

[Elizamoon]

Hi Elizamoon, have you received any funding from columbia? i have been admitted to the same program at columbia as well but not sure how I can afford it...

None...

 

[bbas]

the cost would be about the same but it seems that at Yale, while there might be research opportunities available, everyone (students and admins) keep stressing the fact that you will have no time for anything extracurricular, especially the first year!

As a first year student in the program, I would disagree with that statement (although I was told the exact same thing coming in). Several of my classmates and I have part time jobs, and just about everyone I know is involved with at least one extracurricular. The workload is very manageable.