demographics question, can't decide Tulane vs. GWU

[villasin31]

hey everyone,

I've been accepted to Tulane and GWU for MPH Epidemiology and can't really decide at all yet, although I'm leaning towards Tulane because I feel like it will be a great experience with the completely different environment (I've been in Southern California all my life, finishing up undergrad at UCSD right now). Not to say that GWU would be completely different either but I visit the east coast often because I have family there.

Anyway, unlike the norm (or the apparent norm, at least) I haven't gone to the Peace Corps yet, haven't done any internships, no major work experience in public health etc. I am finishing my undergrad degree in Biochemistry & Cell Biology in 3 years at UCSD and I'm 21 years old when I graduate in June.

I saw that for GWU the average age going in is 27 and I was wondering if anyone knew the average age going into Tulane. It's not a major decision factor but it is something for me to consider since I'm still really young relative to everyone else...

Right now my pros for Tulane are as follows:
-great city to live and learn in especially post-Katrina with all the rebuilding.
-global health
-fresh start for me in a completely new environment that I look forward to
-a little cheaper than GWU

GWU:
-great networking potential being in DC
-closer to my relatives in NJ/NY area
-other factors I can't remember right now

I would greatly appreciate anyone's insight to these 2 schools. I plan to ultimately go into med school after MPH, hopefully. I look forward to the next 2 years at whichever school I decide to go to but unfortunately GWU is making me decide before I visit Tulane on May 27-29...

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[jaya88]

Hi,
When I visited Tulane they said that they have had an increase in enrollment for undergrads just out of school because of the economy. While the average age may be 27, I wouldn't worry about there not being plenty of 21-23 year olds. My guess is that 27 average may be a little high.
Jaya

 

[splashnchaos23]

I'm in a very similar boat, but I'm looking at global health programs... 22, very little international health experience, planning to go on to med school, and trying to choose between Tulane/GW/ULCA.

I think both schools have a fair number of students coming into their MPH programs straight from undergrad every year. Tulane's 2010-11 class profile shows that around 57% of their students are over the age of 25, but that number includes students in the PhD and MHA programs as well. Here's the link: http://www.tulane.edu/~registra/enrollment_profiles/201030/201030_PH_profile

 

[healthypassion]

Congrats on everyone's acceptances. I am a Tulane undergrad studying Public Health. Although I do not know the specific average age, I will say that a lot of undergrad public health do the 4+1 option and continue on at Tulane for their MPH. I have taken 5 graduate courses from the SPHTM downtown. I would not worry about average age for Tulane. In my classes everyone has been very open. I was in class with students pursuing their 3rd masters, doctors pursuing an mph, people studying with work experience, people with no experience straight from undergrad...the entire range. It really made class interesting with so many different experiences. But again, I really would not worry about Tulane's average age, seeing as you are coming straight from undergrad, you will fit right in. It would not be weird or anything.

 

[mystal]

Just a thought, if you know spanish, it could be a really cool and unique experience to volunteer in the community around Tulane.

 

[ksmph]

I'm also going to Tulane straight from undergrad!

 

[villasin31]

I'm in a very similar boat, but I'm looking at global health programs... 22, very little international health experience, planning to go on to med school, and trying to choose between Tulane/GW/ULCA.

I think both schools have a fair number of students coming into their MPH programs straight from undergrad every year. Tulane's 2010-11 class profile shows that around 57% of their students are over the age of 25, but that number includes students in the PhD and MHA programs as well. Here's the link: http://www.tulane.edu/~registra/enrollment_profiles/201030/201030_PH_profile

thanks for this link! very interesting and useful stats 🙂

Congrats on everyone's acceptances. I am a Tulane undergrad studying Public Health. Although I do not know the specific average age, I will say that a lot of undergrad public health do the 4+1 option and continue on at Tulane for their MPH. I have taken 5 graduate courses from the SPHTM downtown. I would not worry about average age for Tulane. In my classes everyone has been very open. I was in class with students pursuing their 3rd masters, doctors pursuing an mph, people studying with work experience, people with no experience straight from undergrad...the entire range. It really made class interesting with so many different experiences. But again, I really would not worry about Tulane's average age, seeing as you are coming straight from undergrad, you will fit right in. It would not be weird or anything.

thanks for your insight, makes me really excited about studying at Tulane. I still haven't ruled out GWU though. I'm hoping they give me an extension until after my Tulane trip but if not then I may just have to take the dive and go for Tulane.

healthypassion, can you tell me more about your experiences so far being at Tulane undergrad for public health? I'm assuming you will also be doing the 4+1? How big are the class sizes? I've heard people complain about the core classes being 50-60 people but trust me that's not a large number at all. Coming from UCSD as a Bio major, I literally have not had a single class, lower div or upper div, that didn't have less than 100 students. Most of my classes range from 100-400 students in giant lecture halls. I'm looking forward to the smaller class sizes where I will actually be able to talk to the professor in class instead of going to office hours...

 

[healthypassion]

villasin31,
as an undergrad i have so far taken 4 graduate courses at the downtown SPHTM. My classes had 50-60 students as you said. I really did not think that it was a negative. That is larger than my undergrad classes. This was also for intro classes. I dont know how the class sizes are for more specific courses.