Desperately need your help (Brown, USC MPH)

[Bboyryu]

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Hi everyone.

I got accepted to both Brown (offered 25% scholarship) and USC MPH program (not sure yet, but probably no scholarships), but I can't really find people who got accepted to these programs. I've been comtemplating between two, and I was wondering if you can share information about these school's MPH program. I'm interested in health policy and management, but a bit worried that since none of these schools are not ranked, it would be difficult for me to find a job after graduation.

What do you guys think? Which program is better?

My another question is... $$$$. SInce I'm an international student, it costs lots of money (probably about $100,000 for two years for tuition + living expenses?) I'm thinking about getting a loan but I'm really worried that if I can actually pay all back soon. Perhaps it'll take years. How are you able to pay these money back after your graduation? Are you all rich? (I'm pretty poor 🙁) Is the MPH degree from Brown or USC worth the $100,000? Can a public health job make enough money to pay this amount soon? (of course it all depends on jobs but I want to hear about your general opinion)

In addition, since I'm an international student, I guess it'll be much more difficult for me to get a job in the states after graduation.

I need your help/advice! I welcome all thoughts, comments, answers..
Please help! 🙁

 

[Stories]

You can take up to 30 years to pay back student loans. It's generally not advisable to pay back over that long of a term due to accrued interest, but it's an option.

And the question of if $100k is worth it can only be answered by yourself. If you feel comfortable taking out an educational loan to get the education and job you want, then I think most people would say it's worth it. If you're at all money adverse and being financially flexible is one of the most important parts of your life, many would say it's not worth it.

 

[healthdisparity]

First, congratulations on your acceptances. It truly is a testament to your hard work, so keep it up!

Now, please excuse my ignorance, but what programs have you been accepted to? I only say this because I am also a HPM applicant and was not aware Brown even had a program. However, I could be mistaken. Also, I know USC has a health administration program, but it is an MHA (Not through the School of Public Health). If you were accepted to the MPH school, I'm not entirely sure that is where you want to be...

Normally wouldn't post, but don't want you to accept a deal that may or may not be exactly what you're looking for.

 

[MolBio]

What do you guys think? Which program is better?

I can't be of much help on this question - I'm not familiar with either program.

Is the MPH degree from Brown or USC worth the $100,000? Can a public health job make enough money to pay this amount soon? (of course it all depends on jobs but I want to hear about your general opinion)

The rule of thumb sometimes quoted is do not take more total debt than you expect to make per year (before tax) after graduating. So roughly, you would want to earn close to $100K per year to be able to pay back the loan in a reasonable time and also live comfortably. This could be possible if, for example, you had help from parents or a significant other with a good job, or if you have other qualifications (are you MD/MPH?). It could also be possible if you think you can and want to get a job in private consulting.

In addition, since I'm an international student, I guess it'll be much more difficult for me to get a job in the states after graduation.

It definitely will be more difficult. Which country are you from?

 

[Veggie Monster]

Hi everyone.

I got accepted to both Brown (offered 25% scholarship) and USC MPH program (not sure yet, but probably no scholarships), but I can't really find people who got accepted to these programs. I've been comtemplating between two, and I was wondering if you can share information about these school's MPH program. I'm interested in health policy and management, but a bit worried that since none of these schools are not ranked, it would be difficult for me to find a job after graduation.

What do you guys think? Which program is better?

My another question is... $$$$. SInce I'm an international student, it costs lots of money (probably about $100,000 for two years for tuition + living expenses?) I'm thinking about getting a loan but I'm really worried that if I can actually pay all back soon. Perhaps it'll take years. How are you able to pay these money back after your graduation? Are you all rich? (I'm pretty poor 🙁) Is the MPH degree from Brown or USC worth the $100,000? Can a public health job make enough money to pay this amount soon? (of course it all depends on jobs but I want to hear about your general opinion)

In addition, since I'm an international student, I guess it'll be much more difficult for me to get a job in the states after graduation.

I need your help/advice! I welcome all thoughts, comments, answers..
Please help! 🙁

If your interest is in health policy and management, don't even both going to usc or brown for an MPH degree. apply for a new cycle to different schools that align to your career goals. ex: health policy and management. why did you even bother to apply to usc mph or brown mph if those programs don't train you for a career in HPM?

 

[enox0485]

If your interest is in health policy and management, don't even both going to usc or brown for an MPH degree. apply for a new cycle to different schools that align to your career goals. ex: health policy and management. why did you even bother to apply to usc mph or brown mph if those programs don't train you for a career in HPM?

I agree to a point. If you want to do hospital administration but are trying to go the MPH-HPM route to accomplish it Brown or USC MIGHT work. Though the MHA is probably the most advisable way to go because it properly prepares you for a fellowship. I am just finishing up my MBA so I am looking on doing a MPH-HPM because of the issues of the overlap of courses between an MBA to an MHA, but if I were to rewrite the script in my life I would have definitely done the MHA and saved myself time and money. But yeah, if you're set on HPM look at Michigan, Emory, UNC, etc.

 

[Bboyryu]

First, congratulations on your acceptances. It truly is a testament to your hard work, so keep it up!

Now, please excuse my ignorance, but what programs have you been accepted to? I only say this because I am also a HPM applicant and was not aware Brown even had a program. However, I could be mistaken. Also, I know USC has a health administration program, but it is an MHA (Not through the School of Public Health). If you were accepted to the MPH school, I'm not entirely sure that is where you want to be...

Normally wouldn't post, but don't want you to accept a deal that may or may not be exactly what you're looking for.

Thank you for your encouragement! Yes, Brown has a small MPH program. (See the link) http://publichealth.brown.edu/mph/ It's a small program, and I think fairly new so I don't think alot poeple know about the program. Also USC has an MPH program as well. http://mph.usc.edu/main.php I know they have an MHA program, but I believe they required a certain number of work experiences and I didn't meet their requirement. Brown and USC have a MPH program (not a school of public health yet).

 

[Bboyryu]

If your interest is in health policy and management, don't even both going to usc or brown for an MPH degree. apply for a new cycle to different schools that align to your career goals. ex: health policy and management. why did you even bother to apply to usc mph or brown mph if those programs don't train you for a career in HPM?

I guess when I wrote health policy and management, I meant public health policy.. Sorry about that. I'm interested in USC's MPH program's Public Health Policy Track and as for Brown, I'm interested in general track since Brown doesn't have any specific concentrations. My goal is to become an analyst or research in public health field.. Anyways with that said, please share your opinions and thoughts about USC and Brown MPH programs.

 

[Bboyryu]

I can't be of much help on this question - I'm not familiar with either program.



The rule of thumb sometimes quoted is do not take more total debt than you expect to make per year (before tax) after graduating. So roughly, you would want to earn close to $100K per year to be able to pay back the loan in a reasonable time and also live comfortably. This could be possible if, for example, you had help from parents or a significant other with a good job, or if you have other qualifications (are you MD/MPH?). It could also be possible if you think you can and want to get a job in private consulting.



It definitely will be more difficult. Which country are you from?

Thank you so much for your reply! it helped me a lot. I'm from one of the countries in Asia. (I apologize for not mentioning specifics).. Anyways yeah I understand that USC and Brown's MPH programs are not well known. I can't seem to find much information about them on this forum... 🙁

 

[Bboyryu]

So is there anyone else there can tell me more about Brown and USC MPH program please? Anybody familiar with these programs?

Please help.

 

[jlive]

The MPH program at Brown is pretty good. It's an open curriculum, aside from the 7 prereqs for a MPH degree. That gives you 6 electives to explore different areas. The class size is also fairly small compared to other schools (generally 35 students or so). I don't think you can go wrong with going to Brown, but I would arrange a visit to the school to make sure you're comfortable with the surroundings and faculty.