I have been accepted into Emory's MPh- Global Health program and Columbia's Health Policy Program. I am having a very hard time deciding. I wish to work in Eastern Africa upon graduation- designing and evaluating programs/policies. I feel as though Columbia could give me a strong foundation for design/evaluation but the contacts at Emory and the Global focus of the program are also appealing.
I'd love to know what you all think. I'm heading back to east Africa in 3 weeks, so I have to decide pretty soon. Thanks!
You can't make a bad choice here!
I can only truly speak to Columbia, but linking HPM to a career in E. Africa will not be the straightest line. I did SMS at Columbia and actually do work in E. Africa now, but it was not easy/straightforward and took lots of luck. If you're a very entrepreneurial person that loves to sort of 'pound the pavement' in pursuit of opportunities, Columbia has a wealth. But, they are never really presented to you in an accessible way (IMO), and you're going to have to edge out all of the folks in the Global Health track. On the other hand, if there are specific NGOs with NY offices that you're interested in, Columbia could be a good place to be, simply because of the networking possibilities (the International Rescue Committee comes to mind).
Honestly, grad school is all about your network and opportunities. So, if you can see more clear linkages to work in Eastern Africa from the vantage of a Global Health program at Emory, that would be my choice. The coursework should be comparable, but I assume the networks are quite different (both wonderful, just different).
Or, if someone has money for you, go there. MPHs don't make the big bucks.
Goodluck, feel free to PM with more Qs.
