Epi-related Research

[mihyang]

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I am interested in applying for Epi programs this fall, and I was wondering how important epi-related research is to an application. I posted about this awhile back, but I realize that I wasn't being very specific in my post. I have previous biology research experience (on the order of 2+ years, not continuous), but nothing that I could spin as public health. I would like to get more exposure to epidemiology as a field before I apply, in order to strengthen my application, but my attempts to get volunteer experience directly related to epi have been largely ignored. (I have tried the DPH of my county and several surrounding counties, and none of them need volunteers). I also work full time doing research, so my hours are sort of limited.

Is it crucial to get direct epi experience before I apply?

 

[love2bfit]

I think it depends on the program. For example, I have been accepted to a ScM program in Epi and I have zero epi research experience. However, I have two years of clinical psychology research experience. That said, my interests are in the epi of psychiatric illnesses so my experience is still relevant.

What programs are you looking into? And what are your research interests?

 

[Stories]

MPH: No experience necessary
PhD: Almost mandatory for a competitive applicant

 

[mihyang]

I plan on applying for an MPH, not a PhD, so that makes me feel a bit better. My current research interests have to do with lincRNAs, to put it broadly. I am aiming for the Epi program at Columbia (as my absolute first choice), but I'm also planning to apply to a few other schools on the east coast.

My other question has to do with letters of rec. Some programs whose applications I've looked at ask for your recommenders to attest to your interest in public health, but if I have no public health experience, what is the best way to go about this, other than talking to your recommenders about your interest? My passion for working with lincRNAs can't exactly be translated into public health.

 

[mihyang]

And additionally, if I wanted to get public health experience directly related to epi, what avenues should I try? I have already contacted county DPH offices, to no avail.

 

[Stories]

I plan on applying for an MPH, not a PhD, so that makes me feel a bit better. My current research interests have to do with lincRNAs, to put it broadly. I am aiming for the Epi program at Columbia (as my absolute first choice), but I'm also planning to apply to a few other schools on the east coast.

My other question has to do with letters of rec. Some programs whose applications I've looked at ask for your recommenders to attest to your interest in public health, but if I have no public health experience, what is the best way to go about this, other than talking to your recommenders about your interest? My passion for working with lincRNAs can't exactly be translated into public health.

General recommendations attesting to your ability to be a good graduate student + an interest in health research should be fine.

And additionally, if I wanted to get public health experience directly related to epi, what avenues should I try? I have already contacted county DPH offices, to no avail.

Universities is a good place for research opps. Some hospitals do research, too (usually university-affiliated).

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

MPH: No experience necessary
PhD: Almost mandatory for a competitive applicant

Slight clarification:
MPH: No [research] experience necessary
PhD: [research] almost mandatory for a competitive applicant

If you are wanting to do a MPH, get some public health experience whether it be research or hands-on practice in public health. There are many places besides your local health departments that do public health. Think of social work with a health related outcome. In fact, here at least, the local health departments don't do research -- they are public health PRACTICE only. Public health research is done by the State dept of public health and by the academic medical centers.