For love or reputation?? Help!

[atis]

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Hi all,

I've been *lurking* around on this forum for a while and thanks to all of your great advice, have been accepted to my top choice pub. health school (BU).

First a bit of background before I launch into my conundrum. I live in San Diego with my boyfriend. He's been accepted to a PhD program at UCSD, so he'll likely be here for a while. I'd like to stay here, or at least move back here after my MPH is done. My dream job would be to work in an international health setting or with an organization like the WHO, but I'd be happy doing clinical trials at a biotech or something to establish myself first.

So...the choice. Do I go with love (SDSU), or reputation (BU)? I know SDSU is respected in SoCal and there are a lot of biotechs here in San Diego where one could work with a MPH from SDSU. However, I like the flexibility of the BU program and might want to (possibly) dual concentrate in IH, which I could do at BU.

so...does ranking and reputation matter that in the public health world? I get the impression that BU is a much better school, but to be honest, I don't know too much about how much your schooling matters when you apply for public health jobs. Does anyone have any insights? Sorry about the long post, but I'm utterly confused and torn at the moment 🙁 and would appreciate any help

Thanks

 

[Path2Felicity]

I think it really depends on what you want in life and what your goals are, as well as how serious you are with your boyfriend.

I am studying at Yale right now, and my husband and I are 5 hours apart by driving. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably have chosen to live closer to him and gone to a less "reputable" school. But that's just me- I'm generally not the career driven over ambitious type. In fact, the things that make me happy in life are definitely not career related to me. My husband and I are making it work (obviously), but I'm just not sure if it's going to be worth it in the end.

Nobody can really answer this question for you. I think you will be able to find good opportunities no matter what school you go to, depending on what type of networking capabilities you have as well as your own ability to get out there and show yourself. However, the opportunities may be fewer if you go to a less reputable school.

I know that I didn't really help- but that's all I could offer to you at the moment 🙂

 

[atis]

Thanks for the insight Felicity!

I know no one can make the decision for me (though sometimes I wish they would...=)

I just want to know if I'll be at a big disadvantage getting into public health if I graduate from SDSU versus BU...whether the school's reputation matters at all.

Though I want to stay in SD, I think my relationship will be just fine regardless....I just don't want to compromise my opportunities for the sake of comfort, you know?

Any other opinions would be much appreciated!

 

[trustfundbaby]

None of those schools are prestigious, so stay with your boyfriend.

 

[bailey00]

He's a 13 year-old playing with his parent's computer. He must be bored with the comic book message boards. Trustfundbaby, stop posting or you'll miss your little league game! Now go get 'em, slugger!

None of those schools are prestigious, so stay with your boyfriend.

 

[Bobblehead]

If you have contacts at a nearby school of public health they may be able to give you a better insight on this. Unfortunately I'm the "MPH as a terminal degree" camp so I wasn't really concerned whether my school had a reputation.

That being said be aware that BU will nickle and dime you to death for pretty much everything. I would also strongly consider life outside the classroom. If your boyfriend will be a fiance soon then that may be more significant than anything in terms of a school's reputation.

 

[redlotus]

I'm struggling with the same question right now. However, I'm going to take the distance MPH approach. The top schools tend to have very well developed, fully accredited part-time distance programs -- I've looked into Hopkins, Emory and UW and have been accepted to all three. I'll do Hopkins. This was essential to remain employed at a job I like very much (and need) and stay with my partner.

These programs get you on campus as much as possible and keep you connected through real time lectures online. I'm a bit nervous since I really like to connect with other students and professors but committed to putting my all into it from a distance.

 

[atis]

Congrats on your acceptance redlotus!

Thank you all for the input...I actually have decided to go with BU (my bf's family lives there so we can see each other around holidays, at least).

I am looking at the degree as a terminal thing, so I wanted to go with the place that would give me the most opportunities. Plus, everyone at BU was so accomodating and nice when I went to visit. I'm pretty excited, actually!

Anyone else here going to be starting at BU next fall? Or at least does anyone have any advice about living in Boston?

Thanks again everyone 😳

 

[Adcadet]

As an MPH grad, I honestly have very little to add to the discussion other than to comment on this being a difficult decision. The right answer is different for everybody. A lucky few will have a school that's a good match for them academically in the same city as their loved ones, current job, hobbies of interest, etc. IMO the truely lucky ones are those with significant others/jobs/hobbies of interest that make the decision difficult.

 

[Bobblehead]

Anyone else here going to be starting at BU next fall? Or at least does anyone have any advice about living in Boston?

BU has an off-campus housing list that you can get access to. Craigslist is also very helpful. Since you'll be going for the dreaded Sept 1 move-in date be sure you've got all of your moving plans well in place before that point in time. The most important question is how much do you want to spend per month? The second is where do you want to live? Do you want in-unit/building laundry? Do you need off-street parking? Do you want a roommate? Do you want to drive to BU or take the bus (note there are no good subway connections to BU that don't also require a bus transfer)?

Avoid paying the realtor fee if at all possible. The no fee or owners only section of craigslist usually has the best listings anyway.