Grad School Chances?

[Vespasian]

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I'm not sure if this would fit in the "What are my chances" thread since I'm not applying yet and really don't have any particular programs in mind. If it does I apologize for posting in the wrong place.

I am a semester away from graduating with a BS in Public Health (Minor in Infection Control), as of right now I have a 3.41 GPA and expect it to hover around a 3.4-3.5 when every thing is said and done.

I have about a year of research experience in a cardiovascular research lab, co-presented 2 posters at a hypertension symposium and have a co-author spot (4-5th author, so nothing impressive) on two papers in the field of hypertension.

I am really, really interested in epidemiology and have been turned on to the discipline of cardiovascular epidemiology- so a graduate program in this area would be great. I haven't taken the GRE yet but I've consistently been scoring 155-160 in Verbal and around the same in Quantitative.

Cliff notes: ~3.4 GPA BS Public Health, 155-160 V/Q GRE Practice, sparse research experience.

So, having laid it all out there how likely am I to get into a decent epi graduate program?

I'm nervous about my GPA (too much time in SDN's premed area) and GRE (though I'm going to study hard and shoot higher)

Thanks in advance for any feedback provided!

 

[NeurosciTMS]

I was accepted to Hopkins Cardiovascular Disease EPI masters program with a 3.4 undergraduate GPA and I finished the premedical curriculum at my school. I did not take the GRE, but I took the MCAT. I think you can get into an EPI program with that GPA, just make sure your quantitative GRE scores are on the higher side and that you highlight your cardiovascular research experience in your application. I would also recommend applying as early as possible. Also taking a gap year or two to engage in further research or other public health type of programs is always beneficial and will further set you apart. I hope this helps. Also, I had no cardiovascular Epi research experience when I applied to the program. I did have general epidemiology research experiences through internships. Demonstrating your understanding of epidemiology and public health in your statement of purpose is also important.

 

[Emsy]

The further you get away from college, the less that stuff matters.

Naturally, if you were to apply straight out of undergrad, there isn't much for the admission committee to judge you on but if you chose to work for a few years, now you have something else to add to the resume, possibly talk about in your personal statement or interview if the program you choose does those.

Plus, you already have co-authorship (who cares if you were only 4th, 5th, not everyone has that opportunity) and have presented work. These are skills that are wanted in the job market and for graduate school.

So, don't get too hung up on the GPA number. However, you will really need to have the highest quant score you can manage for those programs (most have a minimum quant score needed).

 

[Vespasian]

The further you get away from college, the less that stuff matters.

Naturally, if you were to apply straight out of undergrad, there isn't much for the admission committee to judge you on but if you chose to work for a few years, now you have something else to add to the resume, possibly talk about in your personal statement or interview if the program you choose does those.

Plus, you already have co-authorship (who cares if you were only 4th, 5th, not everyone has that opportunity) and have presented work. These are skills that are wanted in the job market and for graduate school.

So, don't get too hung up on the GPA number. However, you will really need to have the highest quant score you can manage for those programs (most have a minimum quant score needed).

I forgot to mention in my first post that I am a bit of a non-traditional student. I didn't go straight into college after High School so I've built up about 5 years of work experience, just none directly relevant to public health. I've got a wife and a young daughter too- although I'm not sure if that is a positive for admissions purposes.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Emsy]

I don't see why having a family would be a problem. During my time at Columbia, one of the people in my cohort became pregnant during our first semester. Another was pregnant during the second year of the program. And the school was flexible with maternity leave.

Lots of people in the program were married with children as well.

 

[sak91]

It depends on where you are planning on applying. Getting into Hopkins will be a lot harder than getting into USC for example. I don't see anywhere that you've indicated where you'd like to apply.

Anyways, GPA matters very little in the admissions process from MPH programs. To give you an idea, I had less than a 3.0 undergrad GPA, decent GRE scores, but a TON of research/public health related experience. I was accepted to a program concentrating on epidemiology and will be starting this fall.

So basically, I think you are fine for most programs since you have research experience. Just show your passion in public health and write a killer personal statement. Now, if you are applying to top tier programs, that may not be the case....but you are in good shape for most.

 

[Vespasian]

It depends on where you are planning on applying. Getting into Hopkins will be a lot harder than getting into USC for example. I don't see anywhere that you've indicated where you'd like to apply.

Anyways, GPA matters very little in the admissions process from MPH programs. To give you an idea, I had less than a 3.0 undergrad GPA, decent GRE scores, but a TON of research/public health related experience. I was accepted to a program concentrating on epidemiology and will be starting this fall.

So basically, I think you are fine for most programs since you have research experience. Just show your passion in public health and write a killer personal statement. Now, if you are applying to top tier programs, that may not be the case....but you are in good shape for most.

I'm mainly looking at in-state schools; USF, FIU, UM, even looking at FSU/UWF's MPH programs, and some of the MSPH programs (TM&P, Epi) at Tulane.

Thanks for the information and direction, much appreciated.

 

[Stories]

With a family, I would say that considering the financial aspects of going to a graduate program should be considered strongly. Take a look at what career you're interested in pursuing rather than the degree and then approach whether or not graduate schooling fits with that profile.

 

[Vespasian]

With a family, I would say that considering the financial aspects of going to a graduate program should be considered strongly. Take a look at what career you're interested in pursuing rather than the degree and then approach whether or not graduate schooling fits with that profile.

It does. Thanks.