GWU Accreditation issues

[kelwalk]

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Hey guys--

This may be a dumb question--but do the accreditation issues surrounding the GWU med school have any effect on the accreditation of the MPH program?

I just got accepted a few weeks ago, and it was one of my top choices, so I'm wondering. The situation down there seems kind of terrible right now.

 

[zose]

Hey guys--

This may be a dumb question--but do the accreditation issues surrounding the GWU med school have any effect on the accreditation of the MPH program?

I just got accepted a few weeks ago, and it was one of my top choices, so I'm wondering. The situation down there seems kind of terrible right now.

I was actually wondering the same thing as well. I wouldn't think that it would affect the accreditation of the MPH program, but it makes me wary of the quality or at least the resources available at the school, as I am sure that there would be some interaction between the school of medicine and the school of public health. The Washington Post article about the issue also mentioned that the med students have some of the highest debt levels, which also makes me a little nervous about financial aid for public health.

 

[kelwalk]

I actually just emailed Jane Smith in the Admissions office of GW SPHHS this morning and she said that the school's accreditation was just renewed for 7 years this past fall, and that the med school's accreditation wouldn't affect the public health school's accreditation.

But like you said, I'm worried about both school resources and funding from GW. I'm on the Global Health track, so the cost is especially prohibitative considering how much I'll likely make post-graduation.

 

[zose]

I'm glad to hear that you checked in about it... that makes me feel better about accreditation. I'm hoping that I'll get a better feel for the situation at the open house, and perhaps it isn't a cause for too much concern. I was actually surprised that no one had brought up the issue here sooner. So far, everyone at the school has been nothing but helpful and welcoming, which is part of why I am considering GW. I guess I'll wait and see what happens with funding and other opportunities.

 

[kelwalk]

I'll be at the Open House too! 😀

And I agree, everyone has been extremely welcoming and helpful so far. The administration seems pretty responsive to my questions.

 

[zose]

See you on the 28th!

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I did my MPH (Epi/Biostats) at GW 2002-2004 before going to med school at PCOM.

Someone mentioned GW's prohibitive cost -- very true. Are you guys aware that if you get a job on-campus you will get some serious tuition benefits? You get 100% (up to 8 credits a semester) paid for if you work for the University itself and 66% paid for if you work for the medical center. I did the latter so my tuition was 1/3 of what others paid...😀

Keep in mind that actually getting a job on-campus is very difficult. No one calls you back. So apply broadly. Take a "shot gun" approach. And if you have connections on-campus, work them. Do whatever it takes to get "a" job.

Hope that helps. G'luck guys!

 

[zose]

I was definitely hoping to get a research position while enrolled. Were you able to get a research position (ie. job + experience) or simply a job that would help pay the bills? Also, were you able to secure a position prior to the start of classes?

Thank you so much for input. How did you like GW (very broad question)? Were you initially planning on pursuing med school after obtaining your mph?

 

[aspiringmph]

Phew, the title of this thread made my heart skip a beat! Am also seriously considering GW.

I too am sad about the price and as far as I can tell I will be getting no money from them. It would be such a no-brainer for me to go if only it was cheaper! Seems so sad to go to a lower-ranked school for the exact same price as those at the top.

 

[kelwalk]

DOCTORSAIB, did you work full-time at GW, or only part-time?

Would you recommend the school generally?

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I was definitely hoping to get a research position while enrolled. Were you able to get a research position (ie. job + experience) or simply a job that would help pay the bills? Also, were you able to secure a position prior to the start of classes?

Thank you so much for input. How did you like GW (very broad question)? Were you initially planning on pursuing med school after obtaining your mph?

I worked in a clinical job where I saw patients day in and day out. It was a GREAT experience for me. And I got paid ($30K) plus 2/3 of my tuition was paid for.

I got the job through someone I knew. It wasn't even advertised! And yes I was able to start right before classes started.

Yes, my plans were to go to med school all along. I used those two years to learn public health, work and reapply..🙂

DOCTORSAIB, did you work full-time at GW, or only part-time?

Would you recommend the school generally?

I worked full-time and went to school part-time. My schedule was pretty exhausting as I worked 8am-5pm (or 4pm on days I had classes). And four days a week I had classes until around 9pm. Yes, it was exhausting at times but I was determined to get into med school. I had to do what I had to do.

I would definitely recommend GW. I did my undergrad and MPH there..😍

 

[Jainie]

I received my acceptance letter from GW School of Public Health - Epidemiology with a Global Health track. Very excited! Not so much about the tuition 🙁

I'll be there on the 28th at the open house as well!

 

[kelwalk]

Thanks for the help!

 

[154175]

Has anyone received any financial aid information? They've had my FAFSA for over a month...

 

[MsPA]

Got an email from Jane Smith today informing me of acceptance into the MPH-Maternal and Child Health.

Like others said earlier, the administration is very friendly and responsive. I must say that this is the only school that I applied to that I was able to call and speak directly to the Director of Admissions 🙂

I will be attending the open house on March 28. However, cost is definitely an issue for me as well. I was also accepted to UNC for MPH-Maternal and Child Health and this seems like the better option for me because I am from NC and will receive in state tuition. I submitted my FAFSA in early January and I havent heard anything from GWU regarding financial aid either.

 

[kelwalk]

Nope, nothing from Financial Aid yet--the forms for 2009 aren't even up on the website yet either! I submitted my FAFSA a while ago.

 

[154175]

Man. This is the most unresponsive school EVER. Admissions isn't, but every other department is.

I got a letter in the mail from the Financial Aid office. I thought it might be something to do with an award. No. It was telling me that most people use Stafford loans. Waste of paper and money.

I'd like some information, GWU! C'mon...

 

[kelwalk]

Man. This is the most unresponsive school EVER. Admissions isn't, but every other department is.

I got a letter in the mail from the Financial Aid office. I thought it might be something to do with an award. No. It was telling me that most people use Stafford loans. Waste of paper and money.

I'd like some information, GWU! C'mon...

I know, right? What a joke. I've basically decided to go to BU instead because of this issue...

 

[CLeeH]

I know, right? What a joke. I've basically decided to go to BU instead because of this issue...

I have spoken extensively with both the Admissions office and the Financial Aid office about GWU's financial aid notification delay. They have said that they pretty much hold all applications (now that they finally have this year's up) until the end of May and then start to dispurse.

Any scholarships would've already been handed out and although you might get some grants, expect most in loans. You won't be notified until AUGUST (!!) when the funds are dispersed how much you're getting but I was assured as long as you had good credit you would be getting everything you requested.

Mind you, this is the first year since the major recession they've been doing this and many of their lenders (i.e. Citibank) are in dire financial straits right now so it's unknown what changes there may be in the life of your loan.

It's driving me towards BU too that's for sure. GWU admissions has said they would hold off on the response date, but they won't hold off until August!

 

[MsPA]

I have spoken extensively with both the Admissions office and the Financial Aid office about GWU's financial aid notification delay. They have said that they pretty much hold all applications (now that they finally have this year's up) until the end of May and then start to dispurse.

Any scholarships would've already been handed out and although you might get some grants, expect most in loans. You won't be notified until AUGUST (!!) when the funds are dispersed how much you're getting but I was assured as long as you had good credit you would be getting everything you requested.

Mind you, this is the first year since the major recession they've been doing this and many of their lenders (i.e. Citibank) are in dire financial straits right now so it's unknown what changes there may be in the life of your loan.

It's driving me towards BU too that's for sure. GWU admissions has said they would hold off on the response date, but they won't hold off until August!

August!?!?! Yikes!! Yea, Im so glad I decided on UNC. Because Im instate I dont have to worry about a load of loans.

I got that POINTLESS letter also. It was clearly a waste of time and money in my opinion.

 

[154175]

I am so pissed off right now. I've e-mailed the financial aid office a couple times this week, didn't get answers to the questions I asked (one of which was, "what is my next step? what should i do right now to get loans in august?"), reiterated my questions, was told to e-mail another department (that won't have answers to the questions) - so I tried to call the financial aid office just to try to figure out what to do, and I get a message that they're experiencing a high call volume and to e-mail them.

Well, that didn't bloody well work, did it? Why would I try e-mailing again? The call hangs up after the recorded message, so you can't actually get through to a person; thus, I'm not entirely sure how they can be experiencing a high call volume.

Then I called Jane Smith to see if I could get the deadline extended, and in literally fifteen seconds, she'd extended it, was polite, and off the phone. Why can't the financial aid office be as efficient?

Right now, there's only two reasons why I'd go: the OCOL program and the fact that it's DC, and I'm not sure if that's enough.

 

[kelwalk]

I am so pissed off right now. I've e-mailed the financial aid office a couple times this week, didn't get answers to the questions I asked (one of which was, "what is my next step? what should i do right now to get loans in august?"), reiterated my questions, was told to e-mail another department (that won't have answers to the questions) - so I tried to call the financial aid office just to try to figure out what to do, and I get a message that they're experiencing a high call volume and to e-mail them.

Well, that didn't bloody well work, did it? Why would I try e-mailing again? The call hangs up after the recorded message, so you can't actually get through to a person; thus, I'm not entirely sure how they can be experiencing a high call volume.

Then I called Jane Smith to see if I could get the deadline extended, and in literally fifteen seconds, she'd extended it, was polite, and off the phone. Why can't the financial aid office be as efficient?

Right now, there's only two reasons why I'd go: the OCOL program and the fact that it's DC, and I'm not sure if that's enough.

Gah--that is terrible. Since I've decided to pursue MCH instead of Global Health, I basically gave up on GW, since the OCOL and the location (DC) were the only reasons I'd go too.

Did you have your OCOL interview yet? I was supposed to have mine yesterday, but cancelled it since I've decided on BU.

 

[154175]

Did you have your OCOL interview yet? I was supposed to have mine yesterday, but cancelled it since I've decided on BU.

Nope, Monday.

However, the Student Accounts office just sent me a detailed e-mail explaining what exactly I need to do for financial aid (basically, fill out the loan questionnaire for Stafford and PLUS and MPN) and a basic guideline, so I'm not giving up on GW yet.