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- Mar 30, 2012
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I would greatly appreciate any feedback (particularly recent alums or current students) from either program. I spent two years working in hospitals in Africa, India, and the Middle East and realized I needed more background on research methods/implementation of programs to truly achieve my goals. I would like to work for a non-profit or an NGO focused on Africa/South East Asia but also have the flexibility to work in the US. I currently have zero debt and am working a steady job until I start school this fall. I was accepted into Tulane, Yale, Drexel, and Columbia MPH programs. Ive narrowed it down to Drexel vs. Columbia.
Considerations: program, $, alumni placement, faculty, city
Drexel- Community Health and Prevention Program.
Pros: Drexel is offering me a 24K scholarship (50% of my tuition) and I can realistically only take out 10-15K in loans for all two years for tuition, books, and cost of living between this and my savings. I like the project- based curriculum and want my degree to be focused on the practice of public health, not the theory. I would rather live in Philly than NYC as my boyfriend will be doing his residency there, my family is close, and the idea of NYC living does not appeal to me at all.
Cons: It seems to have a good reputation but is a newer program. I havent been overly impressed by the faculty research. But it is important to me that the faculty is engaged and available (which I hear is not the case with Columbia). I want to be challenged by the program and Im not sure if the academics will be equal to that of Columbia.
Columbia- Population and Family Health
Pros- Just reading the class lists and seminars available makes me giddy. Everything from studying health effects of displacement to humanitarian assistance- this is the meat of what I want to study. The faculty is world-class and the reputation undeniable.
Cons- I received no scholarships and Im looking at footing a 100K+ debt (compared to 10K with Drexel). This is no joke particularly if Im planning on doing work abroad where paying off a loan could really limit me. I also dont like NYC Im just not a big city person and the idea of living in a tiny dorm, by myself, in a big city makes me cringe.
I suppose what it comes down to is how much is reputation worth? Is it worth 100K more?
Thank you for your time- and I appreciate any feedback!!
Considerations: program, $, alumni placement, faculty, city
Drexel- Community Health and Prevention Program.
Pros: Drexel is offering me a 24K scholarship (50% of my tuition) and I can realistically only take out 10-15K in loans for all two years for tuition, books, and cost of living between this and my savings. I like the project- based curriculum and want my degree to be focused on the practice of public health, not the theory. I would rather live in Philly than NYC as my boyfriend will be doing his residency there, my family is close, and the idea of NYC living does not appeal to me at all.
Cons: It seems to have a good reputation but is a newer program. I havent been overly impressed by the faculty research. But it is important to me that the faculty is engaged and available (which I hear is not the case with Columbia). I want to be challenged by the program and Im not sure if the academics will be equal to that of Columbia.
Columbia- Population and Family Health
Pros- Just reading the class lists and seminars available makes me giddy. Everything from studying health effects of displacement to humanitarian assistance- this is the meat of what I want to study. The faculty is world-class and the reputation undeniable.
Cons- I received no scholarships and Im looking at footing a 100K+ debt (compared to 10K with Drexel). This is no joke particularly if Im planning on doing work abroad where paying off a loan could really limit me. I also dont like NYC Im just not a big city person and the idea of living in a tiny dorm, by myself, in a big city makes me cringe.
I suppose what it comes down to is how much is reputation worth? Is it worth 100K more?
Thank you for your time- and I appreciate any feedback!!
