Hopkins vs. Columbia

[yaya438]

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I was hoping that some of you could give me some advice or opinions. I have narrowed my choices down to Hopkins and Columbia and I am having a really difficult time deciding. I was accepted to the MHS in Social factors at JHU and the MPH in Social Science Research at Columbia (with a merit scholarship). I want to pursue a career in teaching and research in reproductive health and women's health. Could anybody give me any advice on which school would be better for pursuing this career path.

Also, I have heard that Columbia students seem unhappy. Can anybody shed some light on this? Why would they be unhappy?

 

[RebecaB]

I was hoping that some of you could give me some advice or opinions. I have narrowed my choices down to Hopkins and Columbia and I am having a really difficult time deciding. I was accepted to the MHS in Social factors at JHU and the MPH in Social Science Research at Columbia (with a merit scholarship). I want to pursue a career in teaching and research in reproductive health and women's health. Could anybody give me any advice on which school would be better for pursuing this career path.

Also, I have heard that Columbia students seem unhappy. Can anybody shed some light on this? Why would they be unhappy?

Hi yaya438, I'm in a similar situation, pursuing similar things, though deciding between the Social Science Research track at Columbia (no merit scholarship!) and the 11-mo MPH at Hopkins. I don't know that Columbia students are unhappy, but I do know that Hopkins students seem VERY happy and excited about their program. I've had a hard time tracking down Columbia students to talk to and a much easier time speaking with Hopkins students. I think you could achieve your goal with either of those programs, though, and they are both great, so it really depends on whether the specific resources you need are at these schools (faculty you'd like to work with, etc). Have you been able to speak with any faculty members?

Does anyone know how big the Sociomedical Sciences dept is at Columbia, and/or the SSR track specifically?

And if anyone could compare the SMS/SSR track at Columbia and the 11-mo MPH at Hopkins, I'm all ears as well!

 

[RebecaB]

Also, as far as why Columbia students might seem unhappy, I've known many people who have attended Columbia for graduate programs (psychology, fiction, public health, and environmental engineering) and are somewhat jaded about the cost of everything (especially when you factor in living expenses in NY) and the fact that the administration can drag their feet quite a bit. That's school-wide, though, and not specific to Mailman.

 

[yaya438]

Thank you for your input RebecaB! Which program are you leaning towards?

 

[RebecaB]

Thank you for your input RebecaB! Which program are you leaning towards?

I'm thinking Hopkins, because it's shorter, less expensive, and the school's connections and reputation are pretty valuable. But I am going to Columbia's Admitted Students Day tomorrow, so maybe I'll think differently then!

What are you thinking?