Interested in PH but not so sure about my chances, advice needed.

[360823]

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I recently graduated with an overall gpa of 3.08 and I believe my science gpa is roughly around 2.7-2.8. I majored in biology and minored in psychology. My grades started going down junior year and kept going down until I graduated. I also took the GRE but plan on taking it again. My overall score was 1000 (Q570 V430) and AW 4.5. Also because of my grades, I lack with the letters for recommendations.

I was actually originally pre-med but felt that it wasn't really right for me so I changed to public health my junior year which I believe is a better fit. I plan on doing mch/international health (I know I can only choose one).

As far as ec goes: I was a research training student, I volunteered on a medical trip in Panama, I was fundraising chair for that organization at my schools chapter, I was a member of an international medical fraternity, and did miscellaneous volunteering with a childrens hospital and a non-profit organization that raises money to provide clean water in Niger. This is my year off so I plan on volunteering for Red Cross.

I don't know if it would be a good idea to directly apply to a MPH program now. I was planning on doing a post-bacc that offered public health courses that I can take in addition to retaking some biology courses to bring my gpa up so I can be a better candidate for the MPH. My top choices are Boston, Columbia, and George Washington.

advice?

 

[Leelah]

I think you can do MCH and International Health. A lot of programs have International Health as a focus within a larger track such as MCH. I may be wrong but it's worth looking at. I'm into Epi so I know for a fact that you can combine Epi and International.

Your ECs are pretty awesome, but you're right about your grades, I think, especially since you have a downward trend and no LORs. Doing a post-Bacc is one idea, but you can also DIY at a state school to save some money. Get As in some upper-level bio and soc classes and some good LORs and I think you'd have a much stronger application.

 

[360823]

Thanks leelah!

I found out that UT offers certificates in public health, would that be better than going for the post-bacc that way I can show that I am capable of doing public health courses.

Would it be a good idea to contact the schools I am interested in and ask their advice?

 

[Wiingy]

Thanks leelah!

I found out that UT offers certificates in public health, would that be better than going for the post-bacc that way I can show that I am capable of doing public health courses.

Would it be a good idea to contact the schools I am interested in and ask their advice?

Contacting schools is probably the best course of action - requirements vary greatly by school/program and your 3.08 might be more than OK for a few of them.

 

[zmkelchn]

I recently graduated with an overall gpa of 3.08 and I believe my science gpa is roughly around 2.7-2.8. I majored in biology and minored in psychology. My grades started going down junior year and kept going down until I graduated. I also took the GRE but plan on taking it again. My overall score was 1000 (Q570 V430) and AW 4.5. Also because of my grades, I lack with the letters for recommendations.

I was actually originally pre-med but felt that it wasn't really right for me so I changed to public health my junior year which I believe is a better fit. I plan on doing mch/international health (I know I can only choose one).

As far as ec goes: I was a research training student, I volunteered on a medical trip in Panama, I was fundraising chair for that organization at my schools chapter, I was a member of an international medical fraternity, and did miscellaneous volunteering with a childrens hospital and a non-profit organization that raises money to provide clean water in Niger. This is my year off so I plan on volunteering for Red Cross.

I don't know if it would be a good idea to directly apply to a MPH program now. I was planning on doing a post-bacc that offered public health courses that I can take in addition to retaking some biology courses to bring my gpa up so I can be a better candidate for the MPH. My top choices are Boston, Columbia, and George Washington.

advice?

Although you have a downward trend, 3.08 is not the end of the world! I know people who have gone to Yale and other top programs with even less than a 3.0. With that being said, they had great ECs and letters of Rec. I would maybe take some PH classes at a local university, even if it's just two or three. It's what I'm planning on doing as well. My GPA is being killed by some of these upper level bio classes, and I want to go into health policy/mgmt with a focus in international health. I went form a 3.6 SO year to a 3.28 going into my last semester, and it is not due to lack of motivation. I just realized my interests have changed slightly. I will prob apply and as a backup, take classes at a local university (I'm from southeast PA, so prob a school in Philly)
Best of luck, let us know how it turns out!

 

[360823]

Although you have a downward trend, 3.08 is not the end of the world! I know people who have gone to Yale and other top programs with even less than a 3.0. With that being said, they had great ECs and letters of Rec. I would maybe take some PH classes at a local university, even if it's just two or three. It's what I'm planning on doing as well. My GPA is being killed by some of these upper level bio classes, and I want to go into health policy/mgmt with a focus in international health. I went form a 3.6 SO year to a 3.28 going into my last semester, and it is not due to lack of motivation. I just realized my interests have changed slightly. I will prob apply and as a backup, take classes at a local university (I'm from southeast PA, so prob a school in Philly)
Best of luck, let us know how it turns out!

It was discouraging with the grades I received even though I worked hard but the past is the past. I contacted BU and they told me that I should just take a few PH classes as well and I should be fine.

 

[zmkelchn]

It was discouraging with the grades I received even though I worked hard but the past is the past. I contacted BU and they told me that I should just take a few PH classes as well and I should be fine.

That is encouraging, considering I will be doing the same

 

[360823]

That is encouraging, considering I will be doing the same

They recommend biostatistics and epidemiology. Good luck!