I recently heard back from Harvard School of Public Health, and was accepted into their SM2 program in epidemiology. My plan is to go for a doctoral degree, and I have been accepted into other doctoral programs with a similar focus in molecular epidemiology. While the doctoral programs are offering full tuition remission, stipend, and health care, I will end up paying 80K for harvard. I don't care about name, but harvard is top in epi, which may open doors and be worth it down the line. The doctoral programs I'm looking at, at UW and Wash U St. Louis, are also highly ranked in their fields. Would Harvard be worth the money? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Is Harvard Worth the Money?
- Thread starter Cissia
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I was also wondering if Harvard is worth the money, since being admitted to the Global Health program for an SM. I thankfully have lots of other options but after looking at the current faculty research, HSPH is tempting. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
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Cissia,
For your specific situation, I would be inclined to say that Harvard is not worth the money. You ultimately plan to get a PhD...so, if other programs (which are ranked *high* in your field) are offering you admission into their PhD program, then I would say that is the best option.
Getting a Masters from Harvard would only serve to help you get into a PhD program...so unless your dream is to get a PhD from Harvard specifically, then it sounds as though getting your Masters won't do you too much good (at least not 80K worth).
UWash is a fantastic school for public health, as are many others. There does not seem to be a huge gap in opportunities for those attending top ~10 PH schools. I would ask both programs about their alumni and compare where they end up.
Also, when trying to decide, location may be a factor as well. If Boston is where you want to be next year, then Harvard may be the better choice.
Overall, I think Harvard clearly has a wonderful program (after all, it's my top choice). If Harvard is your dream school or if there are particular faculty there that you are inspired by, then perhaps Harvard is worth the money. If you plan on going into academia, then Harvard would be a wise choice as well. However, it seems as though there is not much of a difference between top schools in terms of where your degree will get you and the opportunies that become available. I think that UWash (and many others) are widely recognized in the public health field as being very impressive schools. I have even seen a comment on this board that said BU, in some respects, was just as good as Harvard (according to a Harvard professor)...especially if you were interested in a field such as pharma policy.
Anyway, good luck with your decisions! I think talking with current students and faculty from your potential schools is the best way to make a decision. If you explain your dilemma, I bet they would be willing to offer some (hopefully) honest advice.
For your specific situation, I would be inclined to say that Harvard is not worth the money. You ultimately plan to get a PhD...so, if other programs (which are ranked *high* in your field) are offering you admission into their PhD program, then I would say that is the best option.
Getting a Masters from Harvard would only serve to help you get into a PhD program...so unless your dream is to get a PhD from Harvard specifically, then it sounds as though getting your Masters won't do you too much good (at least not 80K worth).
UWash is a fantastic school for public health, as are many others. There does not seem to be a huge gap in opportunities for those attending top ~10 PH schools. I would ask both programs about their alumni and compare where they end up.
Also, when trying to decide, location may be a factor as well. If Boston is where you want to be next year, then Harvard may be the better choice.
Overall, I think Harvard clearly has a wonderful program (after all, it's my top choice). If Harvard is your dream school or if there are particular faculty there that you are inspired by, then perhaps Harvard is worth the money. If you plan on going into academia, then Harvard would be a wise choice as well. However, it seems as though there is not much of a difference between top schools in terms of where your degree will get you and the opportunies that become available. I think that UWash (and many others) are widely recognized in the public health field as being very impressive schools. I have even seen a comment on this board that said BU, in some respects, was just as good as Harvard (according to a Harvard professor)...especially if you were interested in a field such as pharma policy.
Anyway, good luck with your decisions! I think talking with current students and faculty from your potential schools is the best way to make a decision. If you explain your dilemma, I bet they would be willing to offer some (hopefully) honest advice.
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I'm with ImPublicHealthy: If you've already been accepted to a top-ranked doctoral program, I would not waste your time or money on a SM at Harvard, unless you have your heart set on also attending Harvard for your PhD. Personally, I wouldn't want to go through this whole application ordeal again in 1 1/2 years if I didn't have to! 
Also, consider that if you did go to Harvard for the SM and then went on to a PhD program at another school, it's likely that some of your credits wouldn't transfer. For instance, at UW, you would have to take two quarters of intro epi courses all over again.
I highly recommend choosing the UW PhD program. I was accepted to the MS in Epi program and I'm, like, 99% sure I'm going to enroll. Did you attend UW Epi Visit Days this past Thursday and Friday? I was there and had a great time. Feel free to PM me if you'd like more info. I spent a lot of time talking with a 2nd-yr PhD student, as well as a few others. Plus, I've been living in Seattle for several years, so I could tell you a lot about what it's like to live here. 🙂
Also, consider that if you did go to Harvard for the SM and then went on to a PhD program at another school, it's likely that some of your credits wouldn't transfer. For instance, at UW, you would have to take two quarters of intro epi courses all over again. I highly recommend choosing the UW PhD program. I was accepted to the MS in Epi program and I'm, like, 99% sure I'm going to enroll. Did you attend UW Epi Visit Days this past Thursday and Friday? I was there and had a great time. Feel free to PM me if you'd like more info. I spent a lot of time talking with a 2nd-yr PhD student, as well as a few others. Plus, I've been living in Seattle for several years, so I could tell you a lot about what it's like to live here. 🙂
