Keep working, get an MPH/MS, or just apply directly to a doctorate?

[Regression]

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Hey, guys

Just wondering if I have a shot at doctorate programs in public health (notably either health services research or behavioral sciences)

I go to an R1 school (no public health program here, though)
Majors: Psychology (behavioral focus) and Economics (microecon focus)
GPA: cGPA = 3.5, PSY-GPA = 3.93, ECON-GPA = 3.5, last 2 year GPA = 3.7
GRE: 1330; 560V, 770Q, 4.5A
Research Experience: 1 year in behavioral studies lab, 2 quarters in cognitive neuroscience lab, doing my honor's thesis next year (so will be another 1 year on the total) on various judgment and decision-making paradigms in medical and gambling contexts.
LoRs: should have 2 solid ones right now; have 3-4 pretty mediocre ones if I ask them; will probably have another solid one next year after my thesis is done.
Work Experience: 1 year as a computer programmer analyst; in the works of getting a lab tech/research associate job in an health outcomes research center.
Other: Fluent/Literate in English and Spanish

I was originally opting to go into experimental psychology, but lately I've been more interested in health psychology/public health. At first, I thought I would go for an MPH, but I seem to have a passion for research. I've read about what Health Services Research programs emphasize, and it's actually convenient in that both my majors come in handy. I like being in a lab, but I also get a kick out of knowing that something I'm doing is benefiting others directly.

Anyway, if anyone here knows generally what my shots are, please let me know--whether it's good or bad news. Most PH programs aren't the greatest at publishing admit statistics, and it seems to be nonexistent at the Ph.D. level 🙁

So given I'm offered this job (and have the option of working for any n amount of time), should I work on getting more public health-related research, get an MPH/MSPH (something I'd rather not do since it'd be hard for me to finance that--unless there are some schools that offer fellowships to masters students), or apply this fall? If I apply now, I'd have to lighten my workload both academically and financially, which would make the rest of the year harder for me to graduate on time and just so I can pay the bills. This is the reason I'd rather not apply until I have some kind of assurance that it's either worth my time or that I'm way in over my head.

Thanks to anyone who read the whole thing!

 

[Stories]

Many of the PH schools require a master's level degree before enrolling in PhD-level programs. This was true of probably 60% of the schools I applied to.

At other schools where the master's wasn't required, the competitive applicants all do have master's. This is primarily because there aren't a lot of undergraduate programs that have the curricula which leads nicely into most PH PhD studies.

Definitely apply to PhD programs. But also apply to MA/MS programs because you never know. And while PH schools generally don't publish their statistics, PhD (as with ANY PhD program) is ultra competitive. Acceptance rates to any PhD program is in the 2-10% range (for reference, Yale: http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/academics/profiles 2008/epidemiologypublichealth.html).

 

[Regression]

Thanks very much for the information, Stories! And seeing the admit stats, congrats on getting in!

I think I may try applying to 2-4 first choice programs this year (after thoroughly researching faculty I'd like to work with) so I can balance work, school, and applications. If I get in, there's no need to stay--if not, I'll get another year of work experience and (optimistically) get something published in this year and then apply to more schools (both MA/MS and Ph.D. level) and then commit from there.

Also, one question--I noticed the Epi title on the link you referred to; are those stats for Epi only or for the entire PH program? I'm not exactly sure, but I always thought Epi/Biostat concentrations were always the most competitive whereas behavioral sciences/health research aren't so impacted. I could be totally wrong, though.

 

[Stories]

Thanks, Regression. I was highly surprised when Yale wanted to interview me, let alone accept me afterwards. It's definitely an honor to be considered for such a competitive program.

As for the stats on Yale, that is for the entire SPH (Epidemiology and Public Health is the name of the "division" within the Graduate School, since the Graduate School is the one that confers the PhD degree).

Good luck with your application. It's a pain in the butt, but it'll be worth it once you're there.

 

[Regression]

So I think I'm going to apply for a few MPH's.

Stories, or anyone else who may know--do you think I'd be competitive for UMich Behavior and Health Education program? There are three faculty members I would love to work with there and don't know how I'd stack up against other applicants.

Edit: forgot to ask about UCLA's CHS MPH program, too! I would actually prefer the latter since I'm in-state and would save a lot of money, too.

 

[Stories]

So I think I'm going to apply for a few MPH's.

Stories, or anyone else who may know--do you think I'd be competitive for UMich Behavior and Health Education program? There are three faculty members I would love to work with there and don't know how I'd stack up against other applicants.

Edit: forgot to ask about UCLA's CHS MPH program, too! I would actually prefer the latter since I'm in-state and would save a lot of money, too.

UMich has somewhere around a 50% admit rate and UCLA's is around 40%. So you should have a pretty good shot of getting in to either program. You never know unless you apply, right? 😀

Why not look at Cal's program? They've got a pretty solid SPH.

 

[Regression]

Def looking at it, too; I'm mainly looking at the labs and research being done since I'm looking more towards an MS than an MPH.