MHA admissions Fall '14

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Congrats! That's great news! When you say "in response", did they tell you informally in an email? Sorry, I'm just getting anxious :nailbiting: You think you're headed to Cornell ultimately?

Thanks! Hope you get the acceptance soon too! I had an earlier interview and wasn't originally told when I would get a decision, so I think my email just so happened to be convenient timing. Columbia is the only other school I'd really consider if accepted, but overall I still think I strongly prefer Cornell and will most likely be going.
 
Got an interview with Georgetown for Feb. 3rd. Anyone else heading to D.C. soon?
 
Hey everyone - I'm a current MHA student at UNC and would be happy to answer any questions about that program. I was going through this process last year and remember how much it helped to chat with people on here. Anyway, let me know and good luck with all your apps!

I'm excited to see a current student on the forum. I have an interview at UNC on Feb. 3 and am very excited as it is my first choice at this point. I have a few questions I've had trouble finding answers to via research online.

From your experience, what are new grads from the program receiving as starting salary offers? Money obviously isn't everything, but it definitely matters and I like to be informed and prepared as much as possible.

Do new grads seem to have any trouble getting jobs away from the southeast? Schools obviously have their strongest networks and percentage of placement in their own geographic area, but I'm hoping to find one that will make placement anywhere a possibility.

Do most students work part time, or solely concentrate on their studies?

Last of all, on a more personal note, what made you choose UNC and what other schools did you consider? Thanks for all your help!
 
So I definitely needed to take a few days after getting this news to digest it, but I'm totally ready to share now-

UNC admitted me to their MHA program! And this dancing banana pretty much sums up how I feel :banana:.

Now for some decision making...
 
So I definitely needed to take a few days after getting this news to digest it, but I'm totally ready to share now-

UNC admitted me to their MHA program! And this dancing banana pretty much sums up how I feel :banana:.

Now for some decision making...

Ugh, no kidding. But it sure is a fortunate situation! Congrats, can't wait to interview there!
 
Thanks! Hope you get the acceptance soon too! I had an earlier interview and wasn't originally told when I would get a decision, so I think my email just so happened to be convenient timing. Columbia is the only other school I'd really consider if accepted, but overall I still think I strongly prefer Cornell and will most likely be going.

Did you hear yet from Columbia?
 
Have an interview with SLU this month and VCU next month.
 
Congrats to everyone for their admissions, and good luck to those with upcoming interviews! 🙂
 
To KennedyAM- My app went out with the first SOPHAS mailing (10/17, I believe)

Re: applying to schools with higher name prestige and lower ranking rather than schools with higher ranking but less name prestige, here's my answer:

An MHA or an MPH in healthcare management is a professional degree, and in order to succeed professionally you need various personal capital: knowledge, hard skills, soft skills, the right experience, a broad and effective network, and a resume that can somehow pique the interest of hiring managers, among other things. U.S. news rankings can't possibly be the ultimate factor in deciding what the best school is for everyone. We all enter grad school with different experiences, skill sets, and needs that the rankings simply don't account for. All the programs I applied to I like for different reasons, certainly some more so than others, and as I move forward in the process my opinion changes.

So Yale will always have the Yale name. It's a validation. It says something special about you in every professional circle, whether it is health, business, journalism, or theatre. Then again, what are the big names in healthcare: Johns Hopkins? UCSF? Harvard? UNC? Names are beyond recognition, they are networks, they're an edge and edges are always important.

So Columbia and Yale and Johns Hopkins may not be in the top 5 but they have other attractors that set them apart, like 2 years w/a paid year residency for Hopkins, and many of your classes will be at the School of Management at Yale. They're also in the Northeast, which is an awesome place to live as a young adult and they have more connections to job opportunities in those respective areas.

U.S. News may have ranked University of Michigan as the #1 healthcare management school, but it just isn't for me. You honestly couldn't pay me to live there. Furthermore I'm not going to spend 2 years of my late twenties there when I could be somewhere else with a program that's just as good, and most likely fits my needs better. A #1 school doesn't guarantee you your dream job- You do that. It starts with a good education, but it's so much more than that. Work your connections, develop awesome relationships with your professors, land that internship that will get your foot in the door of that company you want to be working for when you graduate. Of course you still want to get into the best school possible, but I look at the rankings as more fluid than absolute.

So when I created my list of schools I took all of those things into consideration to create a collection of schools that represented the diversity of strong programs out there. If I knew I really didn't want to go to a school (regardless of their ranking) I didn't apply. I've lived places that really made me unhappy, so even though I know a program is amazing, if I'm not happy I won't do as well academically and professionally.

I suppose it just comes down to knowing myself, my limits, and my personal and academic ideal situations. I also know that my ideals may not be someone else's, so I would hope that in the best of all possible worlds, we would be able to self select into the programs that best reflect our individualities. And I seriously hope that isn't a pipe dream haha.

I just want to thank you because you just really put into perspective everyt random thought that has been swirling in my mind ever since I got my first invitation for an interview. Been finding it hard to explain to people who know the school rankings why I would rather attend Yale (who offered me admission) instead of attending my UMich interview. I live in the midwest but I'm lucky to live in the best city out here, Chicago, but I honestly can't stand to go back to a town smaller than where I went to high school! I am now dedicated to making myself aware of my limits, and my personal and academic ideal situation.
 
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Nope, and Cornell already wants a deposit before Columbia's decision even comes out 🤔. Have you heard anything from Cornell?

Wait what?! When does Cornell want the deposit by? I'm waiting on Cornell, UCLA and Columbia to decide between those schools and Yale. 😵
 
I just want to thank you because you just really put into perspective everyt random thought that has been swirling in my mind ever since I got my first invitation for an interview. Been finding it hard to explain to people who know the school rankings why I would rather attend Yale (who offered me admission) instead of attending my UMich interview. I live in the midwest but I'm lucky to live in the best city out here, Chicago, but I honestly can't stand to go back to a town smaller than where I went to high school! I am now dedicated to making myself aware of my limits, and my personal and academic ideal situation.

I'm so glad my explanation could help you out! I think there are many "right" routes people can take. But the main question is, how will you thrive?

Which is actually one of the hardest questions to answer! I, for one, will certainly be thinking about that the next few weeks.
 
Just received an email from Columbia (Department of Health Policy & Management) stating that I will be contacted by a current student for an "informal interview".
 
Just received an email from Columbia (Department of Health Policy & Management) stating that I will be contacted by a current student for an "informal interview".

Same. I didn't know they conducted interviews. This should be interesting.
 
Just received an email from Columbia (Department of Health Policy & Management) stating that I will be contacted by a current student for an "informal interview".

Ditto. I wonder if they're interviewing everyone.
 
Ditto. I wonder if they're interviewing everyone.

I doubt it as that would be a very lengthy process and there really isnt a need to interview a candidate whom the admission committee has rejected or not shortlisted for admission. MBA's for example only interview once the adcom has done a first pass and picked the candidated it really likes..The interview process is then conducted to make another round of selection...Although an INFORMAL interview is something i have never really heard of.
 
I doubt it as that would be a very lengthy process and there really isnt a need to interview a candidate whom the admission committee has rejected or not shortlisted for admission. MBA's for example only interview once the adcom has done a first pass and picked the candidated it really likes..The interview process is then conducted to make another round of selection...Although an INFORMAL interview is something i have never really heard of.

I imagine since students are conducting the interview, and that they are informal, that they will interview more applicants than schools who require formal in-person interviews, but just a thought.
 
I imagine since students are conducting the interview, and that they are informal, that they will interview more applicants than schools who require formal in-person interviews, but just a thought.

Could well be the case..But would they then reject applicants based on informal interviews 🙂 ? I like the fact that they are involving current students to participate in the admissions process...
 
I imagine since students are conducting the interview, and that they are informal, that they will interview more applicants than schools who require formal in-person interviews, but just a thought.

Well, the formal interview process, requiring professional attire and eloquent speech, is the norm. But more and more schools are beginning to understand the key behind interpretation is picking up on the student's "real personality" (as opposed to trained interview drone mode) through informal interactions. This interview may be labeled as informal but may count a significant amount since applicants are expected to "let their guard down". Overall, both formal and informal approaches are beneficial and I'm just glad to have the opportunity to be a part of both.
 
Could well be the case..But would they then reject applicants based on informal interviews 🙂 ? I like the fact that they are involving current students to participate in the admissions process...

Haha we could conjecture all day about that. Maybe they already love us and want to make sure we aren't robots! I really like that they involve current students as well. A bunch of students participated in the interview process at UNC and I think it made my experience so much more valuable.

Skyglider, I think you're exactly right. In fact, although professional attire is appropriate for the in-person or Skype interviews, I wouldn't classify any of the interviews I attended as traditional formal. They were relaxed experiences that focused as much on my reasons for grad school and resume as on my own career goals and personal fit with their program. Interpersonal skills and an engaging personality are such vital aspects of a career in business (in any sector) and it's great that different organizations look for it using different methods!
 
Per their website - Unofficially admitted to the University of Michigan for MHSA.

JQH this just prompted me to check my UM friend account and it said that I was recommended for admission and "recommendation will become official after certification"! When did you interview?
 
I interviewed two days ago and that's what it says on mine too! :highfive:
Hey,
Can you tell me a bit about the interview? Like was it relaxed? What were people wearing? Were you comfortable? Things like that if you are willing to share!
 
Also, congrats ac and skyglider. Is Michigan the first choice for either of you?
I think so- it is a fantastic program, and the price is right too. Even though I would be out of state, it is the most affordable program I'm looking at.

Do you think that message means we are definitely in?
 
I don't know for sure, but I think there would need to be something really wrong to cause them to void it. I'm just speculating, but I doubt they are doing anything more than a quick final check to make sure everything is kosher. I expect we will receive hard copy letters/packets in the mail sometime next week with official acceptances.
That's what I'm thinking...that would just be cruel if they didn't. I hope they email us too instead of waiting for the mail.
 
Congratulations to everyone who was admitted to Michigan! I'm sure you'll receive the official letter soon.

In other news, I withdrew my application from Columbia this morning. Good luck to everyone who has yet to participate in the informal interview!
 
I'm not sure how MHSA works, but after I received an email that I was recommended for admission from the department of epidemiology, I was accepted shortly afterwards. I am an MPH applicant so I'm not sure if there is a difference, but hopefully they have a standardized admissions process across the board with the exception of interviews for MHSA applicants.

This is at Michigan by the way.
 
Also, the Columbia informal interview was pretty laid back. Just the basic questions (tell me about yourself, why Columbia?, what do you hope to leave school with?, future goals?, etc...).
Wow you had your interview already?
 
I'm not sure how MHSA works, but after I received an email that I was recommended for admission from the department of epidemiology, I was accepted shortly afterwards. I am an MPH applicant so I'm not sure if there is a difference, but hopefully they have a standardized admissions process across the board with the exception of interviews for MHSA applicants.

This is at Michigan by the way.
Thanks Neurosci! That makes me feel better. Even though I don't think there was really anything to feel bad about, but I'm just in a state of constant anxiety 🙂
 
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