MHA and Work Experience

[blueguy718]

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Hey,

New to this forums here. I tried searching for topics related to work experience and applying to an MHA program, but didn't find much. So, I figured I'd post my question here.

Regarding some of the top Public Health schools (UMich, John Hopkins, UNC, etc.), how important is work experience when applying to an MHA program? I understand that the majority of MPH degrees require prior work experience, but it seems to be a mixed bag when applying specifically for an MHA program--some schools prefer work experience, and others really don't have a preference and would gladly take in students straight from undergrad. Nevertheless, I've been having a tough time trying to find such specific information on the top ranked Public Health schools. So, some help would be great.

As for a little background, I'm a student at one of those "name-brand" universities. My coursework is chock full of business/health policy courses, but I'd like to get an MHA to better understand the finances and management of health care. Ultimately, I'd like to work in the hospital setting or in consulting. After a few years out of an MHA program, I'd also probably go back and get an MBA to be a bit more competitive and well-rounded candidate.

Thanks for the help!

 

[tcf4141]

we sound like we are in the EXACT same situation...what are your stats like? are you taking the GRE or the GMAT? and what is a "name brand school"??

 

[blueguy718]

Well, I'm not worried about numbers. GPA is Magna Cum Laude range (3.8-3.89 range at my school), Ivy League University, and I already took the GMAT with a score slightly above 700 (I've worked for the Kaplan Center the past 2 years, so I get a lot of free access to their study materials. On a side note, don't take the Test Prep courses if you can self study with TestPrep books. They're the same exact thing if you're motivated enough to self study).

Thus, I'm just interested in knowing a lot more about the work experience factor when it comes to applying for MHA programs. I've only had intern experience (community health center in Africa), which doesn't exactly qualify as full-time work experience.

So...come on MHA students, help us out. Please?

 

[tcf4141]

wow, you sound really overqualified. you will have no problem at all.....ive talked to some schools and every school said work experience is not required. internship is preferred. but with your stats, it won't matter either way. your a lock for sure. also, I signed up to take a Kaplan GMAT course this summer and I am currently studying the princeton review cracking the GMAT book. what is your advice for the GMAT? thanks for the help. What schools do you want information on?

 

[blueguy718]

Personally, I think the GMAT is easier to study for, having gone through a lot of the prep work while I worked at the Kaplan Center. Still, just take the one that plays to your strengths, because I know it differs between people.

As for me, I studied the GMAT in a month during the school year. I didn't want to spread out studying the material over too much time, so I concentrated it into about 8-10 hours of studying a week (Thursday nights and Saturday mornings). Honestly, just keep taking practice tests--I think that's the best way to approach it. From personal experience, the Princeton Review guidebook had questions more similar to the actual GMAT (compared to the Kaplan book anyway). One thing I found helpful was whenever I got a question wrong (or I just found it difficult to work through), I would write it down on a notecard. Then, whenever I had free time during the day or in-between classes, I would just take out the notecards and redo the problems. You start to get real comfortable with problem solving that way.

Otherwise, if you have any information on UMich-Ann Arbor, John Hopkins, Virginia Commonwealth (VCU), or UNC-Chapel Hill, I'd be greatly appreciative. We should keep tabs on each other...we'll be applying to the same class year.

 

[frali]

I know that Hopkins MHA admin is impressed with international work experience. If that is at all possible I would do some work abroad. If not, then possibly community-type work and even work in a business setting would help since the MHA classes are very business-oriented.

I took the GRE for the MHA program because I knew I didn't want to do an MBA and with the GRE you are flexible. I know the quan section is weighed more heavily (I did much better on the quan section than verbal).

You can even email Teresa Schwartz about the program in order to get more information on what they are looking for and also make your name familiar to the admissions team.

 

[tcf4141]

i actually did email her. She asked for my resume and I sent it to her. She wrote back saying that I look like I am doing all the right things and to definately apply for next year. I go to a very small public state school in PA. It is not recognized well and was wondering if that would play a role in the admissions decision to grad schools, particularly MHA programs nationwide?

 

[tammyvlt]

Hey,

I got into the MHA/MPH management track programs at U of M, VCU, UNC-Chapel Hill, Columbia, and George Washington-with basically no related work experience (I volunteered at an administrative office for a summer...that's it). It seems like most Columbia, U of M, and VCU students are pretty young/inexperienced. I know UNC values work experience (they even told me very few people straight from undergrad get in), but hey, I still got in.

I go to U of M, and my stats are the average for admitted students at those schools..so it seems like your LORs and personal statement are just as important as your stats. Basically, I dont think you need to worry about getting into MHA programs at all! Your biggest dilemma will probably be choosing where to go..like me right now..😳

If you have more specific questions let me know, I went through what you are going through now only a few months ago...good luck!

 

[tcf4141]

hey, thanks! would you mind posting ur stats? did u take gre or gmat? wht type of undergrad school r u from? thanks for all of the help!

 

[tcf4141]

also, can you go a little more indepth as to what your postion in the summer was? was it an internship? was it paid? how did you go about getting it? also, did you get any scholarship money or is that very hard to come by for MHA students? thaanks again!

 

[frali]

That's great! Then keep up what you are doing. Don't worry so much about your current school. Will you be doing your MHA right after undergrad? As long as you have good grades and have a good statement and LORs you will be fine. Start working on these parts of your application as early as possible.

Good luck!

i actually did email her. She asked for my resume and I sent it to her. She wrote back saying that I look like I am doing all the right things and to definately apply for next year. I go to a very small public state school in PA. It is not recognized well and was wondering if that would play a role in the admissions decision to grad schools, particularly MHA programs nationwide?

 

[tcf4141]

yea i plan on applying right after my undergrad. i graduate next spring 2010...when do i apply for grad programs? i heard that it should be in october of the fall 2009 but what do i do about my courses that i am taking and the courses that will be taken during the spring 2010 semester...should i wait until final grades for the fall2009 semester are submitted and then send the transcript? should i also send a schedule of courses to be taken for the spring 2010? thanks again for all of the help!!!

 

[FireCloud9]

What does MHA/MPH yield ($) upon completion?

If one has an MBA already, is there much advantage or well paying career possibilities by combining with MHA or MPH?

 

[tcf4141]

it depends what you wanna do for your job....do you want to work within healthcare management?

 

[frali]

I think the best time to start planning to apply would be September 2009. Even before that you can sort out your recommendation letters, take the GRE during the summer and also think about what you want to write in your personal statement. It's never too early to start! I started early (I sent off all parts of the application very early november) and it paid off. SOPHAS can start to take a while to send applications over the later you wait.

Basically you send your transcript up until the semester you apply then when you graduate you have your final transcript sent. I applied after I graduated but I think you show what classes you will be taking in your last semesters.

yea i plan on applying right after my undergrad. i graduate next spring 2010...when do i apply for grad programs? i heard that it should be in october of the fall 2009 but what do i do about my courses that i am taking and the courses that will be taken during the spring 2010 semester...should i wait until final grades for the fall2009 semester are submitted and then send the transcript? should i also send a schedule of courses to be taken for the spring 2010? thanks again for all of the help!!!