I don't think you're reaching at all-- you have strong GRE scores, a high GPA, and experience that is relevant to your interests. You're honestly probably on the safe side-- I think you could add a few more top schools if they have relevant research & faculty members. As such, if you can convey your interests well, I do think you have a chance at scholarships-- especially at the tier you're currently applying for!
I don't think it matters much! I changed some of the language in mine but do whatever feels comfortable and you have time to do
Yes, I think you can submit to schools and SOPHAS will verify as long as the parts that are your responsibility are done. The LORs and test scores don't have to be in to submit, but schools themselves won't review the applications until they receive the full app so I'd get those LORs in before the deadlines/ASAP. (I asked this question at Berkeley's Prospective Student Day)
what is the status on your application?
I did submit both scores but have no idea how the schools look at them.
@php2019 I know some schools only look at the test with the highest quant score (like Berkeley) but I'm not sure what other schools do with multiple scores.
Great to hear! I hope it will be quick for me too, then. Once you send in your GRE to each school's sophas code, will it tell you on Sophas that they received it?
It says that it is complete for each school
). I'll try to visit again if Berkeley ends up being a top choice.
Yeah, there were a lot of questionable things in the thread last year-- plus they charge a high supplemental fee
you can call them, they're really helpful and quick at responding! Good luck!
I think that your GPA is close enough to a 3.0 that most schools won’t dismiss your application because of this. Did you mention anywhere on your application that you had outside factors that influenced your grades? In the classes relevant to an MPH did you perform better?
I tried to find the place to explain that on SOPHAS, but couldn't find the right spot. This is why I'm considering emailing them... But on my transcript, it shows I got good grades from all public health classes and my major GPA is 3.5 so.. I didn't mention that on my SOP because it was meant for my achievement. Do you think I should email each school and explain briefly of my situation?
Does any of the schools you applied to require a supplemental application? Sometimes it’s on there. I had failed a class and briefly mentioned it in my SOP and it ended up not impacting my application at all. I don’t know if emailing them would be the thing to do, but I would definitely as your advisor or someone from the pre-health center at your university. They’d have a better idea of how to handle this.
Only one school, UC Irvine, requires a supplemental app and personal history statement which I will include my explanation. For other schools, no. But I only submitted app for one school for now and I could add details in my SOP for each school. Do you think it's okay?
I spent so long trying to find a place to explain my GPA on the SOPHAS app. I finally found it though. You can explain in 600 characters in this section: "supporting information" --> "additional experiences" --> "Description of other information relevant to the Admissions Committee:"
What if I already submitted the application? It says it cannot be edited after submission...
Yes, definitely email the schools. One school offered me to send them a PDF of an addendum and attach it to my application.
Great. Will do. Thank you so much!
After you submit your first application to a school, paid the app fee, wait until the app has been verified, then you can view your GPA in the school app PDF
It took Yale a month to give me confirmation and Emory took a while too. You should be fine!
