MPH 2019: Applied, Waitlisted, Accepted!

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acn2019 said:
I reached out to a professor at JHU and we are meeting on admitted students day! I’m not sure I will get an RAship with her, but I think she will consider me if they have an opening in the Fall.

I followed the advice they give people looking for a PhD advisor: read about a ton of professors and find one whose research is really actually interesting to you. Read some of their papers. Try to find a project that is ongoing. I emailed a professor and mentioned her current research that I found interesting (that would be continuing next year), explained how my background would be useful for that research, and asked if she would be taking on more research assistants.
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Hi acn. I wanted to talk to you over DM but unable to do so. Please hit me up! 🙂
 
Cassatrass said:
Emory has REAL, which is like a work-study that you can use with Emory professors or local institutions (CDC, Carter Center, American Cancer Society, CARE, Task Force for Global Health, etc). They don't "match" you, but the applications open in August and you can apply to any that interest you! Everyone I know who was awarded REAL found a position and they continue posting them throughout the semester. The pay isn't great, but the experience is amazing.
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Although REAL is a great opportunity, REAL do not have any tuition benefits, and I think they pay only 2500$ per semester (less than 500$ per month). But for example, UMN pays almost 16$/hr for RA positions + tuition benefits.
 
Cassatrass said:
Emory has REAL, which is like a work-study that you can use with Emory professors or local institutions (CDC, Carter Center, American Cancer Society, CARE, Task Force for Global Health, etc). They don't "match" you, but the applications open in August and you can apply to any that interest you! Everyone I know who was awarded REAL found a position and they continue posting them throughout the semester. The pay isn't great, but the experience is amazing.
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A related question: I remember you saying a little while back that a lot of people don't earn the full $2,500 REAL award per semester. In your experience is that because the professors/partnering institutions don't offer enough hours, or because students are unable/don't want to max out their hours?
 
MPAfya_19 said:
A related question: I remember you saying a little while back that a lot of people don't earn the full $2,500 REAL award per semester. In your experience is that because the professors/partnering institutions don't offer enough hours, or because students are unable/don't want to max out their hours?
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Generally it's because students are unable/unwilling to max out their hours. For a full-time student, it can be hard to get in the 16 hrs/week necessary to max that out. However, if you choose to work a little over breaks, it's far more likely that you'll reach it!

For the CDC, you have to start a little later in the fall due to the badging process, which can also impact your hours.

Memm77 said:
Although REAL is a great opportunity, REAL do not have any tuition benefits, and I think they pay only 2500$ per semester (less than 500$ per month). But for example, UMN pays almost 16$/hr for RA positions + tuition benefits.
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Yes, you're right. It's not very much, and current students are pushing to have the hourly amount ($12) raised within the next couple years. I do feel like many of the organizations that you can work with make up for this and can lead to future opportunities though. For example, for my CDC REAL position, I'm being hired full-time through ORISE over the summer. I'll be making MUCH better money then!

Also, as a native Minnesotan, I wanted more
exposure to an array of different organizations outside of the university & state health departments, which I don't feel like is available at UMN. It's all about making sure your interests align with the opportunities available!
 
Cassatrass said:
Generally it's because students are unable/unwilling to max out their hours. For a full-time student, it can be hard to get in the 16 hrs/week necessary to max that out. However, if you choose to work a little over breaks, it's far more likely that you'll reach it!

For the CDC, you have to start a little later in the fall due to the badging process, which can also impact your hours.
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Makes sense, thank you!
 
Anyone else happen to get an email from BU asking you to call them and provide your social security number? Seems odd to me to have to do that over the phone. Just looking for some validation before I fall victim to identify theft or something...
 
MPAfya_19 said:
Anyone else happen to get an email from BU asking you to call them and provide your social security number? Seems odd to me to have to do that over the phone. Just looking for some validation before I fall victim to identify theft or something...
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Most Unis prefer you give it to them over the phone as opposed to via email. Phone wasn't an option for me so I've given two schools my SSN via email now. Just make sure it's a legit number and you're good, its kosher!
 
MPAfya_19 said:
Anyone else happen to get an email from BU asking you to call them and provide your social security number? Seems odd to me to have to do that over the phone. Just looking for some validation before I fall victim to identify theft or something...
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I did. Thought it was really weird but did some googling and the number and email were legit. They had all of my address and student info on file too so it seemed to be correct.
 
cramerb83 said:
Most Unis prefer you give it to them over the phone as opposed to via email. Phone wasn't an option for me so I've given two schools my SSN via email now. Just make sure it's a legit number and you're good, its kosher!
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Mph576 said:
I did. Thought it was really weird but did some googling and the number and email were legit. They had all of my address and student info on file too so it seemed to be correct.
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I also googled the names/numbers and it seemed legit, but still felt weird about it somehow. Thank you both for answering! I'll give them a call.
 
ph133 said:
Maybe I’ve missed something, but I haven’t heard anything about UNC scholarships on this thread... Does anyone know what the timeline usually looks like and how strict they are with their scholarship criteria?
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A friend who graduated last year got a full ride from UNC. He got his offer in April. I'm yet to hear anything from them, though. It's so frustrating 🙁🙁🙁
 
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Anyone going to Columbia's Admitted Students Reception tomorrow or Admitted Students Day on Friday?
 
flawedmph said:
Awesome! Do you know what the details are for the reception tomorrow? I have yet to receive anything...

Got the agenda for Friday though and I'm super excited!
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When you are there, could you please ask current students if there are any research opportunities for first year students as well as how competitive it is to get a research position? Unfortunately, I can't make either of the admitted student days 🙂
 
MuppetLord said:
When you are there, could you please ask current students if there are any research opportunities for first year students as well as how competitive it is to get a research position? Unfortunately, I can't make either of the admitted student days 🙂
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Of course!
I will say though, I vaguely remember a program rep saying that first-years are not allowed to hold RAships and TAships during the first year due to the difficulty of the CORE. You may be able to volunteer as an RA, however. Although that wouldn't be ideal. But I will get some clarification on this!
 
flawedmph said:
Awesome! Do you know what the details are for the reception tomorrow? I have yet to receive anything...

Got the agenda for Friday though and I'm super excited!
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Yes, they sent something just a bit ago. Did you get it? Also, how dressy do you think it will be? I’m going to a networking event tonight for JHU, so I’ll try to guess based on that, but I feel like New York alums could be dressier than DC.
 
flawedmph said:
Of course!
I will say though, I vaguely remember a program rep saying that first-years are not allowed to hold RAships and TAships during the first year due to the difficulty of the CORE. You may be able to volunteer as an RA, however. Although that wouldn't be ideal. But I will get some clarification on this!
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I will ask this also and it will be pretty make or break for me. I am already talking with a professor I really like at JHU about research and I don’t think I want to give up that experience (or money). Not being able to research at Columbia would basically negate the cost of living difference from Baltimore.
 
krequals10 said:
Rejection from UCLA 🙁

Can't wait to hear from people attending the Columbia Admitted Students' Day! Bring us back all the info!
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Sorry to hear that. 🙁 I've been there, and it's important to know that the rejection does not reflect on your application. On the bright side, you still have amazing options to choose from! Hang in there! 😀
 
acn2019 said:
Yes, they sent something just a bit ago. Did you get it? Also, how dressy do you think it will be? I’m going to a networking event tonight for JHU, so I’ll try to guess based on that, but I feel like New York alums could be dressier than DC.
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Yes I did!

I'm planning on going business casual. Not a suit or anything but just slacks and a blouse. Or maybe a dress with tights (fleece ones because brrrrr). I also tend to stress out about under- or over-dressing for things so maybe I'll call the admissions office tomorrow morning to double check!
 
Undergrad School: Small liberal arts - top 25
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.6
Major/Minor: BA Psych
GRE: V: 157, Q: 157, W: 4.0
Experience/Research
- Internships in undergrad working as health liaison for refugees and at a policy org
- 1 year AmeriCorps VISTA researching food insecurity
- 1 year AmeriCorps in Health focused program teaching and building health ed programs in food pantry with international populations


LOR: 1st AmeriCorps Supervisor, 2nd AmeriCorps Program Director, 1 from community health nurse/professor who I worked with as an AmeriCorps member


Interests: Global health, behavioral health, health disparities

Applying: UC Berkeley (12/01), Harvard MPH 65 (11/28), Yale (12/02), UNC (11/26), JHU MSPH (12/02), Columbia (11/28), Pitt (11/12), BU (12/02), Emory (12/02)

Accepted: Harvard (HSB) (02/21), UNC (in-state) (GH) (12/21), JHU MSPH (SBI) (02/21), Columbia (02/05), Pitt (01/17), BU + $ (01/02), Emory (12/11)

Waitlisted:
Rejected:

I am feeling incredibly torn between JHU, Harvard and UNC (in-state) but am also very grateful to be in this position. I am not sure whether I would like to pursue a PhD later in my career. I am particularly interested in global health, program design, implementation and evaluation and working with marginalized populations. I was accepted to the HSB program at Harvard - didn't apply to global health but am thinking of switching if I attend. I didn't want my experience to feel rushed so I decided the MSPH at JHU was a better fit than MPH. I am looking for more experiential learning - but also know that if I put in the effort I could find that at all three schools. I have not received any info regarding financial aid so that could be a deciding factor. I plan to attend accepted students day at all three and am hoping that will provide more insight.

Can anyone here please advise?
 
I'm also in a similar boat! Super lucky to be accepted to Harvard's HSB but second guessed if I should have applied to Global Health. I still think HSB is the best fit for me but I'll be asking looking into taking GH classes and international practicum opps for HSB students. At the end of the day, I'm not sure what decision I'll make- if Harvard seems worth it or if I'll go with other quality MPH programs that have given me a lot of merit aid. I also really value experiential and collaborative learning so am trying to get a feel for the programs. Unfortunately, I can't attend visit days because I'm working abroad right now, but it's good to learn from other people on this forum.

klt18 said:
Undergrad School: Small liberal arts - top 25
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.6
Major/Minor: BA Psych
GRE: V: 157, Q: 157, W: 4.0
Experience/Research
- Internships in undergrad working as health liaison for refugees and at a policy org
- 1 year AmeriCorps VISTA researching food insecurity
- 1 year AmeriCorps in Health focused program teaching and building health ed programs in food pantry with international populations


LOR: 1st AmeriCorps Supervisor, 2nd AmeriCorps Program Director, 1 from community health nurse/professor who I worked with as an AmeriCorps member


Interests: Global health, behavioral health, health disparities

Applying: UC Berkeley (12/01), Harvard MPH 65 (11/28), Yale (12/02), UNC (11/26), JHU MSPH (12/02), Columbia (11/28), Pitt (11/12), BU (12/02), Emory (12/02)

Accepted: Harvard (HSB) (02/21), UNC (in-state) (GH) (12/21), JHU MSPH (SBI) (02/21), Columbia (02/05), Pitt (01/17), BU + $ (01/02), Emory (12/11)

Waitlisted:
Rejected:

I am feeling incredibly torn between JHU, Harvard and UNC (in-state) but am also very grateful to be in this position. I am not sure whether I would like to pursue a PhD later in my career. I am particularly interested in global health, program design, implementation and evaluation and working with marginalized populations. I was accepted to the HSB program at Harvard - didn't apply to global health but am thinking of switching if I attend. I didn't want my experience to feel rushed so I decided the MSPH at JHU was a better fit than MPH. I am looking for more experiential learning - but also know that if I put in the effort I could find that at all three schools. I have not received any info regarding financial aid so that could be a deciding factor. I plan to attend accepted students day at all three and am hoping that will provide more insight.

Can anyone here please advise?
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flawedmph said:
Of course!
I will say though, I vaguely remember a program rep saying that first-years are not allowed to hold RAships and TAships during the first year due to the difficulty of the CORE. You may be able to volunteer as an RA, however. Although that wouldn't be ideal. But I will get some clarification on this!
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That's great to know, thank you very much!
 
Hi all! I know I am a little late to the forum, but I just decided I needed to get on one of these to keep up with other people pursing their MPH! My GPA and GRE were not good at all, but I was hoping my research experience and recommendations would make up for it.
Undergrad School: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (expected May 2019)
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.09 SOPHAS verified
Major/Minor: B.S. Psychology/ B.A. Criminal Justice
GRE (including date taken): 10/18 Verbal: 142 (17%) Quant: 144 (16%) Analytical Writing: 3.5 (41%)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 years in an undergraduate research lab as a lead research assistant
- Internship with a grant funded research lab
- Published abstract, 3 regional conference presentations (2 being oral presentations) & 1 national conference presentation (also being oral)
- Undergraduate Honors Thesis where I was considered P.I. (will be submitted for publication in June)

LOR: one from mentor and P.I. in the lab I have been apart of for 2 years, one from a member of my honors committee, and last one from the honors coordinator over the department of Psychological Science.

Interests: MPH in Social and Behavioral Science or Community Health

Applying: Temple University (11/10), Rutgers (11/10), UNLV (10/26), SDSU (1/31), UNCC (1/9)

Accepted: Temple University (2/27), Rutgers (12/14), UNCC (1/24), SDSU (2/26)
Denied:
Waitlisted:
 
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PCCHC17 said:
I'm also in a similar boat! Super lucky to be accepted to Harvard's HSB but second guessed if I should have applied to Global Health. I still think HSB is the best fit for me but I'll be asking looking into taking GH classes and international practicum opps for HSB students. At the end of the day, I'm not sure what decision I'll make- if Harvard seems worth it or if I'll go with other quality MPH programs that have given me a lot of merit aid. I also really value experiential and collaborative learning so am trying to get a feel for the programs. Unfortunately, I can't attend visit days because I'm working abroad right now, but it's good to learn from other people on this forum.
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Current Harvard MPH65 in Global Health. DM me if you have questions 🙂
 
suecakep said:
This may be different for everyone, but when did you hear about your financial aid from Tulane? I got accepted in November and haven't heard from them since regarding $$. Thanks!
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I never heard back from the financial aid office but my acceptance letter was updated on Feb 15 with a scholarship and I was admitted Nov. 26
 
What do people think about reaching out to researchers who are outside of your concentration?

At UNC, I've been accepted to the Health Behavior concentration but came across a faculty member in the Health Policy and Management department whose research interests align PERFECTLY with mine.
 
bcobb7 said:
Hi all! I know I am a little late to the forum, but I just decided I needed to get on one of these to keep up with other people pursing their MPH! My GPA and GRE were not good at all, but I was hoping my research experience and recommendations would make up for it.
Undergrad School: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (expected May 2019)
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.09 SOPHAS verified
Major/Minor: B.S. Psychology/ B.A. Criminal Justice
GRE (including date taken): 10/18 Verbal: 142 (17%) Quant: 144 (16%) Analytical Writing: 3.5 (41%)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 years in an undergraduate research lab as a lead research assistant
- Internship with a grant funded research lab
- Published abstract, 3 regional conference presentations (2 being oral presentations) & 1 national conference presentation (also being oral)
- Undergraduate Honors Thesis where I was considered P.I. (will be submitted for publication in June)

LOR: one from mentor and P.I. in the lab I have been apart of for 2 years, one from a member of my honors committee, and last one from the honors coordinator over the department of Psychological Science.

Interests: MPH in Social and Behavioral Science or Community Health

Applying: Temple University (11/10), Rutgers (11/10), UNLV (10/26), SDSU (1/31), UNCC (1/9)

Accepted: Temple University (2/27), Rutgers (12/14), UNCC (1/24)
Denied:
Waitlisted:
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I wouldn't worry too much, take a peek at my GPA if you want to feel better! Luckily the schools that can afford to be a bit more selective have more holistic app reviews so you still stand a chance even if you don't hit their GPA "requirements".
 
MPAfya_19 said:
I also googled the names/numbers and it seemed legit, but still felt weird about it somehow. Thank you both for answering! I'll give them a call.
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I got the same message but from GWU... It went to my spam folder too so I'm super confused. While the email looks legit at first glance, the links were not properly hyperlinked and there was no signature line/ GW logos other than "The Office of Financial Assistance." I would look up the financial aid office numbers through the website of the school you got the email from (not from the links they sent), then contact them directly that way to make sure you didn't receive some sort of phishing email.
 
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GWU is such a hot mess.

First they lead me to submit the CSS Profile ($50 fee!), then they tell me that I was never eligible for aid in the first place. I raise the issue, they offer me a $100 tuition credit (hahahahahaha). Then two different FAO people contact me asking for my SSN so they can connect my app to my CSS Profile because they can't find my financial info. I do that. One week later, they tell me they can't issue me financial aid because they don't have my SSN. I give it to them AGAIN, and they tell me to continue monitoring my GWeb page.

I was never given access to a GWeb page.

Have nearly lost every shred of interest I had in attending this school.
 
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cramerb83 said:
GWU is such a hot mess.

First they lead me to apply for the CSS Profile ($50 fee!), then they tell me that I was never eligible for aid in the first place. I raise the issue, they offer me a $100 tuition credit (hahahahahaha). Then two different FAO people contact me asking for my SSN so they can connect my app to my CSS Profile because they can't find my financial info. I do that. One week later, they tell me they can't issue me financial aid because they don't have my SSN. I give it to them AGAIN, and they tell me to continue monitoring my GWeb page.

I was never given access to a GWeb page.

Have nearly lost every shred of interest I had in attending this school.
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Yeah my experiences with them during the application process have really reduced my desire to go there, and they were up in my top two choices before applying! For such an expensive program they don’t seem to have much to offer by way of student relations.
 
cramerb83 said:
GWU is such a hot mess.

First they lead me to apply for the CSS Profile ($50 fee!), then they tell me that I was never eligible for aid in the first place. I raise the issue, they offer me a $100 tuition credit (hahahahahaha). Then two different FAO people contact me asking for my SSN so they can connect my app to my CSS Profile because they can't find my financial info. I do that. One week later, they tell me they can't issue me financial aid because they don't have my SSN. I give it to them AGAIN, and they tell me to continue monitoring my GWeb page.

I was never given access to a GWeb page.

Have nearly lost every shred of interest I had in attending this school.
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I’m glad I’m not the only person who feels this way. I didn’t even end up submitting a CSS Profile and I keep getting those emails and calls and suggestions to check my web page (?). They are also just so RUDE to me in any format of communication! It’s unfortunate that a school with such strong academic programs and a great location has such a bumbling mess of an admissions office, and I’m gearing up to turn down my offer this week.
 
a little confused.... is this an acceptance?:

"Congratulations! On behalf of the Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) division at the Berkeley School of Public Health, we are excited to reach out to you regarding your recommended admission into the MPH program in Global Health and Environment for Fall 2019. "
 
mika444 said:
a little confused.... is this an acceptance?:

"Congratulations! On behalf of the Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) division at the Berkeley School of Public Health, we are excited to reach out to you regarding your recommended admission into the MPH program in Global Health and Environment for Fall 2019. "
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Sounds like an acceptance to me! I don't know about Berkeley in particular, but lots of schools have to accept you through the specific program and through the "general" graduate school. But the program is the only one that actually matters. Congratulations!!
 
flawedmph said:
What do people think about reaching out to researchers who are outside of your concentration?

At UNC, I've been accepted to the Health Behavior concentration but came across a faculty member in the Health Policy and Management department whose research interests align PERFECTLY with mine.
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This is just word-of-mouth, but I've been told by both UNC students and faculty that Gillings is very flexible when it comes to advisors. It seems they really want you to "fit" and be able to pursue the direction you want. I'd reach out to that researcher if I were you - it couldn't hurt!
 
So it turns out that I’ve been accepted to UNC health policy (my 2nd choice) rather than UNC global health (1st choice). Does anyone know if there is flexibility within the curriculum for me to still pursue global health curricula/is it possible to switch concentrations at a later point? I’m interested in studying social determinants of health in a global context.
 
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