MPH 2019: Applied, Waitlisted, Accepted!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members don't see this ad.
EHS_MPHapplicant said:
I was hoping to create a space for discussion around tuition, debt, and loans, specifically for 2019-20 admissions. And hear others' thoughts on the potential financial burden of attending many of these excellent programs. It may be helpful if current MPH students could weigh in on the experience of managing finances while in a program/challenges/stress or share their program's culture around addressing these issues, and maybe offer advice?

TLDR; can we have a real conversation about funding?
Click to expand...

I agree, these programs are unaffordable for many of us. Finances is probably the biggest factor for me--I want to remain as debt-free as possible because this field isn't well paying after graduation--it's not like med school where you can be expected to recoup your (large) losses quickly(ish), and considering that by the time we graduate we might be well into a recession, I want to err on the side of caution.

I've applied to a range of schools I would be fine attending and think I can accomplish my goals at in hopes that I can get a significant scholarship at one. I also either have contacted or plan to contact individual schools regarding availability of TA/RA positions, whether there is tuition remission if you are working, residency (can you become a resident and get in-state tuition your second year?), CoL, availability of jobs for my boyfriend, etc.

If no options look like a worthwhile use of my time and money, I plan to take a more senior research position somewhere that I can take classes, get the basic basics under my belt enough to prove that I can handle the coursework, and then apply straight to PhD programs (or rethink my life decisions, lol).
 
Has Columbia released their decisions for all departments? I applied for Pop Fam and still haven't heard anything.
 
armchair_cosmonaut said:
I agree, these programs are unaffordable for many of us. Finances is probably the biggest factor for me--I want to remain as debt-free as possible because this field isn't well paying after graduation--it's not like med school where you can be expected to recoup your (large) losses quickly(ish), and considering that by the time we graduate we might be well into a recession, I want to err on the side of caution.

I've applied to a range of schools I would be fine attending and think I can accomplish my goals at in hopes that I can get a significant scholarship at one. I also either have contacted or plan to contact individual schools regarding availability of TA/RA positions, whether there is tuition remission if you are working, residency (can you become a resident and get in-state tuition your second year?), CoL, availability of jobs for my boyfriend, etc.

If no options look like a worthwhile use of my time and money, I plan to take a more senior research position somewhere that I can take classes, get the basic basics under my belt enough to prove that I can handle the coursework, and then apply straight to PhD programs (or rethink my life decisions, lol).
Click to expand...

You’re one of the top 3 strongest applicants in this forum in terms of stats, and I’m completely confident that you will obtain considerable amount of scholarships, at least one of them is certain; Columbia 50% tuition waiver (their criteria is: GPA 3.75 and GRE>80th for 50% and GPA 3.9 and GRE>90th for 100% tuition waiver)

Although I dont like the strict cut-offs by which columbia gives scholarships, but I wish that orher universities were more transparent in their policy and the factors and cut-offs that are important for their decision regarding merit-based awards.

Wish you the best, fingers crossed 🙂
 
Memm77 said:
You’re one of the top 3 strongest applicants in this forum in terms of stats, and I’m completely confident that you will obtain considerable amount of scholarships, at least one of them is certain; Columbia 50% tuition waiver (their criteria is: GPA 3.75 and GRE>80th for 50% and GPA 3.9 and GRE>90th for 100% tuition waiver)

Although I dont like the strict cut-offs by which columbia gives scholarships, but I wish that orher universities were more transparent in their policy and the factors and cut-offs that are important for their decision regarding merit-based awards.

Wish you the best, fingers crossed 🙂
Click to expand...

This is very helpful information! So does this mean that admitted students with GPA>3.75 and GRE (every section) >80th will automatically get 50% tuition waiver from Columbia?
 
oxytocin16 said:
This is very helpful information! So does this mean that admitted students with GPA>3.75 and GRE (every section) >80th will automatically get 50% tuition waiver from Columbia?
Click to expand...
Yes, but I should mention that all of your three sections of GRE should be upper than 80th or 90th, to become nominated for 50 and 100%, respectively ! And unfortunately, they are extremely strict on their cut-offs!
If I was aware of this criteria before my GRE study prep time, I would try much harder! (Hey 2020 applicants, if you really like columbia, just study hard and excel your GRE in all of its sections, and get this huge amount of money:greedy:)
 
Last edited:
For everyone that got into Columbia MPH this week— do you mind sharing a little about your timeline/how you got the acceptance notification?

I submitted my application on Dec 1st thinking that I reached the priority deadline but I’m assuming I didn’t. I just had a phone interview for the HPM department last week. Just trying to figure out when I’ll find out/what to expect. Thank you!
 
Last edited:
hankay14 said:
For everyone that got into Columbia MPH this week— do you mind sharing a little about your timeline/how you got the acceptance notification?

I submitted my application on Dec 15th thinking that I reached the priority deadline but I’m assuming I didn’t. I just had a phone interview for the HPM department last week. Just trying to figure out when I’ll find out/what to expect. Thank you!
Click to expand...

I think the priority deadline was Dec 1st? I submitted my application on November 15th for Epi. Got the notification yesterday to log-in the portal and check my status.
 
oxytocin16 said:
I think the priority deadline was Dec 1st? I submitted my application on November 15th for Epi. Got the notification yesterday to log-in the portal and check my status.
Click to expand...
Sorry! I got confused.. I applied on Dec 1st but received the email that my application is complete in Dec 18th. Did you have a phone interview with a current student/ any other communication before the acceptance?
 
audrey2019 said:
Got my first acceptance (COLUMBIA) so figured I should sign up!!

Undergrad School: Small(ish) state school
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.36 (SOPHAS verified) (3.51 upper division)
Major/Minor: Community health / sociology
GRE: V: 162 /(91%), Q: 158 (68%), W: 3.5 (Sept 2018)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):

- study abroad program studying health disparities faced by Aboriginal students in australia
- 1 year internship at state office of rural health studying disparities faced by American Indians and those in frontier counties
- development of a social media program implemented by a large public hospital in Australia
research funded by Idea Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence

LOR: two from advisors at my internship, one from a professor of demography, one from my epi professor

Interests: family/neonatal health, health disparities, global health

Applied: Colorado School of Public Health - epi or global health (11/25), Columbia sociomedical science (12/1) , University of Georgia epi (1/3) , Georgia State epi (11/29), Brown University (doing this week!!)
Accepted - Columbia!! (1/23)
Click to expand...
CONGRATS!! Did you have a phone interview with Columbia/ any other communication before the acceptance?
 
hankay14 said:
For everyone that got into Columbia MPH this week— do you mind sharing a little about your timeline/how you got the acceptance notification?

I submitted my application on Dec 1st thinking that I reached the priority deadline but I’m assuming I didn’t. I just had a phone interview for the HPM department last week. Just trying to figure out when I’ll find out/what to expect. Thank you!
Click to expand...
I applied on 11/21 and received the application complete email on 12/18. I received an email early yesterday morning with a portal that had my admission decision.

This is for SMS though, so the timeline might be different for HPM folks because of the interview component. Wishing you luck!!
 
hankay14 said:
For everyone that got into Columbia MPH this week— do you mind sharing a little about your timeline/how you got the acceptance notification?

I submitted my application on Dec 1st thinking that I reached the priority deadline but I’m assuming I didn’t. I just had a phone interview for the HPM department last week. Just trying to figure out when I’ll find out/what to expect. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Columbia HPM here! I applied 11/27 or 28 and was interviewed on 12/29.
 
hankay14 said:
CONGRATS!! Did you have a phone interview with Columbia/ any other communication before the acceptance?
Click to expand...
thank you! very excited. no I did not but I should mention I am in for sociomedical science which I believe does not generally do interviews. I'm hoping to get some kind of scholarship but its unlikely I'll be able to afford going
 
Hi, has anybody heard from the MPH program in Tufts? I applied for the MS/MPH program, but so far I just got accepted to the MS program.

Thanks!!
 
I disagree with this, to an extent. I'm a first year MPH Epi at Emory and did not receive the "Rollins Earn and Learn" award, which was only first come, first serve to people who submitted financial aid. Several of the student positions through Emory require that students have this award. I was able to attain an internship at the CDC in the fall semester, but had to do it unpaid, because the funding for the position was tied to the REAL program. However, I was able to make it work for the semester, gain some really great experience, and was able to use the "intern at CDC" title, even unpaid, to secure a great job this semester and was elected to an executive board for the Cancer Prevention and Control group at Rollins.

I really think that if you are given an opportunity, you should fight for funding, by all means. However, if this is something that just isn't possible, sometimes the pros and cons need to be weighed, especially in considering how it will impact the remainder of your MPH program. Yes, I was stressed about money. But I was able to make it work and was able to focus on classes, which was invaluable moving forward.

wwmmkk said:
This is REALLY important, and something that always makes me second-hand nervous reading these threads as people accept offers before hearing anything about scholarships.

4. Don't do anything unpaid-- your internship should pay you and any research assisting you do should be paid. Sometimes professors hire research assistants before they have grant money, and that's OK to take if they and you trust the grant money is coming. But leave if it never shows. You can't eat off experience. (Side note, especially for global health people: NEVER pay for your internship. I've seen people basically doing voluntourism projects for global health internships. Not OK.)
Click to expand...
 
And to add to this: I do believe that all positions should be paid. Grad students do some seriously amazing work that contributes to the advancement of public health everyday and should be paid a living wage at the very least. It was super disappointing that I could not get a paid position and a lot of thought went into if pursuing an unpaid student position was worth it or if I should have sought out a position at Starbucks or Target or wherever else that is always looking for help. Additionally, I understand that not everybody has the ability to do this, and when I say "make it work", I do mean make it work in ways that were not preferable (hellooooo student loans). This was just my process in determining that an unpaid position would benefit me more in the remainder of my time at Emory and in creating an impressive resume for post-grad life

blb95 said:
I disagree with this, to an extent. I'm a first year MPH Epi at Emory and did not receive the "Rollins Earn and Learn" award, which was only first come, first serve to people who submitted financial aid. Several of the student positions through Emory require that students have this award. I was able to attain an internship at the CDC in the fall semester, but had to do it unpaid, because the funding for the position was tied to the REAL program. However, I was able to make it work for the semester, gain some really great experience, and was able to use the "intern at CDC" title, even unpaid, to secure a great job this semester and was elected to an executive board for the Cancer Prevention and Control group at Rollins.

I really think that if you are given an opportunity, you should fight for funding, by all means. However, if this is something that just isn't possible, sometimes the pros and cons need to be weighed, especially in considering how it will impact the remainder of your MPH program. Yes, I was stressed about money. But I was able to make it work and was able to focus on classes, which was invaluable moving forward.
Click to expand...
 
hankay14 said:
For everyone that got into Columbia MPH this week— do you mind sharing a little about your timeline/how you got the acceptance notification?

I submitted my application on Dec 1st thinking that I reached the priority deadline but I’m assuming I didn’t. I just had a phone interview for the HPM department last week. Just trying to figure out when I’ll find out/what to expect. Thank you!
Click to expand...
I submitted my application on 11/30, verified 12/4. Emailed for an interview on 12/27, and interviewed around New Year's!
 
My financial situation is different than this post so I don't really have advice for that, but I do just want to add what I know about Michigan for anyone considering it, since I'm here! A bunch of people in my cohort got some sticker shock at seeing the price of tuition so I just want to let everyone know that Michigan is expensive, especially for out of state, and they don't let you establish residency your second year. It's one of the strictest policies (I had to apply for my in state tuition after going to college out of state). I don't know if the admissions office said that explicitly since some people really did seem surprised. It's also pretty hard to get a GSI/RA position here (which means your full tuition is paid) so I wouldn't count on that either. You can get jobs on campus but those would probably just be for cost of living, not to make a dent in loans. I don't want to scare anyone away, just want to make sure everyone knows what they're getting into loan-wise as they look at schools, no matter which one it is. Be realistic about what your expected future salary will be and how you'll pay them off. Sorry I don't have more advice!

EHS_MPHapplicant said:
Hey all,

Congrats to all those that received Columbia admissions today! And I want to celebrate those that have shared their acceptances over the past two months. As the prospect of choosing between multiple programs presents itself for many of us, the next logical line of reasoning, I imagine, is that our decisions weigh heavily on the financial aid offers we receive. Still, that anxiety-inducing question remains: how will I finance this? For many - if not most - of us. As a group, we are spread across the country (out-of-state tuition vs. in-state) and the world (international tuition rates/ no access to fed. funding), as such we all have unique financial circumstances to face down in our decision to pursue our degrees/career goals. As the reality of attending graduate school becomes more real, so too is the reality of taking on debt upward of $50-100k (tuition/CoL). Personally, this worries me. Certainly, I was aware of this before applying; however, this did narrow my applications and influenced consideration for some programs over others. With the cost of Columbia and the cost of living in NY, I had to really evaluate whether I would attend if accepted due to cost.

I was hoping to create a space for discussion around tuition, debt, and loans, specifically for 2019-20 admissions. And hear others' thoughts on the potential financial burden of attending many of these excellent programs. It may be helpful if current MPH students could weigh in on the experience of managing finances while in a program/challenges/stress or share their program's culture around addressing these issues, and maybe offer advice?

I figured this thread is the most active/relevant to current applicants. If necessary, I can create a separate thread.

TLDR; can we have a real conversation about funding?
Click to expand...
 
I have just received the decision from Harvard

Wish you all the best
Thank you for the support
I listed my info below



Undergrad School: International (MD)
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.59 (WES)
Major/Minor: Medicine
GRE: 160 V/ 163 Q/ 4.0 W
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 50 Publications in PubMed
- 16 IRB-approved studies (Principle investigator in more than 10 studies)
- Fellowship from two different medical societies

LOR: 3
Interests: Epidemiology
Applying: MPH Epi Harvard
Accepted: MPH Epi Harvard
 
JorMD said:
I have just received the decision from Harvard

Wish you all the best
Thank you for the support
I listed my info below



Undergrad School: International (MD)
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.59 (WES)
Major/Minor: Medicine
GRE: 160 V/ 163 Q/ 4.0 W
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 50 Publications in PubMed
- 16 IRB-approved studies (Principle investigator in more than 10 studies)
- Fellowship from two different medical societies

LOR: 3
Interests: Epidemiology
Applying: MPH Epi Harvard
Accepted: MPH Epi Harvard
Click to expand...

my understanding is that this is EXTRAORDINARILY early for Harvard, is there any reason you can think of why they reached a decision so quickly? Everything I have heard on Harvard points to March earliest for decisions.
 
Hi Cramerb83
I was surprised like you. I thought that I should receive a decision around late Feb or early March. I wonder if I received the early decision because the program (Part-time MPH-Epi) has a very limited target of students.
  1. "https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/admissions/degree-programs/online-mph-in-epidemiology/"

Attached is a copy of the decision letter I received
I am not sure if it sheds light on the reason for the early decision
Wish you the best
 

Attachments

  • Acceptance.png
    Acceptance.png
    526.3 KB · Views: 175
How long has it generally taken everyone to get a decision back from GW?

Also, anyone have any insight regarding the criteria for merit scholarships from mount sinai? I’m unsure about whether I’ve got a decent chance of getting one, mostly due to my quant GRE score.
 
Brie02 said:
How long has it generally taken everyone to get a decision back from GW?

Also, anyone have any insight regarding the criteria for merit scholarships from mount sinai? I’m unsure about whether I’ve got a decent chance of getting one, mostly due to my quant GRE score.
Click to expand...
For me it was super quick, like less than a week after I got my application complete email. This was for health promotion though so it could vary between programs.
 
I got an acceptance from GW just now and I was verified on Dec.21
Brie02 said:
How long has it generally taken everyone to get a decision back from GW?

Also, anyone have any insight regarding the criteria for merit scholarships from mount sinai? I’m unsure about whether I’ve got a decent chance of getting one, mostly due to my quant GRE score.
Click to expand...

I received an acceptance from GW just now and I was verified on Dec. 21
 
Did anyone apply to GW's M.S. in Public Health Micro and Emerging Infections Program? Any acceptances yet??

I know this is a primarily MPH-focused group, but figured I'd ask!
 
Brie02 said:
How long has it generally taken everyone to get a decision back from GW?

Also, anyone have any insight regarding the criteria for merit scholarships from mount sinai? I’m unsure about whether I’ve got a decent chance of getting one, mostly due to my quant GRE score.
Click to expand...

Less than 10 days for GW.

Regarding scholarships, I donno, and I wish we were knowledgeable about the cut-offs and factors of different universities, its my biggest concern in these days...
 
Memm77 said:
Yes, but I should mention that all of your three sections of GRE should be upper than 80th or 90th, to become nominated for 50 and 100%, respectively ! And unfortunately, they are extremely strict on their cut-offs!
If I was aware of this criteria before my GRE study prep time, I would try much harder! (Hey 2020 applicants, if you really like columbia, just study hard and excel your GRE in all of its sections, and get this huge amount of money:greedy:)
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the detailed info! I was wondering if the cutoff is 80th percentile inclusive or not? If I score at the 80th percentile, does that mean I do not qualify since the requirement is upper than 80th?
 
Undergrad School: UC
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 2.97 according to SOPHAS (rough sophomore year... but strong upward trend in senior year)/ 3.5
Major/Minor: Public Health
GRE: V: 152 (56? don't remember the exact %), Q: 156 (62%), W: 4.0 (September 2018)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 years of medical assistant (still ongoing)
- undergraduate research for 3 years in genetics
- study abroad program to Europe 6 months
- also worked as a health education volunteer in Europe to help out refugees for 6 months
- 6 months each, various internship at community development centers to help disadvantaged population
- held leadership position on campus club


LOR: One from my internship supervisor (I've kept in touch with her for more than 5 years), one from my public health class professor, one from my current supervisor MD

Interests: MPH in Epidemiology, specifically chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis)

Applied: MPH-Epi Tulane, Emory, Minnesota, Loma Linda, SDSU, Boston (don't remember exact dates, but all in early November!)
Accepted: Tulane, Emory, Loma Linda, Boston+$
Still waiting for SDSU
Rejected: Minnesota

Since I live in CA, I tried to apply to more schools on the west coast, but it is true that most programs with research that I want to study are all on the other side of the US.. but I'm willing to go out of state. I will most likely attend Emory and I'm super excited!!!
 
I did not hear from them for almost 7 weeks - I was verified at the end of November and did not hear until last Friday. I applied for Health Policy.
Brie02 said:
How long has it generally taken everyone to get a decision back from GW?

Also, anyone have any insight regarding the criteria for merit scholarships from mount sinai? I’m unsure about whether I’ve got a decent chance of getting one, mostly due to my quant GRE score.
Click to expand...
 
Brie02 said:
How long has it generally taken everyone to get a decision back from GW?

Also, anyone have any insight regarding the criteria for merit scholarships from mount sinai? I’m unsure about whether I’ve got a decent chance of getting one, mostly due to my quant GRE score.
Click to expand...
I heard back from GW last week after about a month and I got an email that my application was compete on December 21st. It seems like there's a lot of variation in the timelines - hope you hear good news soon!
 
Brie02 said:
Agreed. Once the thrill of acceptances wears off you’re left like ...now to figure out how I’m gonna pay for this.
Click to expand...
I haven't even heard back from all my schools but the "oh wait crap....where do I get the money for this??" feeling set in pretty quickly.

Personally I'm thinking about deferring a year to save enough for living expenses my first year and to finish paying any debt so I can start the new degree fresh. I know people have deferred to Emory but I'm wondering if Berkeley has a deferring process as well?
 
Brie02 said:
Agreed. Once the thrill of acceptances wears off you’re left like ...now to figure out how I’m gonna pay for this.
Click to expand...

Exactly! The disappointing side of the majority of universities policy regarding scholarships is that there is no significant difference between 290 and even something near 328 in GRE! (except for a few universities such as the GW that has different levels of scholarships from 7500$ to 70000$)
The majority of top schools like Harvard, Columbia, JHU, UNC--which allocate more budget compared to lower ranks--only focus on +330 as I’ve reviewed previous years threads.
 
Last edited:
Missaayyyy said:
I haven't even heard back from all my schools but the "oh wait crap....where do I get the money for this??" feeling set in pretty quickly.

Personally I'm thinking about deferring a year to save enough for living expenses my first year and to finish paying any debt so I can start the new degree fresh. I know people have deferred to Emory but I'm wondering if Berkeley has a deferring process as well?
Click to expand...

I’ve been thinking about deferring a year too! Decisions, decisions. I’m not sure about Berkeley but when I went to an info session at NYU I was told that for most concentrations you can’t defer and would have to just reapply, with the exception of global health where I believe it was possible to defer by a semester (but it still seemed to be something they prefer you not do). It makes me wonder what the policy on deferrals is for other programs
 
JorMD said:
Hi Cramerb83
I was surprised like you. I thought that I should receive a decision around late Feb or early March. I wonder if I received the early decision because the program (Part-time MPH-Epi) has a very limited target of students.
  1. "https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/admissions/degree-programs/online-mph-in-epidemiology/"

Attached is a copy of the decision letter I received
I am not sure if it sheds light on the reason for the early decision
Wish you the best
Click to expand...

Hey man. Congrats. That's extraordinary to hear from them as early. I am applying to the same program (part-time MPH-Epi). Wondering on what do you mean by "very limited target of students"?. My credentials are not as good as yours (M.D., 20 Pubmed publications, 200 citations, 1 year postdoc research fellow, ECFMG certified). I am very optimistic now reading about your acceptance. You never know, we might end up joining the same class.
 
Brie02 said:
How long has it generally taken everyone to get a decision back from GW?

Also, anyone have any insight regarding the criteria for merit scholarships from mount sinai? I’m unsure about whether I’ve got a decent chance of getting one, mostly due to my quant GRE score.
Click to expand...
Since GW extended their priority deadline from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15 (after the 12/15 deadline passed), I think that is delaying the process. I sent my app (MPH - GHEDC) on 12/15 and still haven't heard back and it's been ~6 weeks, but I should take into account winter break. However, my friend applied to the same GW program on 12/14 and heard back yesterday. So I don't understand their process, but I think they're experiencing some delay.

update: I just got my acceptance email!!!
 
Last edited:
I applied early-ish so I heard back from GW pretty quickly (10 days). @Nb30 is probably right about the reason for the delay!

Looking at all the posts on the GW admitted students FB group has me feeling old lol. Anyone else who’s not a clinician heading back to school after a long gap? I’ll be 27 by the time I start!
 
flawedmph said:
I applied early-ish so I heard back from GW pretty quickly (10 days). @Nb30 is probably right about the reason for the delay!

Looking at all the posts on the GW admitted students FB group has me feeling old lol. Anyone else who’s not a clinician heading back to school after a long gap? I’ll be 27 by the time I start!
Click to expand...

I'll also be 27 going in. Changing from an HR career to public health. It's a little scary to start over later in the game, but hopefully it's worth it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
MPH / MSPH 2024: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected, Attending
Replies
3
Views
7K
catch-22
catch-22
She-Hulk
MPH / MSPH 2023: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected, Attending
2 3
Replies
103
Views
29K
Nicole Brown
Nicole Brown
D
2024 Public Health Doctoral Programs ( PhD, DrPH, ScD): Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Attending, Rejected
Replies
0
Views
4K
drph2024
D
Z
MPH / MSPH 2022: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected, Attending
22 23 24 25 26
Replies
1K
Views
211K
Nicole Brown
Nicole Brown
rpflash100
Other Doctoral Degree 2023 Doctoral Public Health (PhD, DrPH, ScD): Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected!
Replies
2
Views
5K
Diana Bixler
Diana Bixler
Top