MPH 2019: Applied, Waitlisted, Accepted!

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I got into my top choice! I'm pretty sure that I'll be going to Columbia!

Undergrad School: Little liberal arts school that "changes lives" (graduated 2013)
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 2.64/3.1 (not great I know)
Major/Minor: Sociology
Graduate School: University of Essex (MA in Sociology, graduated 2014)
Grad School GPA: 66.1 (WES 3.56)
GRE: V: 163 (93%), Q: 156 (61%), W: 4.5 (82%) (September 2018)
Experience/Research:
- MA thesis involved researching how British military charities provide social and financial support for children whose parents were killed in combat.
- Spent a year working in Istanbul with the Istanbul Center for Behavioral Research and Therapy as a clinical research intern. Worked primarily with Syrian refugees and torture survivors diagnosed with severe PTSD. Conducted literature reviews, helped with treatment/research, edited a book on torture in international law and presented research at conferences in Istanbul, Stanford and at Caux, Switzerland.
- Did a year of research and field interviews for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in housing projects in South Boston.
- 2017-2019 Community Health Agent in Peace Corps Senegal. I digitized 28000 handwritten, French health consultation records to create heat maps and analyses of regional health problems. Did that with no electricity or running water, which was fun.
- I'm extending my Peace Corps service into August 2019 as the first "Health Data Analyst PCV Coordinator" and I'll basically be creating a framework for all health volunteers to use data analysis in the future.

LOR: Country Director of PC Senegal, Health Sector Director of PC Senegal, my MA Thesis advisor.

Interests: Refugees; climate change; policy; MPH in behavioral health; mental health

Applying: Harvard, Columbia, Yale, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and Johns Hopkins.

Accepted: Columbia (2/5)
 
MPAfya_19 said:
Got a (very small) scholarship to Hopkins! It's the Coverdell Fellowship for returned Peace Corps Volunteers, valued at a whopping $8,000 :laugh: I don't think it'll have much of an influence on my decision, but still nice to get!
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Congrats! How did you get notified? your personal JHU page, or by an email?
 
Has anyone heard from UW Health Services department or know when those come out? Also, why do they send out fellowship applications before decisions?
 
futureMPH said:
I feel like no UNC decisions have been released in a while. Anyone else feeling that? ☹️
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The wait is stressing me out more than words can describe 🙁 But fingers crossed we hear from them and the others (Harvard!) by March first week, which is thankfully not that far!
 
PHnerd13 said:
The wait is stressing me out more than words can describe 🙁 But fingers crossed we hear from them and the others (Harvard!) by March first week, which is thankfully not that far!
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I cannot understand the reason of this too slow process! Emory and JHU have the highest number applicants, but respond in less than 6 weeks! But Harvard, UNC, Yale, and Columbia...it’s too frustrating particularly for international students who may need 2 to 6 months of administrative processing in the US embassy!
 
JDGBruin1317 said:
I'm considering sticking around for a couple of days after VE to explore the downtown attractions and know my way around the Emory area. I don't have a car, so I'm looking into their MARTA day passes!
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livingconversation said:
Yeah you’re probably right! I’ve never been to Atlanta so I’ll probably go a couple days before VE so I can scope out the area!
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el.mo19 said:
It’s such a big town! I feel like it’d take a while to see it all (and costly if you don’t have a car)! I’m definitely glad I’ll be in ATL for 3 days.
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Downtown isn't really the best area to visit-- that tends to be more tourist-y/commercialized-- though the tourist attractions are really fun (aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Coke Museum, etc)! But if you're looking for the Atlanta vibe, I'd recommend checking out the Beltline in Midtown. While you're there, walk to Piedmont Park, Ponce Street Market, and Krog Street Market. A couple other fun stops along the way are LadyBird and New Realm brewing. Also check out restaurants and walk around at Emory Point and Downtown Decatur! Normally the Emory Ambassadors site also has recommendations.
 
JDGBruin1317 said:
I'm considering sticking around for a couple of days after VE to explore the downtown attractions and know my way around the Emory area. I don't have a car, so I'm looking into their MARTA day passes!
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I'm a Metro-Atlanta native and there is a TON of stuff going on in ATL all the time. MARTA is pretty cheap. I'm not sure if you've found your way to the MARTA website yet but I'm including it in this post for anyone else who needs it.

MARTA
 
Cassatrass said:
Downtown isn't really the best area to visit-- that tends to be more tourist-y/commercialized-- though the tourist attractions are really fun (aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Coke Museum, etc)! But if you're looking for the Atlanta vibe, I'd recommend checking out the Beltline in Midtown. While you're there, walk to Piedmont Park, Ponce Street Market, and Krog Street Market. A couple other fun stops along the way are LadyBird and New Realm brewing. Also check out restaurants and walk around at Emory Point and Downtown Decatur! Normally the Emory Ambassadors site also has recommendations.
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I second this! There are also a lot of things to do outside of ATL. Stone Mountain park is a 30 minute drive from ATL. You can hike up the mountain and enjoy a lasershow during the summer season. If you're into craft beer, ATL has many breweries and weekend events like the ATL Beer Festivals. Ponce City Market has a fairground type of attraction on the rooftop during summer months, etc.
 
Anyone hear from Harvard? From a quick peek at previous years' threads it looks like they don't send out decisions until 2/23... :'(
 
redeye19 said:
Has anyone heard from UW Health Services department or know when those come out? Also, why do they send out fellowship applications before decisions?
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Still waiting for UW health services as well. In their email last Friday about the fellowship they said the applications were still under review so hopefully we will hear something back this week.
 
Anyone participate in the Columbia SMS admitted student virtual chat today?
 
futureMPH said:
I just got an email from UNC Graduate School and I was accepted! But they did not specify which program. Did this happen to anyone else?
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Congrats! Yes, the first acceptance email is from the Grad school. I got another email later specifically from the SPH department I applied to congratulating me.
 
Missaayyyy said:
Congrats! Yes, the first acceptance email is from the Grad school. I got another email later specifically from the SPH department I applied to congratulating me.
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Ooh thanks for letting me know! Was it the same day?
 
Undergrad School: USC
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.8
Major/Minor: B.S. Health Promotion / Culture, Media, and Entertainment (grad 2017)

GRE: V: 166 (97%), Q: 163 (83%), W: 5.5 (98%)
Experience/Research:
- Undergraduate research assistant at the USC Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science (4 m)
- Student chief of staff at USC's health promotion office, creating public health programs and interventions for the campus community—focus on mindfulness, meditation, and stress reduction (2 years)
- Editor covering health and wellness for a major lifestyle website (1 year, current)

LOR: Strong letters from the health promotion prof who was also my PI, my boss/mentor from my student job, and a comm professor I took two semesters with (including a 10-person seminar)

Interests: food systems, agricultural policy, built environment, mindfulness and meditation, psychedelic science, environment, communication and journalism

Applying: Harvard (nutrition), Hopkins, Columbia (PopFam), UCLA (community health sciences), Cal (public health nutrition) (12/1 application date for all)

Accepted: Columbia (1/23), Cal (1/30)

Very eagerly/anxiously anticipating a reply from Hopkins, which I hope is on its way next week! Otherwise Columbia and Cal are my #1s—I'll have a tough decision to make regardless!
 
Last edited:
I know this is unrelated to much of the stuff we’ve been discussing here but I’m wondering can relate? I’ve been in a relationship for 4 years, and we’re serious about each other. There’s a very real chance that we’re going to end up apart for the next 2 years based on how some of my financial aid offers are shaking out.

In the end I’m making the best financial/professional/program-fit decision for myself alone, and he’s doing the same for himself professionally. It’s the smart move but sometimes I feel...really bummed out. I don’t know if other people are in similar situations, or have some experience or wisdom to share. I just need to vent a little, hope it’s okay for this forum!
 
kmart9706 said:
Undergrad School: USC
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.8
Major/Minor: B.S. Health Promotion / Communication, Media, and Entertainment (grad 2017)

GRE: V: 166 (97%), Q: 163 (83%), W: 5.5 (98%)
Experience/Research:
- Undergraduate research assistant at the USC Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science (4 m)
- Student chief of staff at USC's health promotion office, creating public health programs and interventions for the campus community—focus on mindfulness, meditation, and stress reduction (2 years)
- Editor covering health and wellness for a major lifestyle website (1 year, current)

LOR: Strong letters from the health promotion prof who was also my PI, my boss/mentor from my student job, and a comm professor I took two semesters with (including a 10-person seminar)

Interests: food systems, agricultural policy, built environment, mindfulness and meditation, psychedelic science, environment, communication and journalism

Applying: Harvard (nutrition), Hopkins, Columbia (PopFam), UCLA (community health sciences), Cal (public health nutrition) (12/1 application date for all)

Accepted: Columbia (1/23), Cal (1/30)

Very eagerly/anxiously anticipating a reply from Hopkins, which I hope is on its way next week! Otherwise Columbia and Cal are my #1s—I'll have a tough decision to make regardless!
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Also, best of luck! You have great scores. “”Psychedelic science” isn’t something I’ve heard about before, but sounds interesting
 
Anyone else apply to Harvard Nutrition MPH? Do you think there will be many fewer applicants because it's new? Are you worried the department will be disorganized in the first year?
 
sinigual said:
I know this is unrelated to much of the stuff we’ve been discussing here but I’m wondering can relate? I’ve been in a relationship for 4 years, and we’re serious about each other. There’s a very real chance that we’re going to end up apart for the next 2 years based on how some of my financial aid offers are shaking out.

In the end I’m making the best financial/professional/program-fit decision for myself alone, and he’s doing the same for himself professionally. It’s the smart move but sometimes I feel...really bummed out. I don’t know if other people are in similar situations, or have some experience or wisdom to share. I just need to vent a little, hope it’s okay for this forum!
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I think it's definitely relevant!! Unfortunately these decisions are a lot more complicated than just picking the place with the best rating or prettiest campus or best taco shop in a 5m radius.

My SO and I have had a few discussions and are mostly tabling it for when I know more (he's also reaching the end of his current postdoc contract and has the potential to move with, but he has connections here, etc...). I know that for me, there's a certain monetary value on remaining close--ie: if a program in the area would result in me taking out 10k in loans vs. no loans across the country, I think the loans would be worth it. However, this is all hypothetical at this point. I am just trying to sit back and have as much faith that it will work out in some way as I can!

I'm definitely open to any wisdom from the older/more experienced members here, as this is the first time this has been a problem for me! All I know for sure is that I want this uncertainty to be over!!
 
sinigual said:
I know this is unrelated to much of the stuff we’ve been discussing here but I’m wondering can relate? I’ve been in a relationship for 4 years, and we’re serious about each other. There’s a very real chance that we’re going to end up apart for the next 2 years based on how some of my financial aid offers are shaking out.

In the end I’m making the best financial/professional/program-fit decision for myself alone, and he’s doing the same for himself professionally. It’s the smart move but sometimes I feel...really bummed out. I don’t know if other people are in similar situations, or have some experience or wisdom to share. I just need to vent a little, hope it’s okay for this forum!
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I'm in basically the same situation -- 4 years in and trying to make the same call about finances/program fit for myself alone. I have no wisdom to share lol just here to commiserate on how frustrating this can be. and I'm very interested in hearing other people's experiences with this.

It definitely doesn't help with my anxiety with this whole process in general 🙁
 
There's a whoooole long discussion on last year's thread about relationships, long distance, etc.

Personally, I chose to take on more debt (and go to a more academically rigorous program) in order to continue living with my partner. No regrets-- we're engaged now, and my partner is prepared to move with me if I start a PhD program in the fall.
 
cramerb83 said:
SOPHAS is the worst thing to ever be a thing. Just another example of the american edu system acting as a big business with students interests stuck in the background
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I have to disagree, only because AMCAS exists. My experience with SOPHAS this year was so much better than AMCAS last year. Also, I got an email today from SOPHAS about there still being time to apply. AFAIK, most or all of the priority deadlines have passed, so I find that really funny.

Mphcan768 said:
I'm a Metro-Atlanta native and there is a TON of stuff going on in ATL all the time. MARTA is pretty cheap. I'm not sure if you've found your way to the MARTA website yet but I'm including it in this post for anyone else who needs it.

MARTA
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THANK YOU!
 
WOW 4 years is a really common time for all of us! Hahaha, I too have been in a relationship for the same amount of time and we are very serious as well.

My partner and I contemplated whether he should move out with me (luckily his profession would allow him to transfer to different locations very easily); however, once he moved companies summer 2018, we decided it would be best to do distance so that his track record at different locations didn't become spotty (current company still has same perk of having locations all across the country).

It's really really weird for me to think of doing distance, but it seems almost inevitable for me since my top choices are currently JHU, Emory and Cal. I'm very very lucky that he's super supportive and wants me to make my decision totally independent of him but I feel like it's a tough thing to push aside. Especially because Cal would allow us to stay within the same state (plus is my cheapest option bc of in-state tuition) but is the program I've heard that of the three, would not be as recognizable if I were to want to move out of CA. He actually wants to ship me off to JHU bc of rankings/prestige, soooo that's a whole other debate I'm struggling with.
 
MPGainz said:
Got an acceptance from University of Maryland today! So unexpected on a Saturday, but an awesome surprise!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
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Did you receive an email from UMD? My surfs application page (the supplemental app we needed to do) now says a decision has been made but I haven't heard from them.
 
sinigual said:
I know this is unrelated to much of the stuff we’ve been discussing here but I’m wondering can relate? I’ve been in a relationship for 4 years, and we’re serious about each other. There’s a very real chance that we’re going to end up apart for the next 2 years based on how some of my financial aid offers are shaking out.

In the end I’m making the best financial/professional/program-fit decision for myself alone, and he’s doing the same for himself professionally. It’s the smart move but sometimes I feel...really bummed out. I don’t know if other people are in similar situations, or have some experience or wisdom to share. I just need to vent a little, hope it’s okay for this forum!
Click to expand...

From the looks of it, quite of a few of us are in the same situation but all come to very similar solutions. We do what is best for our future and luckily we have partners who are supportive and willing to try. I have been with my SO for 3 years now and he used to say long distance wasn't for him, but he's been the most supportive person throughout my journey in pursuing grad school. He even started making plans about long distance travel and how to make our relationship work for when I do move away for grad school.

Overall, most of us came out of undergrad with debt and will probably add on to it through grad school, so I think it's best we decide to choose a school for its program and financial practicality rather than what we think is best to keep our relationships comfortable. We'll all be okay in the end.
 
rosed.stone said:
From the looks of it, quite of a few of us are in the same situation but all come to very similar solutions. We do what is best for our future and luckily we have partners who are supportive and willing to try. I have been with my SO for 3 years now and he used to say long distance wasn't for him, but he's been the most supportive person throughout my journey in pursuing grad school. He even started making plans about long distance travel and how to make our relationship work for when I do move away for grad school.

Overall, most of us came out of undergrad with debt and will probably add on to it through grad school, so I think it's best we decide to choose a school for its program and financial practicality rather than what we think is best to keep our relationships comfortable. We'll all be okay in the end.
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Ditto to all of this! All the best to everyone and their boos! Hopefully we all end up with success stories like @wwmmkk ! :happy:
 
EHS_MPHapplicant said:
Any fellowships in particular? Or are you referring to merit-scholarships/financial aid/etc?
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Our applications are automatically considered for various fellowships, endowments, and scholarships. I don't know when they notify recipients of awards though
 
ac2019applicant said:
Still waiting for UW health services as well. In their email last Friday about the fellowship they said the applications were still under review so hopefully we will hear something back this week.
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Hmm, I wonder how far along they are in their review process? I was under the impression they would not be sending anything out until early March
 
Hey y'all! I am proud of us for getting into awesome MPH programs and we're gonna do amazing stuff out there. I know this is a stressful time to decide which program to attend but just a friendly reminder to please take some time for self-care! sending positive vibes to everyone 🙂
 
sinigual said:
I know this is unrelated to much of the stuff we’ve been discussing here but I’m wondering can relate? I’ve been in a relationship for 4 years, and we’re serious about each other. There’s a very real chance that we’re going to end up apart for the next 2 years based on how some of my financial aid offers are shaking out.

In the end I’m making the best financial/professional/program-fit decision for myself alone, and he’s doing the same for himself professionally. It’s the smart move but sometimes I feel...really bummed out. I don’t know if other people are in similar situations, or have some experience or wisdom to share. I just need to vent a little, hope it’s okay for this forum!
Click to expand...

Though I don't have much to add on this, I do want to say all of you are lucky to have someone alongside you love and adore. It is always a great feeling to be loved and understood. Life is always happening but I think what's more important is planning and dreaming a future together. And I think this will be the determining factor when you choose between your schools. The end point X is pre-determined (at least what you have in mind). You can choose path A, B or C but it all is bound to come to X. 🙂

What is meant to be, will be. Believe that. People who want to be in your life and vice versa, will make all efforts to do so. Sure the road is bumpy for some time but look at the destination. It will be worth it. Good luck! <3
Here's a quote that gets me through. "What is meant for you will reach you even if it is between two mountains. And what is not meant for you, won't reach you even if it is between your two lips."
 
Ramaq Chishti said:
Though I don't have much to add on this, I do want to say all of you are lucky to have someone alongside you love and adore. It is always a great feeling to be loved and understood. Life is always happening but I think what's more important is planning and dreaming a future together. And I think this will be the determining factor when you choose between your schools. The end point X is pre-determined (at least what you have in mind). You can choose path A, B or C but it all is bound to come to X. 🙂

What is meant to be, will be. Believe that. People who want to be in your life and vice versa, will make all efforts to do so. Sure the road is bumpy for some time but look at the destination. It will be worth it. Good luck! <3
Here's a quote that gets me through. "What is meant for you will reach you even if it is between two mountains. And what is not meant for you, won't reach you even if it is between your two lips."
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This is such a comforting message! And I really love that quote! (I'm a total quote addict!) Thanks so much for sharing it!!
 
dubbz09 said:
This is such a comforting message! And I really love that quote! (I'm a total quote addict!) Thanks so much for sharing it!!
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IKR! Love learning quotes lol. My absolute pleasure. <3
I'll probably shut up after this final share or it will be hard to stop. :"D
“Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth, 'You owe me.'
Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.”
– Hafiz.
Wishing everyone the best of everything life has to offer. I'm not always this optimistic but I do believe it's important to have and give reminders that it will be okay. This too, shall pass.
 
I really appreciate all of these perspectives (and quotes!). I feel more validated hearing the same things from other people, I don't know a lot of other people IRL in this situation. It's hard sometimes to keep all my different anxieties about the process at bay but I'm working on it :thinking:

I'm super excited to hear more about where people get in and decide to go!!!!
 
Undergrad School: UMich
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.8
Major/Minor: B.A. Gender and Health

GRE: V: 158 (80%), Q: 151 (42%), W: 5.5 (92%)
Experience/Research:
- Undergraduate research assistant in 2 psychology labs studying media and mental health (4 years)
- Member of student led group that develops events centering on campus inclusivity (4 years)
- Staff member of a student life department that provides students with access to community resources, events, etc. (2 year-present)

LOR: strong letter from a professor who is heavily involved in the public health department, letter from my boss in student life, and a letter from the prof I work in lab with who is the head of one of the psych depts.

Interests: health policy, healthcare access, community health, health behavior

Applying: (all for health behavior, community health, etc.) Emory, UNC Chapel Hill, OSU, UMich, Boston University
Accepted: Emory (12/10), BU (12/20), OSU (12/28)

Really hoping to be accepted at UMich and anxiously waiting for their decision!
 
One side effect of this process is that I have successful pared down my subscription to mailing lists, lol! Every time I see the little email thing and it's another political campaign wanting donations or coursera telling me about a new python course... unsubscribe!! I don't think my inbox has been this clutter-free in years!

(One mailing list that has made it through and that I recommend--John's Hopkins Global Health NOW newsletter. Super interesting email every morning about public health topics both domestic and international, sprinkled with a bit of humor).
 
Hey - for all the Columbia MPH HPM'ers, how was the interview? Was it really 'informal?' And is everyone interviewed or is this already shortlisted? Thanks! And congrats!
 
Greentree1 said:
Hey - for all the Columbia MPH HPM'ers, how was the interview? Was it really 'informal?' And is everyone interviewed or is this already shortlisted? Thanks! And congrats!
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Hey! Yes the interview was pretty informal, my interviewer just wanted to know more about what I hoped to get from the program and learn a little more about me (I'm so sorry I've forgotten most of the questions lol), but it was pretty chill. We spent half the time talking about his experience and advice. He explicitly stated at the beginning that this didn't mean I was shortlisted or anything, I think they try to interview everyone. I had asked in a webinar and they said they interview if they "need more information" about the candidate. Hope this helps!
 
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