MPH 2019: Applied, Waitlisted, Accepted!

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desperately waiting for JHU, verified on 12/12, 8 weeks is today 2/6!! And yes I am refreshing the portal even more frequently now as the days progress.

Any thoughts on my chance on JHU?

Undergrad: Large state school
GPA: 3.36 (Undergraduate) 3.6 (Graduate) GRE: waived - doctorate in pharmacy
Interested in: Health Policy
Applied/Applying: GWU (1/5) Dartmouth (12/12) JHU (12/12)
Accepted: GWU (1/18) + $, Dartmouth (2/1) + $
 
I spoke with an acquaintance whose in the public health field that went to my high school (undergrad at Hopkins and MPH from Yale), and they gave me very objective advice regarding all programs I applied to. One question I asked was if the fact I applied for Hopkins MSPH versus MPH (was eligible was thought 2 years would be more beneficial) could impact me in the future, given all the other programs I've applied to are MPHs and they said it might because it doesn't carry as much as an MPH but that coming from Hopkins it shouldn't, especially if I do decide to go for a PhD. However, depending on what my ultimate goals are, it is possible it could hinder.

Has anyone else thought much about this? Or can anyone else maybe offer more insight?
 
justhere said:
desperately waiting for JHU, verified on 12/12, 8 weeks is today 2/6!! And yes I am refreshing the portal even more frequently now as the days progress.

Any thoughts on my chance on JHU?

Undergrad: Large state school
GPA: 3.36 (Undergraduate) 3.6 (Graduate) GRE: waived - doctorate in pharmacy
Interested in: Health Policy
Applied/Applying: GWU (1/5) Dartmouth (12/12) JHU (12/12)
Accepted: GWU (1/18) + $, Dartmouth (2/1) + $
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When did you hear about scholarships with GW?
 
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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Another person in a LTR chiming in! It's so hard to separate my decision from proximity to my SO. This is probably the most important decision of my life so far so I have to keep reminding myself to think about the best fit and NOT focus on location.
el.mo19 said:
I spoke with an acquaintance whose in the public health field that went to my high school (undergrad at Hopkins and MPH from Yale), and they gave me very objective advice regarding all programs I applied to. One question I asked was if the fact I applied for Hopkins MSPH versus MPH (was eligible was thought 2 years would be more beneficial) could impact me in the future, given all the other programs I've applied to are MPHs and they said it might because it doesn't carry as much as an MPH but that coming from Hopkins it shouldn't, especially if I do decide to go for a PhD. However, depending on what my ultimate goals are, it is possible it could hinder.

Has anyone else thought much about this? Or can anyone else maybe offer more insight?
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I actually had a conversation about this with a mentor recently! He got his MSPH and went on to get a PhD in epidemiology. He told me he felt his MSPH prepared him really well for his PhD because his curriculum was focused on quantitative/qualitative methods. An MPH is a terminal practitioner’s degree, usually, so most people who get an MPH go directly into the workforce after.

Ultimately, he said that the MS vs. MPH designation doesn’t matter as much as your research interests and experience. I’m planning on getting a PhD after my MPH, so he recommended just taking as many methods/analytical courses as possible.
 
Is anyone still waiting to hear back from Columbia HPM? For those of you that heard back this week, when was your interview? I had my interview on 1/18 and am getting kinda nervous...
 
dubbz09 said:
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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Congrats on the columbia acceptance!!! If you don't mind me asking, when was your HPM interview?
 
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_basquiat said:
Has anyone heard back from GW about financial aid? I thought they were releasing aid decisions this week?
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Not yet, I’m eagerly waiting for hearing from them! Does anybody become aware of their criteria this year? Last year GPA:3.8 and GRE+325 were the cut-off for full tuition award!
 
_basquiat said:
I definitely am... and I noticed that the Harvard portal changed a bit and is now populated with tailored links and resources so I'm trying not to read into it too much until I get an actual decision.
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Do you mind sharing a screenshot? I haven't checked in a while and and am not sure if it changed. Obviously going crazy. 😵
 
_basquiat said:
Has anyone heard back from GW about financial aid? I thought they were releasing aid decisions this week?
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I believe it said should we receive a scholarship we’d be notified via email “as early as” the first week of February. So it sounds like it’s possible to hear back this week but it could also be later. Also it sounds like we hear back about need based aid separately from scholarships? Does anyone know how this has worked in previous years?
 
This was posted today from GWU:

"IMPORTANT: Our Financial Aid office will begin notifying scholarship recipients this week. It can take a few days to notify all recipients. More information about loan options will be communicated in March. Please contact Financial Aid directly with any questions at [email protected]."
 
Did anyone apply for more than one program at Hopkins? How different were your essays for each program?
 
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Alr5599 said:
Hi everyone!!

I’ve finally started to receive some acceptances, such a weight off of my shoulders!!

I was wondering if anyone has heard anything from Rutgers as far as financial aid, or a deadline to confirm enrollment.

Thanks!
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The deadline to submit your deposit is April 15th, I haven’t heard anything about financial aid yet though
 
BeHappy97 said:
On week 9 of waiting for UNC and week 7 of waiting for JHU and Columbia. Anyone else still waiting?
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Week 5 and waiting on JHU.

justhere said:
desperately waiting for JHU, verified on 12/12, 8 weeks is today 2/6!! And yes I am refreshing the portal even more frequently now as the days progress.

Any thoughts on my chance on JHU?

Undergrad: Large state school
GPA: 3.36 (Undergraduate) 3.6 (Graduate) GRE: waived - doctorate in pharmacy
Interested in: Health Policy
Applied/Applying: GWU (1/5) Dartmouth (12/12) JHU (12/12)
Accepted: GWU (1/18) + $, Dartmouth (2/1) + $
Click to expand...

They mentioned GRE makes your application competitive but given your stats and acceptances, I'd say you're a worthy candidate. Good luck!
 
dubbz09 said:
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!
Click to expand...

Ah OK thanks! Do you remember how long it lasted?
 
justhere said:
desperately waiting for JHU, verified on 12/12, 8 weeks is today 2/6!! And yes I am refreshing the portal even more frequently now as the days progress.

Any thoughts on my chance on JHU?

Undergrad: Large state school
GPA: 3.36 (Undergraduate) 3.6 (Graduate) GRE: waived - doctorate in pharmacy
Interested in: Health Policy
Applied/Applying: GWU (1/5) Dartmouth (12/12) JHU (12/12)
Accepted: GWU (1/18) + $, Dartmouth (2/1) + $
Click to expand...
A little blue bird told me that they've made all their decisions and are rolling them out now now....but take that with a grain of salt
 
el.mo19 said:
I spoke with an acquaintance whose in the public health field that went to my high school (undergrad at Hopkins and MPH from Yale), and they gave me very objective advice regarding all programs I applied to. One question I asked was if the fact I applied for Hopkins MSPH versus MPH (was eligible was thought 2 years would be more beneficial) could impact me in the future, given all the other programs I've applied to are MPHs and they said it might because it doesn't carry as much as an MPH but that coming from Hopkins it shouldn't, especially if I do decide to go for a PhD. However, depending on what my ultimate goals are, it is possible it could hinder.

Has anyone else thought much about this? Or can anyone else maybe offer more insight?
Click to expand...
This doesn't sound like very accurate or positive advice. I have a few close friends with MSPHs from Hopkins and it certainly "carries". It's Hopkins, if you're working in public health especially globally its a very respected degree. I have MSPH friends who have gone for PHDs. I wouldn't worry too much about what other people say about how far a degree will bring you....it's what you do with that degree and the connections you make that will determine your success.
 
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el.mo19 said:
I spoke with an acquaintance whose in the public health field that went to my high school (undergrad at Hopkins and MPH from Yale), and they gave me very objective advice regarding all programs I applied to. One question I asked was if the fact I applied for Hopkins MSPH versus MPH (was eligible was thought 2 years would be more beneficial) could impact me in the future, given all the other programs I've applied to are MPHs and they said it might because it doesn't carry as much as an MPH but that coming from Hopkins it shouldn't, especially if I do decide to go for a PhD. However, depending on what my ultimate goals are, it is possible it could hinder.

Has anyone else thought much about this? Or can anyone else maybe offer more insight?
Click to expand...

Not sure where you heard MSPH "doesn't carry as much as an MPH". If I've ever seen anyone making any kind of distinction, it has been that those with an MSPH have a more scientific/research-based skill-set, but this is on top of the MPH skillset. An MSPH is considered a more research-based degree and most people I know who got one did it because they planned on going for a PhD after. However, Hopkins or no (but especially Hopkins), an MSPH will in no way hold you back (and may make PhD admissions easier, if anything).
 
cramerb83 said:
This doesn't sound like very accurate or positive advice. I have a few close friends with MSPHs from Hopkins and it certainly "carries". It's Hopkins, if you're working in public health especially globally its a very respected degree. I have MSPH friends who have gone for PHDs. I wouldn't worry too much about what other people say about how far a degree will bring you....it's what you do with that degree and the connections you make that will determine your success.
Click to expand...

MPH1990 said:
Not sure where you heard MSPH "doesn't carry as much as an MPH". If I've ever seen anyone making any kind of distinction, it has been that those with an MSPH have a more scientific/research-based skill-set, but this is on top of the MPH skillset. An MSPH is considered a more research-based degree and most people I know who got one did it because they planned on going for a PhD after. However, Hopkins or no (but especially Hopkins), an MSPH will in no way hold you back (and may make PhD admissions easier, if anything).
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That's what I had thought too! I'm glad to hear that the response I heard seems to be an anomaly, because it definitely threw me off. The person made it seem like the abbreviation mattered, especially because I'm not sure at this point if I do want to pursue a PhD.

Thank you guys for your input! Definitely puts me back at ease!! (But still at the agonizing debate of where to go plus "what ifs" since I'm still waiting for a few responses)
 
From a Michigan webinar today: the first batch of merit scholarships was sent out this morning, but there are more to come (so don't lose hope if you didn't hear anything today).

Other tidbits:
-Seems the whole college town feel is a draw for people there. If this doesn't sound appealing, you should probably consider that in your decision
-Emphasized quant- and research-heavy nature of the epidemiology MPH program
-Hourly paid research opportunities are available (ie, through work study or directly with the professor) but GSRA positions (which pay a stipend and cover tuition) are generally limited to PhD students.
 
And an incredibly helpful and specific email from Columbia regarding scholarship timeline:

"Thank you for your email and congratulations on your acceptance! Admitted students who are awarded will be notified within the coming weeks. If you should have any further financial aid inquiries, you are welcome to ask our Financial Aid team."

Let's hope "coming weeks" means sooner rather than like... March. 😴
 
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armchair_cosmonaut said:
From a Michigan webinar today: the first batch of merit scholarships was sent out this morning, but there are more to come (so don't lose hope if you didn't hear anything today).

Other tidbits:
-Seems the whole college town feel is a draw for people there. If this doesn't sound appealing, you should probably consider that in your decision
-Emphasized quant- and research-heavy nature of the epidemiology MPH program
-Hourly paid research opportunities are available (ie, through work study or directly with the professor) but GSRA positions (which pay a stipend and cover tuition) are generally limited to PhD students.
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Haven’t you received merit scholarship with GRE:331 from UMich? Their criteria seems weird so far!
I’ve never imagined that the word “hollistic” becomes my nightmare! Every admissions committee who don’t want to explain their real criteria, use this word!
 
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emie said:
Anyone know when harvard is releasing sm decisions? I tried investigating past years dates but am still unclear 🙁

Congrats on everyone’s acceptances though!! It’s amazing to have so many brilliant folks enter the graduate world of PH! 🙂
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i think around 2/23!
 
emie said:
Anyone know when harvard is releasing sm decisions? I tried investigating past years dates but am still unclear 🙁

Congrats on everyone’s acceptances though!! It’s amazing to have so many brilliant folks enter the graduate world of PH! 🙂
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Hye. I just received my acceptance. Try check your email and the portal. I think they releasing the decision early this year. I am surprised also. Anyone else in same boat with me?

Congrats to everyone who got accepted. I am still waiting for another 4 colleges also.
 
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Has anybody else received the GW merit scholarships email?? we've had one 15% and one 30% until now.
 
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Memm77 said:
Has anybody else received the GW merit scholarships email?? we've had one 15% and one 30% until now.
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They didn't list a percentage in my email, but I got about 15% for each year. They just listed the name of the scholarships and the amount per year. Best of luck everyone:greedy:
 
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