MPH 2020: Applied, Accepted, Rejected, Waitlisted

[deleted1016707]

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Question about SOPHAS verification, I submitted my application 11/20, and I'm still waiting on one recommender. Transcripts and scores have all been sent and received. Would the verification process begin the moment the last recommender submits? Is it usually pretty fast if they have all the materials already?

 

[uk__med]

Has anyone applied to Harvard Chan school yet? Did they send you a confirmation email?

Harvard confirmed they received my application about a week after I submitted.

 

[tomtw_1]

I know Brown has rolling admission. Has anyone heard back yet or does anyone know how long they usually take to decide after submitting your app?

My understanding is that it's only rolling after their 2/1/2020 "priority" deadline. So the normal application process for all applications submitted between then and now -- and then rolling admission from Feb. 1 to April 1.

 

[tomtw_1]

Does anyone know the acceptance rates to Columbia, Harvard, & Yale? All health policy. Looking for relative difficulty in gaining acceptance to each.

Only thing I could find publicly available was a ASPPH report from 2011-12. Take these numbers with substantial grains of salt as they bundle all degree levels together (MPH, MS, Phd, etc.). So if a school has a higher ratio of PhD to Masters applications, the rate will be artificially low due to the baseline difficulty of getting into a PhD program - or vice versa if the school has more Master's than PhD applicants. Also a lot has changed in the past 7 years.

Acceptance rates for all degree programs by school (2012)
Columbia 59.6%
Harvard 33.5%
Yale 34.9%

link here: https://depts.washington.edu/sphnet...013/06/FINAL_ASPH-Annual-Data-Report-2011.pdf

 

[deleted1009686]

I figured I'd add my stats since the priority date is approaching! I am interested in Healthcare policy/administration so my focus would be to work with insurance laws or be part of a healthcare facility attorney team!

Undergraduate School: Public school in the south
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 2.9-3.1 (Not SOPHAS verified yet)
Major/minor: Public Health
GRE(including date taken): V-134, Q-147, AW-3.0 (taken 11/2/19)

Experience/research:
-Worked for a health consulting company and managed hospital accounts.
-Worked at an outpatient behavioral health billing office (focused on coding and insurance)
-volunteered with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
-Americorps
-was part of a research team during my last two years as an undergrad

Applying to: UCLA, USC, UCI, UC Davis, CSUN, CUNY, Columbia, San Diego State (ALL MPH)

I KNOW my GPA/GRE are very bad 🙁 and unfortunately I am unable to retake my GRE because I am applying for priority of Dec 1. I am SUPER worried that I won't get in anywhere, but I have read other threads where people have gotten in to schools with my similar GPA/GRE....I have put A LOT of time into my personal statement and multiple people have proof read it and I have great recommenders. Just hoping for the best at this point! Any TIPS AT ALL WILL HELP!!

Also, I graduated spring of 2019 and I am using this year to work and build my resume a little more and I also took a bunch of summer classes to help with my GPA but it looks like it barely put me at the 3.0 minimum for most schools....should I include that I took summer classes after graduating in my PS? I was planning not to based on other threads and since they will see it in my transcripts.

Thanks and good luck everyone!!!

 

[vzr05]

My understanding is that it's only rolling after their 2/1/2020 "priority" deadline. So the normal application process for all applications submitted between then and now -- and then rolling admission from Feb. 1 to April 1.

I received confirmation from Brown that my application was complete and I’d receive a decision in about 8-12 weeks. This was 11/18 so that would be mid-January at the earliest for me. I did have to email them to confirm receipt of all application components after they sent me an email that my application was incomplete around 11/5.

 

[Ccgmph2020]

I applied (11/18) and haven't heard from them either.

Has anyone applied to Harvard Chan school yet? Did they send you a confirmation email?

 

[SunshineWings]

Question about SOPHAS verification, I submitted my application 11/20, and I'm still waiting on one recommender. Transcripts and scores have all been sent and received. Would the verification process begin the moment the last recommender submits? Is it usually pretty fast if they have all the materials already?

Yes the verification should start right after the last recommendation is submitted! It should be verified within a few days after all items are received

 

[deleted1016707]

Yes the verification should start right after the last recommendation is submitted! It should be verified within a few days after all items are received

Thank you for the reply! Now off to bug my last recommender.

 

[m2p0h_20]

Question about SOPHAS verification, I submitted my application 11/20, and I'm still waiting on one recommender. Transcripts and scores have all been sent and received. Would the verification process begin the moment the last recommender submits? Is it usually pretty fast if they have all the materials already?

I submitted some of my applications with only two of my recommendations received and my transcript was already sent and received. I didn't have my scores sent in yet and I still got verified in 2 days.

 

[deleted1016707]

I submitted some of my applications with only two of my recommendations received and my transcript was already sent and received. I didn't have my scores sent in yet and I still got verified in 2 days.

Hmm that’s interesting. I checked the status and the transcript said received, and my scores have been sent in. However I downloaded the application and my transcript said unverified. I wonder if something went wrong?

 

[tomtw_1]

I received confirmation from Brown that my application was complete and I’d receive a decision in about 8-12 weeks. This was 11/18 so that would be mid-January at the earliest for me. I did have to email them to confirm receipt of all application components after they sent me an email that my application was incomplete around 11/5.

Hmm interesting. Getting a little frustrated with the inconsistencies (or varying terminology) between what's listed on the specific program page v. the information provided through SOPHAS. For instance, it clearly says "February 1 (priority); April 1 (space-available)" on the Brown page but has "rolling" admissions listed on SOPHAS. Unless they're going to review on a rolling basis and then fully decide after the priority deadline? Which I guess would line up with the timeline they gave you. In any case, thanks for the insight. I guess I need to submit ASAP.

Application Requirements

Applications to our graduate programs are reviewed holistically by committee.

www.brown.edu

 

[Cfp845]

Has anyone considered Duke’s MsGh degree? It looks like a great program but worried because it’s not accredited (and so a separate application from Sophas too)

 

[vzr05]

Hmm interesting. Getting a little frustrated with the inconsistencies (or varying terminology) between what's listed on the specific program page v. the information provided through SOPHAS. For instance, it clearly says "February 1 (priority); April 1 (space-available)" on the Brown page but has "rolling" admissions listed on SOPHAS. Unless they're going to review on a rolling basis and then fully decide after the priority deadline? Which I guess would line up with the timeline they gave you. In any case, thanks for the insight. I guess I need to submit ASAP.

Application Requirements

Applications to our graduate programs are reviewed holistically by committee.

www.brown.edu

I totally understand! I guess the only thing I could say is technically it is "rolling" assuming they send the same generic email with the 8-12 week time frame. My 8-12 weeks would be different than yours because I submitted a week or two earlier if that makes sense? I'll make sure to post when I get a decision from them so everyone has a time frame to go off of, LOL.

 

[jjjmha]

I figured I'd add my stats since the priority date is approaching! I am interested in Healthcare policy/administration so my focus would be to work with insurance laws or be part of a healthcare facility attorney team!

Undergraduate School: Public school in the south
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 2.9-3.1 (Not SOPHAS verified yet)
Major/minor: Public Health
GRE(including date taken): V-134, Q-147, AW-3.0 (taken 11/2/19)

Experience/research:
-Worked for a health consulting company and managed hospital accounts.
-Worked at an outpatient behavioral health billing office (focused on coding and insurance)
-volunteered with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
-Americorps
-was part of a research team during my last two years as an undergrad

Applying to: UCLA, USC, UCI, UC Davis, CSUN, CUNY, Columbia, San Diego State (ALL MPH)

I KNOW my GPA/GRE are very bad 🙁 and unfortunately I am unable to retake my GRE because I am applying for priority of Dec 1. I am SUPER worried that I won't get in anywhere, but I have read other threads where people have gotten in to schools with my similar GPA/GRE....I have put A LOT of time into my personal statement and multiple people have proof read it and I have great recommenders. Just hoping for the best at this point! Any TIPS AT ALL WILL HELP!!

Also, I graduated spring of 2019 and I am using this year to work and build my resume a little more and I also took a bunch of summer classes to help with my GPA but it looks like it barely put me at the 3.0 minimum for most schools....should I include that I took summer classes after graduating in my PS? I was planning not to based on other threads and since they will see it in my transcripts.

Thanks and good luck everyone!!!

Easier said than done, but don't focus too heavily on your GRE/GPA. Most MPH programs are far more subjective/holistic than MBA/MD/DDS/etc. programs, which means they'll appreciate a well written personal statement that outlines your passion for public health, academic struggles, etc. I spoke to a few admissions directors/committee members throughout the past few weeks and all of them mentioned that a well written personal statement and strong LORs can really tip an application.

 

[vzr05]

Anyone else apply to a program at Temple? I hadn't gotten receipt of my application from them so I spoke to admissions during the online ASPPH fair and they told me I would have a decision by today (11/25). I just got an email that they received my application and are forwarding it to the admissions committee....... ?

 

[shuney]

Just heard back on GW - got a first gen scholarship totaling $5k which is unfortunately much less than I was hoping for, but I was also expecting it with my stats.

It would at least get me started since I'd be paying as I go (working full-time, so I'll be completing the program slowly!) and hopefully taking out minimal loans.

Happy for those hearing back with good news!

 

[rap15]

GW update for everyone applying: it took them less than two business days to send me an admissions decision (accepted).

GPA: 3.31 (overall), 3.44 (biology).
GRE: 161 (Verbal), 165 (Quantitative), 6.0 (AWA).
School: Bryn Mawr

Congrats! I wonder if they’re trying to get some out before Thanksgiving. Maybe I’ll hear about my financial aid soon

 

[globalhealthgirl95]

Undergrad: Mid-size private university
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.73
Major(s): Anthropology: Global Health and the Environment, Psychology
Grad GPA (if applicable): n/a
Grad studies (if applicable): n/a
GRE(including date taken): V-158 (80th), Q- 165 (86th), W- 4.5 (81st)

Experience/research:
-Programming assistant at a residential facility for those living with HIV
-Teaching assistant for course on the HIV/AIDS epidemic
-Teaching assistant for a course on the intersection of sexual health, race, gender and policy
-Research assistant for a project looking at the health impact of a coal-fired power plant on the surrounding community
-1.5 years working for CDC in the area of homelessness (current)

Letters of Rec: 2 from supervisors, 1 from a past professor

Interested in: Health behavior, social and behavioral sciences

Applied: Yale MPH, Harvard MPH, Columbia MPH, Brown MPH (11/17) Johns Hopkins MHS and MPH (11/19)
Applying: UNC MPH
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

 

[jjjmha]

Finally under review at GWU. Applied/Verified on 11/11, under review today. Congrats to those that got in! *fingers crossed*

 

[Holliday1812]

Hey all! Like many of you, I have been looking through this thread and ones from years past to see what my chances are at getting into my desired schools or if I should be applying to more safety schools. Any feedback would be much appreciated! A little worried about my overall GPA but had a great upward trend and compelling story for shift from lower performance in lower division and great performance in upper. Also congrats to those who have already gotten accepted!

Undergrad School: Large State School
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.32 / (Public Health 4.0 / Upper Division 3.92) (SOPHAS Verified)
Major/Minor: Community Health Education / Psychology
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): Taken Nov '19: V159 (83rd) Q161(76th) AWA 4.0 (57th)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-6 months volunteer research assistant- meta-analysis on diabetes interventions, human subjects research certified
-1 year paid undergrad research assistant- 6 national and international presentations (1 first author), 3 publications in peer-reviewed journals (co-author), conducted semistructured exploratory qualitative interviews with bariatric surgery patients, data analysis, coding using NVivo software, lit reviews, etc.
-Abstract reviewer- national health education honorary sponsored posters/presentations for ASHA Conference (Invitation was extended from the national board/president of health edu honorary- a well-respected professor from the University of Florida)
-President of my health education honorary- 3 national and university chapter awards from my term
-Collegiate Champion for national non-profit
-Multiple leadership positions in other student/campus organizations
-Paid internship in the community health department at large county health division near Detroit
-8-months professional experience in behavioral health case management for top 5 largest insurance company
-Just starting position as a Coordinator for a large/local mental health non-profit in the twin cities
-Member of multiple professional organizations (APHA, SOPHE, ESG, etc)
-Study Abroad in South Africa- lived and went to school in Port Elizabeth when I was in first grade and have been back 2 other times before study aboard
-Mental health first aid, CPR, AED certified / stop the bleed trained
Other Awards during undergraduate:
National student of the year - health education honorary (undergraduate and graduate apply for this one- 110 chapters across US)
President's Award- Highest research award given to undergraduate students at my university (only 3 recipients from all majors/total senior class) - nominated by the dean of my college and picked by president committee
Student of the Year (Junoir Year)- State chapter of a national non-profit
Health Education Student of the Year for my university- NCHEC
2 university scholarships, research spotlight for the college of health professions (me and an MPH graduate student were chosen), Advisor's Award from my health edu chapter, facilitated banquets and lectures for college of health professions

LOR from honorary advisor who nominated me for national award, professor I did research assistantship for and who has written multiple LOR for awards, supervisor from internship who gave me a performance-based raise and promotion halfway through my internship(all 3 will be extremely strong)

Special factors:
3rd generation health educator going into academia


Interested in: Mental health, childhood development, obesity, stigma/discrimination, environment/systems change, mixed-methods research
Applied(include the date of application): Texas -Health science center at Houston (11/25), Michigan (11/21), Minnesota (11/20), Illinois at Chicago (11/15), Boston University (1/13), Colorado (1/13)
Accepted: Texas -Health science center at Houston (12/02)+$$, Illinois at Chicago (01/08), Minnesota (1/14), Boston University+35%, Colorado, Michigan+50%
Rejected: None!
Waitlisted: None!
Attending: University of Michigan!!

 

[honeybee77]

Hey guys, i'll post my stats later tonight, just wanted to make my questions clear:
--JHU says no more than two pages; I'm assuming this is single spaced unless told otherwise?
--Will I need to submit my applications a few days before the due date (dec 1) in order to have a verified SOPHAS by the due date? That is, does my application need to be verified by or on the due date in order to be technically complete?

Thank you!!

 

[deleted1020725]

Hey everyone, and happy holidays!! 🙂

Undergraduate School: Top 20 Public Health College
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.16
Major/minor: Public Health in Environmental Studies
Grad GPA (if applicable): n/a
GRE(including date taken): V-150 Q-150 AW-4.0 (taken 8/02/19)

Experience/research:
-1 year research assistant at well known hospital
-1 year safety intern in a corporate organization working on worker safety such as vaccination programs and heat stress
-one summer as an intern at my city's Department of Public Health as an environmental hygienist
- one summer abroad working on HIV research and tutoring
- peer reviewer for environmental health association
- Division 1 athlete

Letters of Rec: research manager at hospital, professor, and government environmental worker

Interested in: global environmental health, specifically water quality and access in developing countries



Applied: UIC (environmental and occupational health), GW (global and environmental health), Brown (global health), Drexel (environmental), Thomas Jefferson (general), Duke (global health), Penn (environmental), BU (environmental), Harvard (safety and ergonomics), and Tulane (international health and development). Applied to all on 11/7.

Accepted: GW (global environmental mph) 11/27, Drexel (environmental) 12/09, Thomas Jefferson (general track) 12/17 +$
Interview: Thomas Jefferson (general track) 11/23
Rejected: Tulane 12/2
Waitlisted:
Attending:

(will update as I apply/hear back)

 

[deleted1020725]

Hey guys, i'll post my stats later tonight, just wanted to make my questions clear:
--JHU says no more than two pages; I'm assuming this is single spaced unless told otherwise?
--Will I need to submit my applications a few days before the due date (dec 1) in order to have a verified SOPHAS by the due date? That is, does my application need to be verified by or on the due date in order to be technically complete?

Thank you!!

Hello! I was wondering about submitting before the deadline as well, but they give 3-4 weeks for SOPHAS after the deadline apparently. I read it on UIC's website:

I submitted my application on time, but SOPHAS still has not mailed my application. Is it now considered late?
The school’s deadlines are made with the 3-4 week SOPHAS verification period in mind. As long as you have e-submitted and completed your application by the deadline, it is considered on time. The verification will have no negative impact on your application.

 

[deleted1020725]

I know Brown has rolling admission. Has anyone heard back yet or does anyone know how long they usually take to decide after submitting your app?

Hey! I submitted mine last week and was verified yesterday. They said 6-8 weeks for a decision.

 

[uk__med]

Still frustrated I haven't heard back from GW or JHU!

Has anyone heard back from Columbia or NYU?

 

[jjjmha]

GW update for everyone applying: it took them less than two business days to send me an admissions decision (accepted), so you won't necessarily have to wait forever for an admissions decision (which is super anxiety-inducing!).

GPA: 3.31 (overall), 3.44 (biology).
GRE: 161 (Verbal), 165 (Quantitative), 6.0 (AWA).
School: Bryn Mawr

Congrats! Just to confirm, two business days after the "under review" Email?

Thank you!

 

[jjjmha]

Hey guys, i'll post my stats later tonight, just wanted to make my questions clear:
--JHU says no more than two pages; I'm assuming this is single spaced unless told otherwise?
--Will I need to submit my applications a few days before the due date (dec 1) in order to have a verified SOPHAS by the due date? That is, does my application need to be verified by or on the due date in order to be technically complete?

Thank you!!

Answering your second question! Personally, I would recommend submitting your application(s) on SOPHAS sooner than later as the verification process can take a bit of time as various deadlines near. It doesn't matter if its verified before the deadline.

 

[canind]

GW update for everyone applying: it took them less than two business days to send me an admissions decision (accepted), so you won't necessarily have to wait forever for an admissions decision (which is super anxiety-inducing!).

GPA: 3.31 (overall), 3.44 (biology).
GRE: 161 (Verbal), 165 (Quantitative), 6.0 (AWA).
School: Bryn Mawr

What program did you get admitted to at GW, and also congrats!!! 🙂

 

[vzr05]

Still frustrated I haven't heard back from GW or JHU!

Has anyone heard back from Columbia or NYU?

I've heard from Columbia and NYU that they're reviewing my application, but that's all! Columbia sends out a link to sign up for their portal. I think NYU gave me a 4-6 week time frame, they do rolling admissions.

 

[honeybee77]

Answering your second question! Personally, I would recommend submitting your application(s) on SOPHAS sooner than later as the verification process can take a bit of time as various deadlines near. It doesn't matter if its verified before the deadline.

Ok, so I think I am getting conflicting feedback. Does it or does it not matter if verification happens after the deadline?

 

[#godogs]

Ok, so I think I am getting conflicting feedback. Does it or does it not matter if verification happens after the deadline?

It completely depends on the school and the program. Emory, for example, requires that it's verified by the deadline while others, like Harvard, may only require SOPHAS submission and not verification on the deadline. Look at each school's admissions page and if that doesn't say contact them directly. Good luck!

 

[#godogs]

I'm also confused with the rolling vs. set deadline, especially for GW. On their admissions page it only specifically says the online program is rolling, it doesn't say that for the on-campus program that I can find, but so many of you have already heard back! Are you all applying for the online program or is the on-campus also rolling admissions and I missed it?

 

[#godogs]

I applied for the 100% on-campus program and got an admissions decision within two business days of receiving an "application under review" email. I submitted my GW application on 11/15 and was verified by 11/18.

Thanks for the response! It's a bit frustrating that I couldn't find that on their admissions page or on SOPHAS that it's rolling, but hopefully I won't be too late in the game!

 

[levothyroxine]

Has anyone heard anything from UMich, Emory, UWash, UNC regarding them receiving the application?
It's been a month and I haven't gotten any email saying they got my application. Kind of worried!

 

[Dmohr21]

I just pressed submit on my Hopkins PhD application (aka my dream program) and immediately felt like I was going to die. Now I remember why I hate application season.

 

[deleted1009686]

Easier said than done, but don't focus too heavily on your GRE/GPA. Most MPH programs are far more subjective/holistic than MBA/MD/DDS/etc. programs, which means they'll appreciate a well written personal statement that outlines your passion for public health, academic struggles, etc. I spoke to a few admissions directors/committee members throughout the past few weeks and all of them mentioned that a well written personal statement and strong LORs can really tip an application.

I also emailed/spoked to some admission committees and they said the same thing so I made sure my personal statement and recs were really good! Thank you!

 

[vzr05]

I applied for the 100% on-campus program and got an admissions decision within two business days of receiving an "application under review" email. I submitted my GW application on 11/15 and was verified by 11/18.

I wonder if it’s a program by program basis! Because I submitted and was verified by 11/15 and they confirmed they were reviewing my app on 11/18 but I haven’t heard anything from them yet. I applied to Community-Oriented Primary Care. Thanks so much for the info!!

 

[bittybettysmith]

I wonder if it’s a program by program basis! Because I submitted and was verified by 11/15 and they confirmed they were reviewing my app on 11/18 but I haven’t heard anything from them yet. I applied to Community-Oriented Primary Care. Thanks so much for the info!!

Schools often have different committees reviewing different programs’ applications (a Health Management committee separate from an Epidemiology committee, for example)

 

[TUforMD]

Hi! Would anyone be willing to take a look at my personal statement and offer any advice?

 

[piper26611]

Has anyone heard anything from UMich, Emory, UWash, UNC regarding them receiving the application?
It's been a month and I haven't gotten any email saying they got my application. Kind of worried!

For UMich I got the email confirmation about two days after I submitted. I was verified by SOPHAS the day prior, so maybe they are waiting on that? I would contact them to make sure!

 

[doubtfox]

Has anyone heard anything from UMich, Emory, UWash, UNC regarding them receiving the application?
It's been a month and I haven't gotten any email saying they got my application. Kind of worried!

I heard back from UMich today. Haven’t heard anything from Emory though. I sent my app in last week and was verified on SOPHAS yesterday.

 

[honeybee77]

Man these app fees are highway robbery. it's not like already im on my knees begging you to accept my tens of thousands of dollars or something

 

[Nikual]

I received an email from Columbia today, saying that they enjoyed reviewing my application and that in the next weeks someone will reach out to me to conduct a phone interview. Did anyone else receive that? What can I expect to be asked? Any advice highly appreciated🙂

 

[seehunde]

Anyone else still waiting on LoR's to be submitted even though you've been pestering your contacts for 3 months? 🙄 I know it shouldn't affect my chances for admission but I can't help but feel anxious

 

[vzr05]

I received an email from Columbia today, saying that they enjoyed reviewing my application and that in the next weeks someone will reach out to me to conduct a phone interview. Did anyone else receive that? What can I expect to be asked? Any advice highly appreciated🙂

Congrats!! I haven't heard from Columbia about an interview yet (fingers crossed), but I know they only do interviews for HPM. Good luck!

 

[wildcat44]

I received an email from Columbia today, saying that they enjoyed reviewing my application and that in the next weeks someone will reach out to me to conduct a phone interview. Did anyone else receive that? What can I expect to be asked? Any advice highly appreciated🙂

I received the same email. I’m not for sure what to infer from it. They said in the email that it would be informal and that they would ask about your interest on public health, background, etc.

 

[Nikual]

I received the same email. I’m not for sure what to infer from it. They said in the email that it would be informal and that they would ask about your interest on public health, background, etc.

But apparently they have already reviewed our application so that should be a good sign or does everyone automatically receive this mail? I did some research on the internet and apparently they just ask you general stuff like why columbia? why this concentration? etc.

 

[Nikual]

Congrats!! I haven't heard from Columbia about an interview yet (fingers crossed), but I know they only do interviews for HPM. Good luck!

Thanks man! I should say that I applied to the accelerated track. I assume they process apps faster for this track as there are fewer applicants. Will let you know how the interview went.

 

[Nikual]

Which program did you apply to??

accelerated MPH in HPM