MPH 2020: Applied, Accepted, Rejected, Waitlisted

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mdtrisha said:
thank you so much for sharing this info!
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A lot depends as well on where you want to work, and what your educational background is, and the clauses on your student visa.
For instance, if you study with a Fulbright scholarship, there is a “return clause” on your student visa, which exempts you from any immigrant visa or employment in the US in the 2 years after your student visa expired.

If you want to work for an NGO, a university or an international organization, usually visas are not the issue. The issue is usually, or getting the position, or finding an employer that offers more than short term contracts.

I know quite some international students who were able to assure a visa and a position after an MPH. Most of them hold an MD and/or an MBA as well, so that helps. But many left as well after a few months, since finding a public health position that pays the bills in cities like NYC, SF or Boston is not easy...
 
DPM20 said:
Has anyone who submitted to Columbia by the priority deadline not heard back yet?
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I applied for 2 year MPH in Epi on 11/18 and haven’t heard back yet. Columbia is a big reach for me, so I wouldn’t be shocked to get rejected.
 
GlobalOrthoLover said:
A lot depends as well on where you want to work, and what your educational background is, and the clauses on your student visa.
For instance, if you study with a Fulbright scholarship, there is a “return clause” on your student visa, which exempts you from any immigrant visa or employment in the US in the 2 years after your student visa expired.

If you want to work for an NGO, a university or an international organization, usually visas are not the issue. The issue is usually, or getting the position, or finding an employer that offers more than short term contracts.

I know quite some international students who were able to assure a visa and a position after an MPH. Most of them hold an MD and/or an MBA as well, so that helps. But many left as well after a few months, since finding a public health position that pays the bills in cities like NYC, SF or Boston is not easy...
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I have an MD and with MPH, I would like to work with non-profit organizations. I’m also considering Ph.D in public health (Epidemiology most likely). Could you kindly suggest how I could get in touch with any international students working after their MPH? I would really appreciate your help!
 
I asked Tufts about financial aid and they pretty much said that most students will not receive aid. They mentioned that because they are a subset of the medical school, dispersion of funds are very different from standalone public health programs; however, they claim to be different in that they offer a high number of TA/Research positions and that they find themselves to be a few thousand dollars cheaper than their competitors. If you are selected to receive aid, you’ll likely find out in March.
 
rwm2266 said:
What do y’all think about Yale vs Columbia?
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I only have knowledge of the HCM/MHA programs, but something striking that happened during my Columbia interview with a second year student was that the student seemed to really highlight the negatives of the program. He mentioned that there was very little career support, no real mentorship from professors, lots of busy work and group work, no time to really work or do extracurricular activities (at least for the first year), and living costs in New York are very expensive. While this is only one view of the program, it did leave a bad taste in my mouth, especially since this was during my interview where they were supposed to be actually selling the program.
 
LiveTheMoment98 said:
Is there a lack of employers that would support the visa? I am also an international applicant looking to work in California ideally
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I'm an international student (and employee). If you are on an F1 visa to attend school, for any sort of degree, you can apply to an F1 Visa Optional Practical Training (OPT) 3 months before you graduate. Once you apply, you will be granted a work authorization document that allows you to work anywhere (that doesn't require US citizenship) for 1 year but this can be extended for STEM degrees for 2 more years. You typically don't need sponsorship from employers if you do OPT. The only thing you need them for is signing a few documents. However, if you want to do a fellowship with the CDC (like the ORISE/CDC fellowship), please note that you can only work for them on the first year of OPT not the extended years.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions about working in the US as an international student
 
thebaconsmuggler said:
I'm an international student (and employee). If you are on an F1 visa to attend school, for any sort of degree, you can apply to an F1 Visa Optional Practical Training (OPT) 3 months before you graduate. Once you apply, you will be granted a work authorization document that allows you to work anywhere (that doesn't require US citizenship) for 1 year but this can be extended for STEM degrees for 2 more years. You typically don't need sponsorship from employers if you do OPT. The only thing you need them for is signing a few documents. However, if you want to do a fellowship with the CDC (like the ORISE/CDC fellowship), please note that you can only work for them on the first year of OPT not the extended years.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions about working in the US as an international student
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Hi! Is it all right if I PM you with some questions regarding post-graduation employment as an international student?. I am probably doing an MHS at Johns Hopkins, and I´m planning on using the OPT for the whole three years you`re allowed to. Thank you!
 
thinkingaboutmph said:
Congrats! Did you get an email or find out from the portal? I'm waiting for applied epi as well
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Thanks! I got an email with a subject line that said "Your Admission Decision" and it directed me to an update in the portal.
 
Hopkins said I should heard back in 2-3 weeks after they started reviewing my app, and it’s been 3 weeks today. I’m pretty convinced I didn’t get in since I didn’t into Emory. Is it frowned upon to reach out again in a week?
 
CarissasWeird said:
I only have knowledge of the HCM/MHA programs, but something striking that happened during my Columbia interview with a second year student was that the student seemed to really highlight the negatives of the program. He mentioned that there was very little career support, no real mentorship from professors, lots of busy work and group work, no time to really work or do extracurricular activities (at least for the first year), and living costs in New York are very expensive. While this is only one view of the program, it did leave a bad taste in my mouth, especially since this was during my interview where they were supposed to be actually selling the program.
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i also had this vibe during my interview. i've yet to hear back from columbia for HPM but i'm 99% set on committing to yale
 
thebaconsmuggler said:
I'm an international student (and employee). If you are on an F1 visa to attend school, for any sort of degree, you can apply to an F1 Visa Optional Practical Training (OPT) 3 months before you graduate. Once you apply, you will be granted a work authorization document that allows you to work anywhere (that doesn't require US citizenship) for 1 year but this can be extended for STEM degrees for 2 more years. You typically don't need sponsorship from employers if you do OPT. The only thing you need them for is signing a few documents. However, if you want to do a fellowship with the CDC (like the ORISE/CDC fellowship), please note that you can only work for them on the first year of OPT not the extended years.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions about working in the US as an international student
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Hey! Would it be okay if I send you a personal message? 😊
 
CarissasWeird said:
I only have knowledge of the HCM/MHA programs, but something striking that happened during my Columbia interview with a second year student was that the student seemed to really highlight the negatives of the program. He mentioned that there was very little career support, no real mentorship from professors, lots of busy work and group work, no time to really work or do extracurricular activities (at least for the first year), and living costs in New York are very expensive. While this is only one view of the program, it did leave a bad taste in my mouth, especially since this was during my interview where they were supposed to be actually selling the program.
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vc226 said:
i also had this vibe during my interview. i've yet to hear back from columbia for HPM but i'm 99% set on committing to yale
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Do either of you know if you talked to MPH or MHA students? I'm curious if its the entire HPM department or just the MHA program that gave you both bad vibes. My interviewer and I didn't go super in depth, but I didn't get bad feelings about the program from her (MPH student). Thanks in advance!!
 
basalganglia_ said:
Hopkins said I should heard back in 2-3 weeks after they started reviewing my app, and it’s been 3 weeks today. I’m pretty convinced I didn’t get in since I didn’t into Emory. Is it frowned upon to reach out again in a week?
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Try following up with a phone call if you emailed them previously. I would give it a couple more days though since today is week 3.
 
vzr05 said:
Do either of you know if you talked to MPH or MHA students? I'm curious if its the entire HPM department or just the MHA program that gave you both bad vibes. My interviewer and I didn't go super in depth, but I didn't get bad feelings about the program from her (MPH student). Thanks in advance!!
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Mine was an MHA student!
 
thebaconsmuggler said:
I'm an international student (and employee). If you are on an F1 visa to attend school, for any sort of degree, you can apply to an F1 Visa Optional Practical Training (OPT) 3 months before you graduate. Once you apply, you will be granted a work authorization document that allows you to work anywhere (that doesn't require US citizenship) for 1 year but this can be extended for STEM degrees for 2 more years. You typically don't need sponsorship from employers if you do OPT. The only thing you need them for is signing a few documents. However, if you want to do a fellowship with the CDC (like the ORISE/CDC fellowship), please note that you can only work for them on the first year of OPT not the extended years.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions about working in the US as an international student
Click to expand...
Would there be any need to change your visa to work in the summer between your 2 years of grad school? For instance the practicum between years 1 and 2?
 
astro08 said:
Hi! Is it all right if I PM you with some questions regarding post-graduation employment as an international student?. I am probably doing an MHS at Johns Hopkins, and I´m planning on using the OPT for the whole three years you`re allowed to. Thank you!
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Sure thing!
 
canind said:
Would there be any need to change your visa to work in the summer between your 2 years of grad school? For instance the practicum between years 1 and 2?
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Hi! I don't think so. If you are on F1 visa attending a school you most likely have to apply for the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if you plan on working outside of campus (not affiliated). This allows you to do something like internships or work experience required by practicums. I've worked plenty of on-campus research jobs before that didn't require CPT so you can totally work on campus without having to apply. I'm 99% sure on this but please anyone correct me if I am wrong.
 
thebaconsmuggler said:
I'm an international student (and employee). If you are on an F1 visa to attend school, for any sort of degree, you can apply to an F1 Visa Optional Practical Training (OPT) 3 months before you graduate. Once you apply, you will be granted a work authorization document that allows you to work anywhere (that doesn't require US citizenship) for 1 year but this can be extended for STEM degrees for 2 more years. You typically don't need sponsorship from employers if you do OPT. The only thing you need them for is signing a few documents. However, if you want to do a fellowship with the CDC (like the ORISE/CDC fellowship), please note that you can only work for them on the first year of OPT not the extended years.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions about working in the US as an international student
Click to expand...
Hi, thank you so much for your comment. It was very informative! What happens after the one year OPT? You would need to secure a job that covers the working visa right?
 
Seeing past years trends, does anyone know, what is the last date (approximately) till which Columbia send out decision letters?
 
LiveTheMoment98 said:
Hi, thank you so much for your comment. It was very informative! What happens after the one year OPT? You would need to secure a job that covers the working visa right?
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Yes, the Stem OPT after the one year OPT requires full-time (20+ hours) employment. You can do things like internships, fellowships, volunteering, or full-time employment in the first year but for the extension you must secure employment in your degree field (although in the application forms you can twist the wording to make it sound like your job is more related to your degree and no one would know).

Please note that your employer does not have to sponsor you (just sign a few documents for your OPT extension app) but must be enrolled in E-verify, which allows them to check whether you're authorized to work with them. In addition, you must have an offer letter from an employer before you can apply for the Stem OPT.
 
CarissasWeird said:
I only have knowledge of the HCM/MHA programs, but something striking that happened during my Columbia interview with a second year student was that the student seemed to really highlight the negatives of the program. He mentioned that there was very little career support, no real mentorship from professors, lots of busy work and group work, no time to really work or do extracurricular activities (at least for the first year), and living costs in New York are very expensive. While this is only one view of the program, it did leave a bad taste in my mouth, especially since this was during my interview where they were supposed to be actually selling the program.
Click to expand...

I spoke w/ an MHA student and basically heard the same thing. This isn't to say that Columbia has a bad program (wouldn't be ranked so highly if it was), but it does draw a few red flags for me when multiple (or maybe it's the same student lol) interviewers have said similar things.

The student I spoke with said that if you're a highly independent and proactive person, you should have no problems at Columbia because they do give plenty of opportunities. However, if you're someone who really depends on others for help or would like the program to be really hands-on, you may struggle with this and the program may not be the right fit for you.

In the end, think carefully and choose wisely.
 
Hi I got into Boston University MPH program with a 35% scholarship offer, and to UCSD MPH program with no financial aid so far. I'm from California and prefer to stay here, but am also considering Boston now since they offered me a scholarship. Anyone that's been to these programs or had experience applying to MPH programs have any advice in terms of scholarships or the type of programs these master programs are like?

Accepted: UCSD, Boston University

Still waiting to hear back: UCLA, UCI, USC, UC Davis.

Rejected: Harvard, Johns Hopkins
 
has anyone else applied to UNC’s online program or Maryland’s online program? I haven’t seen much chatter about either program on here.

Two years ago, I thought for sure I’d be applying for in-person full time programs, but after working full-time this long and meeting my significant other, my priorities have become 1) not going into tremendous debt and 2) staying in Washington, DC! I wish there were more options here besides GW...

anyone else in a similar situation?
 
Lakers4Life24 said:
Hi I got into Boston University MPH program with a 35% scholarship offer, and to UCSD MPH program with no financial aid so far. I'm from California and prefer to stay here, but am also considering Boston now since they offered me a scholarship. Anyone that's been to these programs or had experience applying to MPH programs have any advice in terms of scholarships or the type of programs these master programs are like?

Accepted: UCSD, Boston University

Still waiting to hear back: UCLA, UCI, USC, UC Davis.

Rejected: Harvard, Johns Hopkins
Click to expand...

It ultimately depends on your interests (i.e. EPI, HCM, etc.). Different programs will offer different opportunities, and different programs will naturally be better for different concentrations. I am unable to share personal insight into either program, but I had an opportunity to speak with a couple BUSPH students and the admissions director at BUSPH. I posted about my conversations on a previous post (should be a couple pages back). As important as it is to consider curriculum, consider living cost as well.
 
Lakers4Life24 said:
Hi I got into Boston University MPH program with a 35% scholarship offer, and to UCSD MPH program with no financial aid so far. I'm from California and prefer to stay here, but am also considering Boston now since they offered me a scholarship. Anyone that's been to these programs or had experience applying to MPH programs have any advice in terms of scholarships or the type of programs these master programs are like?

Accepted: UCSD, Boston University

Still waiting to hear back: UCLA, UCI, USC, UC Davis.

Rejected: Harvard, Johns Hopkins
Click to expand...
Hi, can I ask when did you hear from Harvard? And which program did you apply to?
 
Lakers4Life24 said:
Hi I got into Boston University MPH program with a 35% scholarship offer, and to UCSD MPH program with no financial aid so far. I'm from California and prefer to stay here, but am also considering Boston now since they offered me a scholarship. Anyone that's been to these programs or had experience applying to MPH programs have any advice in terms of scholarships or the type of programs these master programs are like?

Accepted: UCSD, Boston University

Still waiting to hear back: UCLA, UCI, USC, UC Davis.

Rejected: Harvard, Johns Hopkins
Click to expand...


when did you hear back from harvard?
 
Lakers4Life24 said:
Hi I got into Boston University MPH program with a 35% scholarship offer, and to UCSD MPH program with no financial aid so far. I'm from California and prefer to stay here, but am also considering Boston now since they offered me a scholarship. Anyone that's been to these programs or had experience applying to MPH programs have any advice in terms of scholarships or the type of programs these master programs are like?

Accepted: UCSD, Boston University

Still waiting to hear back: UCLA, UCI, USC, UC Davis.

Rejected: Harvard, Johns Hopkins
Click to expand...
BU, even with scholarship, will probably be way more expensive than UCSD considering you're a CA resident. compare the costs of both & program quality.
 
rap15 said:
has anyone else applied to UNC’s online program or Maryland’s online program? I haven’t seen much chatter about either program on here.

Two years ago, I thought for sure I’d be applying for in-person full time programs, but after working full-time this long and meeting my significant other, my priorities have become 1) not going into tremendous debt and 2) staying in Washington, DC! I wish there were more options here besides GW...

anyone else in a similar situation?
Click to expand...

Can I ask why you don't want to go to GW? I'm assuming tuition is one factor given your debt comment, but anything else?
 
mdtrisha said:
I have an MD and with MPH, I would like to work with non-profit organizations. I’m also considering Ph.D in public health (Epidemiology most likely). Could you kindly suggest how I could get in touch with any international students working after their MPH? I would really appreciate your help!
Click to expand...
You will most definitely meet several international students during your MPH, as well as possible future employers. If you decide to attend a program/school with a high influx of international students, I wouldn’t worry too much 🙂

you’ll meet enough people next year to show you around!
 
vzr05 said:
Do either of you know if you talked to MPH or MHA students? I'm curious if its the entire HPM department or just the MHA program that gave you both bad vibes. My interviewer and I didn't go super in depth, but I didn't get bad feelings about the program from her (MPH student). Thanks in advance!!
Click to expand...
mine was an MPH student! they were super nice and i think had good intentions in telling me the information, i’m just the kind of student that uses extracurriculars as an outlet from academia and it seemed that (after both my interview and campus visits to yale and columbia) it was more possible for me to do that at yale during my first semester than at columbia 🙂
 
A little late to post this but I was accepted to USC on 12/17 (submitted 11/30). I have seen a few people posting about UCLA acceptances, but I am still waiting to hear back. Does anyone have any idea when we should be hearing back?
 
I was just accepted to Columbia for MPH in Population and Family Health (ready for review Dec. 5th, accepted 2/4). Does anyone have more info about the MPH program or the school as a whole? Any insight would be greatly appreciated since I probably won't be able to visit (I currently live in Portland, Oregon).
 
mosicles said:
I was just accepted to Columbia for MPH in Population and Family Health (ready for review Dec. 5th, accepted 2/4). Does anyone have more info about the MPH program or the school as a whole? Any insight would be greatly appreciated since I probably won't be able to visit (I currently live in Portland, Oregon).
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Congratulations Did you receive an email or saw it in the portal or both?
 
thinkingaboutmph said:
Has anybody heard anything from Colorado? I hadn't been thinking about it because it's not a top choice for me but I realized I haven't heard anything from them at all since I submitted my app
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I heard back on Monday (Feb. 3) and I applied Jan 14. The acceptance was in an email titled "Colorado School of Public Health admissions decision".
 
mosicles said:
I was just accepted to Columbia for MPH in Population and Family Health (ready for review Dec. 5th, accepted 2/4). Does anyone have more info about the MPH program or the school as a whole? Any insight would be greatly appreciated since I probably won't be able to visit (I currently live in Portland, Oregon).
Click to expand...
Congratulations!!
 
carla123 said:
Was waiting to see posts about Colorado on here! Pending some life decisions about making a cross-country move, it's actually one of my top choices due to the location and ability to qualify for in-state tuition after the first year. However, it's been hard to find recent objective information about the program and how it's viewed with the PH community, so any info people have is extremely welcomed!

So I actually submitted on the day of the priority deadline (1/15), and received a generic acceptance email barely a week later! At first, I was so confused by the quick turnaround time I was almost worried it was a mistake. Has anyone else been accepted yet?

Additionally, the email had absolutely no mention of scholarships and aid- it didn't indicate if I had/hadn't received any and also didn't say if that info would come at a later time. Does anyone know what their usual protocol for this is, or whether they commonly offer merit-based scholarships outside of the few mentioned on the site that are intended to promote diversity?

Looking forward to reading any input anyone has!
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I applied 1/14 and was accepted 2/3. I emailed them about financial aid and they responded:
"You are automatically considered for most scholarships that we offer when you submit your application. Detailed information about all scholarships can be found on our website. Scholarships are administered through our school, not the Office of Financial Aid. If you receive a scholarship, you will be notified by our school via email. Every department makes their own decisions regarding scholarships. Departments start to send out scholarship offers in February; offers may continue throughout the admissions cycle (through May). Scholarship amounts vary, but we usually see scholarships offered in amounts from $2,000 up to $10,000.

If you are interested in federal student aid, please complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA school code is 004508. Once you complete the FAFSA, you will be able to get an estimate of your student loan amounts through the Office of Financial Aid."

Hope this helps!
 
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