I mostly just asked about my chances of getting aid (because I haven't gotten anything so far), and about the possibility for RA and TA positions. I also wanted to know about the timeline of things, like when I would know for sure that I haven't received any aid and to appeal. I was encouraged to appeal but to wait until the end of March (also, I'm not even sure I haven't gotten anything yet since they aren't done giving out scholarships!).
The 38k was listed as a scholarship for me. I received 33k in loans as separate funding
Yup, merits scholarships were given out mid to late Feb. It ended today. These are handled solely by the Office of Admissions. Each department nominated award recipients. Ms. Brittany Romanson, Director of Admissions and Recruitment, takes care of all Merit Scholarship recipients.
Institutional scholarships will be announced by early march.
valbeanssss
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Heard back from CUNY early February. I contacted Columbia and they're going to release decisions early march.
Thanks!
valbeanssss
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CONGRATSS!!!
I now have the cost of attendance, but nothing showing for awards or loans. It says ‘pleased to offer you the following sources of assistance’ But then nothing.
do you know if this means I got no assistance or that they will update it at a later date?
Basically, what that means is all kinds of scholarships, merit or institutional ones, are decided by the Office of Admissions. If you are awarded a scholarship, the Office if Admissions will email you. And your financial aid package will be updated in OPUS. Therefore, starting next week, check both your email and OPUS.
That is how I interpreted from the message above.
I'm pretty sure that's how mine was before that added the loans and need-based scholarship
False alarm
It's 5k in need and 33k in loans, which adds up to 38k...I'm so done at this point
D
deleted1016707
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This morning, I accepted the offer from Harvard. Pretty excited !! DM me if anyone here is gng to HSPH this fall as well and is interested in planning for August together 🙂
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mph_md2021
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Would it be possible to transfer to Ph.D after completing the core coursework in MPH? Or is it recommended to complete the MPH program before applying to Ph.D? I am confused about because it would take at least 3 semesters to complete the coursework. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Seeiously, if you did not get a merit scholarship or, at thid point, an instutitional scholarship, federal loan is what you will pray for getting. If you get only a certain amount of fed loan offering in the financial aid award, that means the rest will be taken out on private loans. Private loans are the last thing you want to take out.
Having gone through my doctorate in the health field in the usa, we all knew too well about private loans. So, keep private loans at the minimum if you can. Otherwise, you will have a "fun" time with them when you graduate, especially if you plan on getting your doctorate after your mph.
Application to a PhD program is an entirely separate application process. I would make an appointment to speak with the chair of both the mph program and the phd you might be interested in.
Though, in preparation for a PhD, it is wise to choose your project AND advisor WISELY.
It would only make sense that they release the financial aid packages prior to VisitEmory on March 26 and 27 for those who have been admitted. VisitEmory is the opportunity for them to persuade students to accept the offer and for students to make their final decisions. Instutitional scholarships are given via email in early March though. This is because Office of Admissions are the ones who decide on the scholarships. From then on Financial Aid office will package the rest of your aid.
Would you mind explaining why we should avoid private loans vs. federal? I got a financial aid package from a school and one of the federal loans offered had a 7% interest rate, which seems ridiculously high. I know loans have a higher interest in general for grad students, so do you think private loans would have even worse interest rates than 7%?
Thanks in advance!
Each private loan's lender can set their own rules and terms. These vary widely among private loans. Fed loans give you many options to customize your needs in repayment. Most importantly of all, fed loans forgive you if you work for the gov or other qualified non-profit orgs. This will be the case for many mph graduates, the ones whose highest degrees upon graduation are mph only.
I have my doctorate in the field where people make well over $250,000usd/year (sorry, I will not be specific. These people can afford these private loans easily.
But for moh grads, you will not be make as much. So, be wise in taking out private loans. Take out only if you absolutely need it.
But for moh grads, you will not be make as much. So, be wise in taking out private loans. Take out only if you absolutely need it.
wingstwitch
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howellcait
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For undergrad my private loans interest rate was 10.5% or higher, and that's with also having a cosigner and good credit score. My advice is definitely take the federal instead
wingstwitch
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I emailed my specific program (HSB) earlier this week and was told they may not have a decision by March 6 (I was inquiring because I will be in the area and wanted to speak with faculty while there if possible). Hoping we all hear soon
vzr05
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I had to take out one small private loan during undergrad. I pay interest on it every month and have been for over 2 years and somehow I owe more than I originally took out. I’ll never take out a private loan again.
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Yup, private loans have the most mysterious formula for calculating the interests. That was why I paid off all of my private loans first upon graduation. All were paid off.
Wish you the best in all your studies.
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Yup x 1,000%! That's one of the reasons why I rejected Harvard even though I thought it might have been fun to live in Boston and, of course, have the Harvard name on my resume. It's just not worth the crippling debt. Hopkins is much more reasonably priced and, of course, is technically the better program (#1 since 1994!)
Yes, that was one of the reasons why I did not even apply to Harvard eventhough I knew I definitely could get in. At this stage in my profession, I know exactly what I need, so no wasting time applying to those schools that will not align with my professional goals.
It all comes down to the current stage in your career. If you just graduated from college, then perhaps a degree from Harvard can be justified if your final goal is to get into top med schools. However, if you goal is to work in public health, you should be thinking about the skill sets you will learn in the program, the opportunities while you are in the program, and the job placement after grad. In the real world, really, it is all CONNECTIONS. While in school, do well. If you are in a good program, your school will help you along the way to match you to top work placements.
GlobalOrthoLover
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Just heard back from Hopkins! Got selected for the Reed-Frost merit-based scholarship offering full tuition.
Feel so humbled to have been selected for such a prestigious scholarship.
Feel so humbled to have been selected for such a prestigious scholarship.
D
deleted1016707
My goodness, huge congratulations!!!
GlobalOrthoLover
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Thank you!
BRMApplicant
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I heard back about that today too! Are you thinking Hopkins over Harvard now? I'm still quite divided, but I feel like I'm leaning towards Harvard for a more specific degree.
speaking of loans the fin aid person at my school said you can take out federal loans up to the total cost of attendance at that school. Every school should have the COA published on their website. Gives a good reference for budgeting purposes too.
Federal direct loans & grad PLUS loans
Congrats!!!!!!!
ChloMo
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Completely missed this conversation, but if you have anyone with a military/DOD background in your close family, so immediate or grandparents: You can also benefit from lower loan rates. I know that's not everyone, but I have that in my family, and I took out private loans for my undergraduate degree and my interest rate has always been between 4.5-5.5%. So just a PSA for everyone with that background who might not have known!
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Congrats! You absolutely deserve that.
GlobalOrthoLover
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I’m still leaning more to Harvard actually, because I believe their degree fits my demands/needs better. It’ll be the 5th university degree I’m enrolling for, so want something specific that fits my needs exactly. I think Hopkins is a great school with an amazing program, just too broad for me.
I have a 40k external scholarship irrespective of where I’ll attend. So the difference between Hopkins and Harvard is “only” 24k.
Is anyone here an alum/current student (or considering attending) Drexel?
It was my safety from the beginning but between the merit and fellowship that I was offered it is MUCH cheaper than the next cheapest option (UNC). I would end up with only about $25k in loans while I would end up with $50k+ from UNC assuming that I could get an RA position starting second semester..
Just wondering how much ranking actually means? or would being able to say that I am the fellow make up for the fact that it isn't a top 5 school?
The fellowship would allow me to consistently work on the same research project for 18months and do research internationally for the project for my practicum..
Any insight would be really helpful! and good luck to everyone in this crazy decision making process!
It was my safety from the beginning but between the merit and fellowship that I was offered it is MUCH cheaper than the next cheapest option (UNC). I would end up with only about $25k in loans while I would end up with $50k+ from UNC assuming that I could get an RA position starting second semester..
Just wondering how much ranking actually means? or would being able to say that I am the fellow make up for the fact that it isn't a top 5 school?
The fellowship would allow me to consistently work on the same research project for 18months and do research internationally for the project for my practicum..
Any insight would be really helpful! and good luck to everyone in this crazy decision making process!
