MPH at outside vs. home institution?

[dextor2003]

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I've always been interested in international health/infectious disease and am interested in doing an MD/MPH but was just curious to see if it makes a difference (especially in the long run) doing the MPH at an outside program that's more prestigious and has more resources/opportunities vs. doing it at my home institution that's a local school, not really well known, doesn't have that many resources, etc. I also understand that programs with more resources and funding are able to provide more financial aid/grants, so I think that's also something I'd like take into account. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[blutie202]

I've always been interested in international health/infectious disease and am interested in doing an MD/MPH but was just curious to see if it makes a difference (especially in the long run) doing the MPH at an outside program that's more prestigious and has more resources/opportunities vs. doing it at my home institution that's a local school, not really well known, doesn't have that many resources, etc. I also understand that programs with more resources and funding are able to provide more financial aid/grants, so I think that's also something I'd like take into account. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

My vote is for that outside institution with more resources, name recognition and opportunities. Why would you consider staying at your home institution if that's the case (besides cost)?

Recommendation: check out London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) - they have phenomenal opportunities and cost significantly less than US programs (thank you England).

 

[dextor2003]

My vote is for that outside institution with more resources, name recognition and opportunities. Why would you consider staying at your home institution if that's the case (besides cost)?

Recommendation: check out London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) - they have phenomenal opportunities and cost significantly less than US programs (thank you England).

I was asking because if financially there ends up being a big difference (ie if my home institution ends up being much cheaper), then I was wondering if it would make a difference in one's career prospects/opportunities whether they get an MPH from a "top" program vs. any other local one. If the answer's no, then I'd consider just doing it at my home institution.

And I'll look into LSHTM, thanks for the reply.

 

[blutie202]

I was asking because if financially there ends up being a big difference (ie if my home institution ends up being much cheaper), then I was wondering if it would make a difference in one's career prospects/opportunities whether they get an MPH from a "top" program vs. any other local one. If the answer's no, then I'd consider just doing it at my home institution.

And I'll look into LSHTM, thanks for the reply.

The short answer is "no," it won't really matter from where you get your MPH (BUT...make sure your home institution still has faculty and the right courses for what YOU want in the MPH program). Your M.D. degree will bear way more weight than the MPH in your future years, so don't worry about that.