MPH Fall 2014: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Undergrad School: Whitworth University (Spokane, WA)
Undergrad GPA: 3.55
Major/Minor: History, Theology
GradGPA (if applicable): N/A
Grad Studies (if applicable): N/A
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): 153 V, 150 Q, 5W
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-Teach for America / AmeriCorps

Applied: Boston U. (Epi), UT Health (Epi), Univ. of Virginia (Epi)
Accepted: Boston
Rejected:
Waitlisted:


Good luck to you all!


Hi, when did your application mail and when were you accepted to Boston U? I am still waiting to hear back.
 
Has anybody received information about Colorado's Admit day? I was planning on going but there's been no email regarding an agenda, where the actual events are located on campus, etc. Was I left out of something??
You should have received information about it, I would call them because you are supposed to RSVP
 
Hey guys! I have been accepted to both Mt. Sinai and NYU and not sure which one to pick. It seems like NYU has a stronger program although I would not be able to do the global health leadership (requires a grad degree) but the cost is 1422 per credit as opposed to Mt. Sinai which is only 900! Thats a huge difference to me and was wondering is anyone knew anything about the two programs to help me decide. Thanks!
 
Anyone going to the Harvard Open House this week? I am already getting nervous. Not to mention that there are only two weeks left before decision day and I still don't know what to choose. :shrug: Hoping the open house makes my decision easier...
 
Asking for a friend...but has anyone been accepted to Yale-Biostats?
 
While I got into Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota and Imperial College in London's epi programs, I made the hard choice to eliminate Michigan. The tuition cost is out-of-this-world! Additionally, I felt it was rather difficult to get any funding outside of student loans. No matter what I asked I was told go to the financial aid office. At least at Iowa I can receive in state tuition as a veteran and pay substantially lower prices similar to in state prices here in Wisconsin. Imperial College in London is one of the top three in the world and still costs less for me (as an international student) than Michigan does as out-of-state. I felt Iowa was much more considerate throughout the whole process. Also, LSHTM is a great program in London if anyone is interested.
 
Does anyone know any Global Health programs still accepting applications? I just submitted my application to Tulane last night, though would like to have a few other security blankets.
 
While I got into Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota and Imperial College in London's epi programs, I made the hard choice to eliminate Michigan. The tuition cost is out-of-this-world! Additionally, I felt it was rather difficult to get any funding outside of student loans. No matter what I asked I was told go to the financial aid office. At least at Iowa I can receive in state tuition as a veteran and pay substantially lower prices similar to in state prices here in Wisconsin. Imperial College in London is one of the top three in the world and still costs less for me (as an international student) than Michigan does as out-of-state. I felt Iowa was much more considerate throughout the whole process. Also, LSHTM is a great program in London if anyone is interested.

You could always be a TA at Michigan and get your tuition waived..
 
Does anyone know any Global Health programs still accepting applications? I just submitted my application to Tulane last night, though would like to have a few other security blankets.

USC (University of Southern California) has Global Health Leadership track. The application for Fall 2014 is due on June 1. You still have time for it 🙂
 
USC (University of Southern California) has Global Health Leadership track. The application for Fall 2014 is due on June 1. You still have time for it 🙂

Unfortunately, my Verbal Quantitative falls just below their 155 minimum. Not too much time to take the GRE.
 
Unfortunately, my Verbal Quantitative falls just below their 155 minimum. Not too much time to take the GRE.

You still have a chance though. I emailed them about it since my verbal score is way below the minimum too. The lady told me the admission committee takes all parts of the application into consideration and encouraged me to still apply. So it's really up to you if you want to give it a try!
 
Thank you! I just called them and they said the same thing. I'm going to apply! I wish they would give decisions before mid-May-->June, though I like the option of having another option.
 
Thank you! I just called them and they said the same thing. I'm going to apply! I wish they would give decisions before mid-May-->June, though I like the option of having another option.

Best luck to you!!
 
Accepted into University of Southern California (USC) for MPH in Global Health on Tuesday🙂 Still waiting to hear back from UCI, Loma Linda and UCLA (waitlisted).

Applied: Loma Linda University, USC, UCLA, UCI, SDSU & Columbia
Waitlisted: UCLA
Accepted: USC, SDSU
Denied: Columbia

**PS: I scored below average on the GRE and still managed to get waitlisted to UCLA and didn't meet the USC GRE requirement--just goes to show GRE scores do not mean everything.
Congrats on USC! That's amazing. I thought they weren't going to tell us til June! That certainly makes your decision easier. How did they notify you?
 
To everyone accepted at Michigan HMP (MHSA or MPH), please join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/MichiganHMP2016/ . I'm a current student here and I'm available for any questions. Join the group to connect with your future classmates! (P.S. You should have my email if you came for a visit day, so feel free to ask me questions through that method as well). I won't check this account often so please don't message me on here.
 
Congrats on USC! That's amazing. I thought they weren't going to tell us til June! That certainly makes your decision easier. How did they notify you?

Thank you! And they weren't but I explained to the lady I had to let another university know by April 15th and she emailed me to e-mail her the deadline and the next day I got an acceptance email and a few days later an acceptance letter.
 
Thank you! And they weren't but I explained to the lady I had to let another university know by April 15th and she emailed me to e-mail her the deadline and the next day I got an acceptance email and a few days later an acceptance letter.
oh! That's smart.. I'm in the same boat too =/ I wonder if they'll do the same for me. Who did you email specifically..Valerie?
 
Did anyone have a chance to go to the admitted student's days at either Columbia or Berkeley? Opinions? I'm pretty torn between the two. I want to leave California, move to New York and never look back but I think that may just be the reckless side of me talking. Berkeley would certainly be easier financially and they both seem like amazing programs, so I'm really not sure what to choose.
 
you can't go wrong with either programs. But going to Columbia would be a chance to live somewhere else for a change and get a different experience. It is a bit $$$ but depends what you're aiming to do. They'll both give you wonderful opportunities.
Did anyone have a chance to go to the admitted student's days at either Columbia or Berkeley? Opinions? I'm pretty torn between the two. I want to leave California, move to New York and never look back but I think that may just be the reckless side of me talking. Berkeley would certainly be easier financially and they both seem like amazing programs, so I'm really not sure what to choose.
 
Did anyone have a chance to go to the admitted student's days at either Columbia or Berkeley? Opinions? I'm pretty torn between the two. I want to leave California, move to New York and never look back but I think that may just be the reckless side of me talking. Berkeley would certainly be easier financially and they both seem like amazing programs, so I'm really not sure what to choose.

I'm going to Berkeley and wasn't able to make it to visit day. But I\ reached out to the program coordinator and asked to send me visit day materials. The packet was very helpful, it included a list of all the summer internships that current students were doing and all the companies that recruit at SPH..there's a lot, but 80% of them are in Cali. I plan to live in the bay area after I graduate, so the program is perfect for me. But if you want to move to the east coast eventually, Columbia might be the better option.
 
Last edited:
Okay, thanks! Hopefully a few people turn it down! Good luck!
Any news yet? I'm tempted to email again and ask the deadline for the first round of decisions. Any idea when that is?

EDIT: Just emailed Joanne, we should hear next week!
 
Last edited:
Undergrad School: UCLA
Undergrad GPA: 2.5

Major/Minor: Biology
GradGPA (if applicable): n/a
Grad Studeis (if applicable): n/a
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): 151Q, 155R, 6W
Expereince/Research (please, be breif):
-Bruins for public health, officer and general member
-100+ hours volunteering at Ronald Reagan/Santa Monica Hospital
-Went on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua for a week
-Expereince in a doctors office for 6 months before moving
-undergrad research on high schools/middle schools regarding nutrition and physical fitness

Appleid: SDSU, U of T, USC, CSU San Marcos (didn't send it out yet), NYU
Accepted:
Rejected: USC
Waitlisted: NYU


._.
 
So, after being offered in-state tuition at Colorado School of Public Health (At Denver campus), I'm obviously having to reconsider where I might attend.

Any Colorado-bound folks who can brief me on why you are going/want to go/are considering CSPH?
 
So, after being offered in-state tuition at Colorado School of Public Health (At Denver campus), I'm obviously having to reconsider where I might attend.

Any Colorado-bound folks who can brief me on why you are going/want to go/are considering CSPH?
Not 100% committed yet, but after attending Admit Day, I have to say I was impressed by the facilities and the faculty. Everyone seemed very nice and helpful, and the practicum and capstone experience seem to be very important there. The job placement rate was 80-85% for their graduates, I believe, and everyone seems committed to helping their students get the career in public health that they want. I know a lot of out-of-state admits were there and are concerned about tuition, but if you don't have to worry about that, then I'd say you can't go wrong with CSPH. It is a relatively new program though but it looks like they're definitely making strides in the right direction to solidify their place in the future of pubhealth.
 
So, after being offered in-state tuition at Colorado School of Public Health (At Denver campus), I'm obviously having to reconsider where I might attend.

Any Colorado-bound folks who can brief me on why you are going/want to go/are considering CSPH?

I am trying to decide between Colorado, Univ Illinois- Chicago and Texas A&M, all with a concentration in HPM. Colorado's in-state tuition is still so high @ $674 per credit hour (not sure how that compares to other schools you are looking at but it's high to me!) Cost of living in Denver is not bad, especially in Aurora (where the Anschutz Medical Campus is located) but it's also not great. I will say that Colorado is making great strides to be one of the top Public Health programs. And there is amazing research coming out of the Anschutz Medical Campus, so it's a great location to be right now, especially if you want to get that research experience. Job placement tends to focus within Colorado, so think about that when making your decision- I will say, Colorado is a great place to be! Faculty and staff are great, although, out of all the programs I have visited, they were the least welcoming and friendly and organized. I imagine this is because the school is putting their energy into building their program.

I hope that helps, let me know if there are reasons you are considering I haven't listed, it's a hard decision!
 
Not 100% committed yet, but after attending Admit Day, I have to say I was impressed by the facilities and the faculty. Everyone seemed very nice and helpful, and the practicum and capstone experience seem to be very important there. The job placement rate was 80-85% for their graduates, I believe, and everyone seems committed to helping their students get the career in public health that they want. I know a lot of out-of-state admits were there and are concerned about tuition, but if you don't have to worry about that, then I'd say you can't go wrong with CSPH. It is a relatively new program though but it looks like they're definitely making strides in the right direction to solidify their place in the future of pubhealth.

Thanks for your feedback. What about the faculty impressed you? And what kind of insight into what kinds of community/area opportunities are available for the practicum/capstone experiences was given at the admit day? For example, one thing drawing me to UMN is the Twin Cities location, providing a ton of health care, industry, and community engagement opportunities. Also just curious - what is your concentration?
 
I am trying to decide between Colorado, Univ Illinois- Chicago and Texas A&M, all with a concentration in HPM. Colorado's in-state tuition is still so high @ $674 per credit hour (not sure how that compares to other schools you are looking at but it's high to me!) Cost of living in Denver is not bad, especially in Aurora (where the Anschutz Medical Campus is located) but it's also not great. I will say that Colorado is making great strides to be one of the top Public Health programs. And there is amazing research coming out of the Anschutz Medical Campus, so it's a great location to be right now, especially if you want to get that research experience. Job placement tends to focus within Colorado, so think about that when making your decision- I will say, Colorado is a great place to be! Faculty and staff are great, although, out of all the programs I have visited, they were the least welcoming and friendly and organized. I imagine this is because the school is putting their energy into building their program.

I hope that helps, let me know if there are reasons you are considering I haven't listed, it's a hard decision!
Yes it definitely helps, thanks for your response. For me, that price for tuition is cheaper than out of state at UMN or UM (after scholarships they come to about the same price - $50-60k for the degree vs. ~$30k at Colorado). As an Iowan, obviously my cheapest choice would be UIowa, but for personal reasons I would like to go elsewhere. Additionally, I think COL won't be too surprising to me; while I do live in Iowa, rent prices are probably some of the highest in the state where I live, and my brief online searches seem to show a pretty similar price range.

Thanks for the insight about Colorado-focused job placement. While I can see myself coming back to Colorado later, there's a decent possibility that I will be relocating to the Bay Area after my degree, so that might be a hiccup. Career services/professional development isn't the deciding factor to me, but it is something done well at UMN that really draws me.

Because you mentioned putting energy into building the program and its possible impact on the welcome you received during your visit, how might this affect the educational experience there?
 
Ok - question to all - in your opinion, how much weight should be put on finances when considering your school?

Some believe you should follow the funding, and some believe you should choose where you want to go regardless of price. Where do you fall and why?
 
Ok - question to all - in your opinion, how much weight should be put on finances when considering your school?

Some believe you should follow the funding, and some believe you should choose where you want to go regardless of price. Where do you fall and why?
Some may think this is unwise, but I am basing my decision on the program which I deem is the best fit for me (where I feel all my needs will be met and my interests will be fed).

I figure that if I will have to drop about 70k in loans for most of the programs I have applied to, I might as well go to my dream program that may give me better employment opportunities, despite it being more expensive.

I hope this helps. I do agree with people who follow the funding... as long as the program meets their needs.

If you get into your DREAM school, why wouldn't you go...unless you received significant funding elsewhere? That's just my opinion!

Best of luck deciding, everyone!
 
Yes it definitely helps, thanks for your response. For me, that price for tuition is cheaper than out of state at UMN or UM (after scholarships they come to about the same price - $50-60k for the degree vs. ~$30k at Colorado). As an Iowan, obviously my cheapest choice would be UIowa, but for personal reasons I would like to go elsewhere. Additionally, I think COL won't be too surprising to me; while I do live in Iowa, rent prices are probably some of the highest in the state where I live, and my brief online searches seem to show a pretty similar price range.

Thanks for the insight about Colorado-focused job placement. While I can see myself coming back to Colorado later, there's a decent possibility that I will be relocating to the Bay Area after my degree, so that might be a hiccup. Career services/professional development isn't the deciding factor to me, but it is something done well at UMN that really draws me.

Because you mentioned putting energy into building the program and its possible impact on the welcome you received during your visit, how might this affect the educational experience there?

It was just very different from my experience with other schools. For instance, when I visited Texas A&M, I felt very welcomed and wanted- as silly as that sounds. It's a smaller program there and the faculty really reaches out to connect with you and I have had a great experience with communication between them. And overall, the environment felt like something I would feel comfortable working in. Whereas some schools, it wasn't as great of an experience and I felt like the faculty didn't want to connect with me. I feel that a more engaged staff will increase my success and my learning because they will be available to assist me if needed and they will help me engage with the material and with networking and connecting outside of the school. But, I am a very social learner, very outgoing and groups are where I learn best. This differs from other students who may prefer to work and learn on their own. Colorado is by no means disengaged, I just felt that other schools gave me a better experience with that. I also look for that when I think of moving outside of Colorado. I have a lot of connections and have built a lot of networks within the public health field in Denver already, but moving out of state will challenge me to build those somewhere else. I prefer a school that will assist me with that and support my desire to build potential networks as I go through the program.
However, I am different because I am only in my early 20s but I am a single mom. Therefore, there are constraints that I have to overcome that other students do not and factors I have to consider that others do not. Some campuses felt more flexible and accommodating to that than others. I have no doubt Colorado will be an amazing experience for you, especially if the tuition is attractive to you there. Let me know if you do decide to go and have any questions about Demver. I would be happy to help in any way!
 
Silly question, but for those going to Yale's admitted students day, what are you planning on wearing? I am trying not to be too overdressed or underdressed. Thanks!
 
Congratulations! That's a big move! I'm still thinking about it.
Yeah, it's a huge move! And I know this sounds lame, but it'll also be the first time I'm living on my own. I'm so excited and nervous, but it's about time I grow the hell up haha.

Where are you originally from? And what schools have you narrowed down your decision to?
 
@calibabygirl I'm from SF Bay Area. I just got accepted to Columbia yesterday but before that I was really planning on going to Boston or SDSU. I'm still waiting for UCI, but I think I'm leaning towards Columbia. I really like BU's program offerings but I had my eye on Columbia for awhile. I haven't put in an official word yet. Not too crazy on the move, but excited about a new adventure.
 
Silly question, but for those going to Yale's admitted students day, what are you planning on wearing? I am trying not to be too overdressed or underdressed. Thanks!

I'm not going unfortunately, but I don't think the events of the day call for anything too super dressed. The schedule and the way they make it sound on fb it seems like its supposed to be a relax-and-get-some-info day.

Look nice but i don't think jeans will make you feel out of place.
 
@calibabygirl I'm from SF Bay Area. I just got accepted to Columbia yesterday but before that I was really planning on going to Boston or SDSU. I'm still waiting for UCI, but I think I'm leaning towards Columbia. I really like BU's program offerings but I had my eye on Columbia for awhile. I haven't put in an official word yet. Not too crazy on the move, but excited about a new adventure.
Oh so you're from California too? Cool. Congrats on Columbia! I've always wanted to live in NYC but I didn't apply to any schools there.

I go to SDSU right now, so if you have any questions I'd be happy to try to answer them! 🙂 I'm not in the public health program though so I don't know a lot about it.

I guess it really depends on what you're looking for. SDSU has a really cheap tuition but it won't be too much of a new experience for you. In my opinion SF > SD, except for the weather. Columbia sounds amazing though!!!

Good luck 🙂
 
Since final verdict is out I might as well write my stat:

Undergrad School: UC Berkeley
Undergrad GPA: 3.77
Major/Minor: MCB-Neurobiology / Statistics
GRE: V-162, Quant: 167, Writ: 5, taken on Nov 25th 2013
Experience/Research: Two health conf presentations, Pub Health proj with Oakland Hospital (1 year), Publication (1), Summer Intern (3) with pharma companies

Applied: Columbia, Dartmouth, Emory, UCLA, UCI, UPENN, Yale and UC Berkeley (8)
Accepted: Columbia, Dartmouth, Emory, UCLA, UCI, UPENN and Yale
Rejected: UC Berkeley 😡 .

Attending:
UCLA MPH (2 yr) with full-scholarship:luck:
Thanks
 
Last edited:
That's very true. I wish they had a global health epi track. I would have loved to do that. Yes, I spoke to Valerie--did you ever contact her about your situation? SDSU is very affordable but I prefer USC because I feel they have more connections with global health orgs for my track. I wish sdsu had a global health track that would've been great!

HiHiii! I just got into USC's biostats/epi program!! OMG!! It's so surreal!! Did you accept their offer yet? 🙂
 
Last edited:
Ok - question to all - in your opinion, how much weight should be put on finances when considering your school?

Some believe you should follow the funding, and some believe you should choose where you want to go regardless of price. Where do you fall and why?

I think costs are very important unless you plan on going into pharma or big consulting where you can pay off loans pretty quickly or if you have a ton saved up already (or have a spouse with a high paying job!). I don't think it's wise to be in a lot of debt if you plan on working in public health.

Costs were definitely a big issue for me, I don't want to be in ANY debt when I graduate..granted I'm a little bit older than most of you. This is a major reason why I chose to go to Berkeley where I found a research assistant position (pretty easy to do) which will cover my tuition. The rest of the costs I will be able to pay since I worked for 5 years after undergrad. Of course the same situation doesn't apply to everyone. I just don't want to be forced to work in a high-paying job that doesn't match my interests just to pay off debt. Also, I'd like to buy a condo/house and start a family relatively soon, so being in a ton of debt just isn't practical.

Aside from cost, the biggest factor was location. I want to live in the bay area after graduation so I want to build my professional and personal network there.
 
So, after being offered in-state tuition at Colorado School of Public Health (At Denver campus), I'm obviously having to reconsider where I might attend.

Any Colorado-bound folks who can brief me on why you are going/want to go/are considering CSPH?

I am committing to Colorado for Global Health Systems, Management and Policy for Fall 2014. Some factors that influenced my decision:
  1. Finances - getting in-state tuition due to the Western Regional Graduate Program, put my way through undergrad so saving some money for graduate school will be a blessing when it comes time to start paying off those loans! While still higher it's better than paying $50,000+ for a two-year program.
  2. Program - Concentrating in global health and health systems, management and policy is perfect for what I hope my career will be with application both at the global and national level. Also the smaller size and more accessible professors are is always a plus -- Additionally, UCD has a WHO Collaborative Center on their campus which is attractive to me for doing further global health work!
  3. Location - Family is from PNW and Utah, I get to explore a new place but still be somewhat close to home (closer than the east coast or the south)
  4. Weather/Geography - I like my seasons and hiking. Colorado fits both those needs
While I was waiting for decisions to come in, I had a wonderful conversation with one of my professors about going somewhere that will make you happy - not whether the school is the best one in the nation because at the end of the day you'll remember the relationships you built and will end up with the degree you want. As other people have stated Colorado's program is fairly new but their medical campus is widely recognized for the research coming out of there. All that matters at the end of the day is choosing a program that will satisfy your needs. To help me decide, I compared schools on an excel sheet writing out all the details afterwards it was pretty obvious where I wanted to go. 🙂
 
Does anyone know how long Tulane's decision take to get? I know they're on a rolling basis, though I believe that they're not a lot of applicants at this time so decisions should be rendered quickly. Can anyone confirm this?
 
Top