MPH Fall 2015: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected!

[JewcyFruit]

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To BU people, did anyone get an email this morning from your department? I got one welcoming me to maternal and child health, except I applied for epi. I'm going to be majorly disappointed if after all this time I thought I was in for epi if they in fact admitted me for something I didn't apply for.

 

[IntriguedStudent]

To BU people, did anyone get an email this morning from your department? I got one welcoming me to maternal and child health, except I applied for epi. I'm going to be majorly disappointed if after all this time I thought I was in for epi if they in fact admitted me for something I didn't apply for.

I received a welcome e-mail from the epidemiology department back at the end of January. It is the department I applied to, however. You should definitely call ASAP and get that cleared up. Did you ever receive an e-mail from them saying that they thought you would be better suited for the MCH concentration?

 

[magnova28]

To BU people, did anyone get an email this morning from your department? I got one welcoming me to maternal and child health, except I applied for epi. I'm going to be majorly disappointed if after all this time I thought I was in for epi if they in fact admitted me for something I didn't apply for.

I got one today from a professor in Epi last night

 

[powerage]

I got one today from a professor in Epi last night

Same.

 

[algood]

To BU people, did anyone get an email this morning from your department? I got one welcoming me to maternal and child health, except I applied for epi. I'm going to be majorly disappointed if after all this time I thought I was in for epi if they in fact admitted me for something I didn't apply for.

I havent gotten anything, but I was just accepted a few days ago.

 

[IntriguedStudent]

I havent gotten anything, but I was just accepted a few days ago.

It took me about a month and a half before I received an e-mail from my department. I was accepted in mid-December though, so the holidays put a delay on it.

 

[algood]

What was everyones timeline for hearing back from NYU and Tulane?

 

[eag1292]

If you don't mind me asking, when did you hear back from Claremont? I applied to the dual MPH/MA program, si they said it would take longer, but I'm dying to find out.

I found out late december, but i only applied to the MPH program, not a dual...I'm assuming dual programs take longer since both have to look at your application!

 

[jhinca05]

What was everyones timeline for hearing back from NYU and Tulane?

I applied to NYU right at their deadline, and haven't heard back quite yet-but that isn't surprising. Has anyone heard back from University of Michigan?

 

[eag1292]

Do you mind letting me know... when did you hear from UNC Health Behavior? I'm anxiously awaiting any news from them, even sent an email to admissions asking about a timeline early last week and didn't hear back. Was it via email or the portal?

They emailed me on 1/20 saying a decision has been posted in the portal...I applied relatively early (by 11/1) which is prob why they sent my decision already, so maybe they'll be getting back to you soon! Also, I'm guessing rejections are easier to hand out haha

 

[algood]

I applied to NYU right at their deadline, and haven't heard back quite yet-but that isn't surprising. Has anyone heard back from University of Michigan?

Same, why I am wondering.

 

[kismet1992]

What was everyones timeline for hearing back from NYU and Tulane?

3/11/2014: Applied to NYU
5/11/2014: SOPHAS verified
11/11/2014: Received application complete and under review e-mail from NYU
2/2/2015: Received decision

 

[spelmanfam]

What was everyones timeline for hearing back from NYU and Tulane?

My Tulane Timeline:
Application Submitted: Dec 5
Accepted via email: January 17

 

[Frederc3]

An e-mail. It came at 6:25 PM, so it can come after the work day. I applied to the MPH through SOPHAS. I know other programs have different processes there.

Thank you for the details and sorry to hear about that outcome though it is heartening to see that you will have a hard time of deciding between some excellent programs, regardless!

 

[jazzy_cakes]

What was everyones timeline for hearing back from NYU and Tulane?

I was SOPHAS verified on 11/19 and was accepted to NYU on 1/27. They said their admissions decisions are pretty random according the SOPHAS virtual fair. Your decision will be coming soon!

 

[KPZ]

Thank you for the details and sorry to hear about that outcome though it is heartening to see that you will have a hard time of deciding between some excellent programs, regardless!

Thank you - Kind of a bummer, but I didn't expect to get in since I am a career changer and don't have any experience in public health.

On Post-bac pre-med courses for anyone who's curious now or in the future: I contacted the Columbia admissions department and they said it is not possible to be simultaneously enrolled in the post-bac program, and they didn't think I would have time to fit any pre-med courses into my schedule while there. Emory had said that it is possible to use some of your elective credits for pre-med courses, but I think for the most part my certificate will take those up. I am going to ask other schools as well so I may update this post in the future.

I still don't know if I'd rather get an MD, PhD, or JD after my MPH so maybe it's for the best if I can't co-enroll in a post-bac pre-med program.

 

[mphlurker]

I applied to Drexel over a week ago but have not gotten any confirmation that my application was received. What was everyone's experience with this? All the other schools sent a confirmation email within a day or two. Just want to make sure I don't have an annoying call to make 😀

 

[mphlurker]

Has anyone looked into the 1 year MPH from Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia? It's for those who have more schooling afterwards. I'm confused whether you need to have concrete plans (like acceptances) to get in.

 

[KPZ]

PS: Columbia does not have travel grants for their admitted students day

 

[algood]

I applied to Drexel over a week ago but have not gotten any confirmation that my application was received. What was everyone's experience with this? All the other schools sent a confirmation email within a day or two. Just want to make sure I don't have an annoying call to make 😀

It took me a few (3 weeks) to get the confirmation email (which was actually a login and password to their application site), but got a decision a week later. 🙂

 

[jxa216]

Just accepted at Columbia for MS in Biostatistics with a concentration in Pharmaceutical Statistics!

God damn it, things were so much easier when I thought I knew where I was going :/

 

[mphlurker]

It took me a few (3 weeks) to get the confirmation email (which was actually a login and password to their application site), but got a decision a week later. 🙂

Oh okay! Thank you!!

 

[sheems93]

Oh okay! Thank you!!

I received a login/password for the Drexel portal, however it's been saying my application is "incomplete" for awhile now due to missing test scores...even though SOPHAS has had my scores for three months. I'm not sure what that means for a decision!

 

[powerage]

I received a login/password for the Drexel portal, however it's been saying my application is "incomplete" for awhile now due to missing test scores...even though SOPHAS has had my scores for three months. I'm not sure what that means for a decision!

Did you send your test scores directly to the school?

 

[IntriguedStudent]

I received a login/password for the Drexel portal, however it's been saying my application is "incomplete" for awhile now due to missing test scores...even though SOPHAS has had my scores for three months. I'm not sure what that means for a decision!

Make sure that you sent your test scores to the Drexel Public Health (or Drexel SOPHAS) designation. If you did, call the school to make sure that they received them. Some schools are slow at updating their online portals.

 

[spanishkid]

Got accepted to BU and UT MPH! Was so scared because my GRE scores were not that pretty.

 

[KPZ]

Just accepted at Columbia for MS in Biostatistics with a concentration in Pharmaceutical Statistics!

God damn it, things were so much easier when I thought I knew where I was going :/

Oooo smart career choice there

 

[syzar]

Do you mind letting me know... when did you hear from UNC Health Behavior? I'm anxiously awaiting any news from them, even sent an email to admissions asking about a timeline early last week and didn't hear back. Was it via email or the portal?

I heard back with an email telling me that my decision has been uploaded on their application page on Feb 11th (it was an acceptance in Health Behavior!). My SOPHAS was verified in the second week of November and I filled their supplementary grad application on Dec 16th.

 

[oasis526]

What was everyones timeline for hearing back from NYU and Tulane?

I was accepted to Tulane on January 12, I was verified 11/26.

 

[spanishkid]

My L.O.R, statement of purpose/objective, and GPA probably helped me out (3.67) because my GRE scores were scary. 148 V 148 Q 3.0 W. But then again I took it during the Christmas holidays and did not have time to retake.

 

[mimiQ]

In case anyone is wondering about Emory's travel grant - I emailed Emily Lakemaker at [email protected]. She gave me the link to the application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kPCD6u7dWDAVOksb5ubRxrK2lrKbFpWWdhnwi7vwO98/viewform?c=0&w=1

They replied me rather quickly once I submitted the form. Be aware though that you will be required to show receipts/proof from travel (airline, train, car/gas, etc.). If your total costs are less than your award, you will be reimbursed only for what you spent.

 

[JewcyFruit]

BU update. Apparently, I applied for MCH. Ahahahahaha. So, I called and they said in their round table they were all confused as hell because my app was all very "epi, epi, epi, all the epi" and SOPHAS said MCH. So, they said if I accept they will just switch me. You're technically being accepted to BUSPH, not to a department, except for Biostats, because you need to know how to do real math for that. Long story short, my bad, the harder to freak out to make everything perfect for your top choices, the more you (I) mess it up! All is good!

 

[Moreneta]

BU update. Apparently, I applied for MCH. Ahahahahaha. So, I called and they said in their round table they were all confused as hell because my app was all very "epi, epi, epi, all the epi" and SOPHAS said MCH. So, they said if I accept they will just switch me. You're technically being accepted to BUSPH, not to a department, except for Biostats, because you need to know how to do real math for that. Long story short, my bad, the harder to freak out to make everything perfect for your top choices, the more you (I) mess it up! All is good!

Glad they were willing to switch 🙂

 

[IntriguedStudent]

BU update. Apparently, I applied for MCH. Ahahahahaha. So, I called and they said in their round table they were all confused as hell because my app was all very "epi, epi, epi, all the epi" and SOPHAS said MCH. So, they said if I accept they will just switch me. You're technically being accepted to BUSPH, not to a department, except for Biostats, because you need to know how to do real math for that. Long story short, my bad, the harder to freak out to make everything perfect for your top choices, the more you (I) mess it up! All is good!

That's good that you were able to work it out!

 

[algood]

Accepted at Pitt today!

 

[BMckey]

Recommended for acceptance at UMD yesterday 2/16. I've been waiting for their decision so this if a relief, but I was a little ticked off by it. The director of my program sent an automated email congratulating me and offering me a graduate assistantship (!!!) I was stoked as you can imagine. Only to shortly receive a message after that said "_____ would like to recall this message". WTF. ppl and their automated messaging errors seriously bug me, its just annoying. I received 2 more copies of this "recall" message, I guess to make sure I knew it was an accident. So then I start to lowkey panic like how could they not accept me? My reach school accepted me dang it !! lol. Then she emailed again congratulating me and actually inserted my name at the top instead of the generic "dear student". It was the exact same email, minus one important sentence...there was no mention of the graduate assistant position :-( But for my stats I wasnt expecting anything, I just thought since the program was on the smaller (newer) side perhaps they would have more room but we will see. Now Im just waiting on my rejection from Johns Hopkins and I will be done !! But as of now Im deciding between Georgetown and UMD. UMD is more practical cost wise, but Georgetown just has sooooooo many connections and a strong alum network, if only it wasnt almost $50K a year. AHHHHHHHHHH !!!

 

[nblues]

Wailtlisted at Columbia for epi. They said I should hear something by May but ahhhhh I'm so nervous. I'm glad I didn't get rejected outright but I'm unsure about the chances of me getting off the waitlist. I hope I hear good news soon because it's my #1 choice!

 

[sheems93]

First acceptance - WashU for Health Policy Analysis with a scholarship - happy girl 🙂

 

[catinnat]

Recommended for acceptance at UMD yesterday 2/16. I've been waiting for their decision so this if a relief, but I was a little ticked off by it. The director of my program sent an automated email congratulating me and offering me a graduate assistantship (!!!) I was stoked as you can imagine. Only to shortly receive a message after that said "_____ would like to recall this message". WTF. ppl and their automated messaging errors seriously bug me, its just annoying. I received 2 more copies of this "recall" message, I guess to make sure I knew it was an accident. So then I start to lowkey panic like how could they not accept me? My reach school accepted me dang it !! lol. Then she emailed again congratulating me and actually inserted my name at the top instead of the generic "dear student". It was the exact same email, minus one important sentence...there was no mention of the graduate assistant position :-( But for my stats I wasnt expecting anything, I just thought since the program was on the smaller (newer) side perhaps they would have more room but we will see. Now Im just waiting on my rejection from Johns Hopkins and I will be done !! But as of now Im deciding between Georgetown and UMD. UMD is more practical cost wise, but Georgetown just has sooooooo many connections and a strong alum network, if only it wasnt almost $50K a year. AHHHHHHHHHH !!!

Congratulations! Tough choice, but for good reasons! 😀 Did they direct you to an application section for assistantships? Not sure if the process is the same for MHA, but they gave me a link to a page with application instructions - assuming it works the same for you guys, maybe they don't offer any assistantships automatically and you need to apply for one?

 

[spanishkid]

For those who have decided to attend BU, have you guys looked into housing options?

 

[algood]

Since I haven't done this yet, and since I know a lot of people are lurking on this thread freaking out, maybe this will help some of you!

Undergrad School: University of Connecticut
Undergrad GPA: 2.9 (calculated by SOPHAS)
Major/Minor: B.S. Molecular and Cell Biology & Physiology and Neurobiology; B.A. Psychology
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): V159, Q157, W4.5
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
1 year - field research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
1 year - research on retinal neuronal development
1 year - research on development of reading and language processing
1 month - working in rural Guatemala creating health campaigns

Applied:
Tulane, Tufts, NYU, UConn, UMass, Yale, UPitt, UPenn, BU, Mt. Sinai, Drexel
Accepted: Tufts (02/05), Drexel (02/10), Mt. Sinai (02/11), BU (02/12), UPitt (02/17)
Rejected: UPenn (02/16)
Waitlisted: none

Submitted to SOPHAS: 01/12/2015
Verified by SOPHAS: 01/23/2015

Applied straight from undergraduate!

 

[oceanhue]

For those who have decided to attend BU, have you guys looked into housing options?

They have a limited amount of university owned apartments, otherwise, your best bet is to lurk on the off-campus listings (you need a BUID and password, though...). I'm anxious to access the listings.

I really hate having roommates, but Boston is super expensive. If I decide to go to Tulane, I'll just get a studio in grad housing. I really do wish that BU had better housing options.

 

[fr33wi!!y]

Undergrad School: private technical school
Undergrad GPA: fresh/soph: 2.87 jr/sr 3.87 cum: 3.25
Major/Minor: Behavioral Science/Sociology; Health Sci minor
GRE149 v; 145q; 4.0
Experience/Research(related to public health):
research assistant at school – 1 semester
Rehabilitation /research intern – 1 semester
Eco writer – 1 year
AmeriCorps
Children’s rehab home – 1 year
Environmental urban agriculture mentor – two years
Crisis center
Field experience via study abroad– Scotland, Ireland, Finland
Health related gs gold award
Live and learn community health adviser at school– 1 year


Submitted: October 2014
Verified: November 2014
GRE scores sent: January 2015
Notifications: January 2015/February 2015

Applied: U of MN (env health), CUNY (GIS), Indiana Bloomington (env health), Oregon State (env health), Drexel (env health), Louisiana State NOLA (env health), TX A&M (env health), Colorado SPH (env health), NYMC (env health), Temple (env health), Rutgers (env health), Columbia (sociomedial)

Accepted: U of MN -email, CUNY - email, Indiana Bloomington - mail, Drexel - portal, LSU (behavioral/community health) - email, Temple - email, Rutgers (certificate) - mail
Rejected: Columbia - email
Waitlisted:

Still not sure where to go…U of MN is directly in line with my career/research interests but it’s expensive (out of state) and the classes are a little larger than I prefer. CUNY has small classes and is affordable. But I’m not sure if the GIS concentration would still get me in the environmental health field…I plan on pursuing a PhD, so cost is a factor. Thoughts?

 

[spanishkid]

They have a limited amount of university owned apartments, otherwise, your best bet is to lurk on the off-campus listings (you need a BUID and password, though...). I'm anxious to access the listings.

I really hate having roommates, but Boston is super expensive. If I decide to go to Tulane, I'll just get a studio in grad housing. I really do wish that BU had better housing options.

Ok dokey thanks. Yeah I was looking at some apartments in Boston and they were pretty expensive! How long do we have to make a decision about attending school there. I know for several other schools it's like April 1st.

 

[KPZ]

Undergrad School: private technical school
Undergrad GPA: fresh/soph: 2.87 jr/sr 3.87 cum: 3.25
Major/Minor: Behavioral Science/Sociology; Health Sci minor
GRE149 v; 145q; 4.0
Experience/Research(related to public health):
research assistant at school – 1 semester
Rehabilitation /research intern – 1 semester
Eco writer – 1 year
AmeriCorps
Children’s rehab home – 1 year
Environmental urban agriculture mentor – two years
Crisis center
Field experience via study abroad– Scotland, Ireland, Finland
Health related gs gold award
Live and learn community health adviser at school– 1 year


Submitted: October 2014
Verified: November 2014
GRE scores sent: January 2015
Notifications: January 2015/February 2015

Applied: U of MN (env health), CUNY (GIS), Indiana Bloomington (env health), Oregon State (env health), Drexel (env health), Louisiana State NOLA (env health), TX A&M (env health), Colorado SPH (env health), NYMC (env health), Temple (env health), Rutgers (env health), Columbia (sociomedial)

Accepted: U of MN -email, CUNY - email, Indiana Bloomington - mail, Drexel - portal, LSU (behavioral/community health) - email, Temple - email, Rutgers (certificate) - mail
Rejected: Columbia - email
Waitlisted:

Still not sure where to go…U of MN is directly in line with my career/research interests but it’s expensive (out of state) and the classes are a little larger than I prefer. CUNY has small classes and is affordable. But I’m not sure if the GIS concentration would still get me in the environmental health field…I plan on pursuing a PhD, so cost is a factor. Thoughts?

Have you gotten financial aid info from all of them yet?

From the way you worded this, it sounds like you are strongly leaning toward UMN. Cost is important, but you can almost always find a way around it if that's going to get you where you want to go eventually. Especially if you are planning on pursuing a PhD, you want to go where you can get research experience in alignment with your interests and ideally get your name on a paper.

 

[Mks93]

First of all, I apologize for joining in on this so late in the game. I have kind of an unusual situation because I applied to some masters program and mostly PhD programs. Since I don't have a masters degree, I have had a very hard time getting into the PhD programs. Most of the schools have offered me admission to their MS or MSPH programs instead. I have decided that I will be attending a masters program. (Taking out another loan for school makes me very sad, but I realize it has to open if I am going to move forward in my career) I'm hoping to go somewhere that offers a good PhD program, so I can stay there if I choose to and am accepted.
Undergrad School: University of Rochester (medium-size university in upstate NY)
Undergrad GPA: 3.75 (major GPA 3.86)
Major/Minor: Epidemiology/Philosophy
GradGPA (if applicable):
Grad Studies (if applicable):
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): Test taken 2/2014 V 156, Q 156, AW 4 (Not the best test-taker, but I think my grades make up for it a bit)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
Senior thesis (independent secondary data analysis)
Research assistant for NIH funded study (1 year)
Research assistant in public health sciences department (6 months)
Survey research summer internship
Teaching assistant for 3 undergraduate public health classes
Peer alcohol education program instructor
NYS EMT
Have taken about 10 graduate level epidemiology classes



Applied: (All Epidemiology programs) Emory MSPH, Pitt MS, Albany MS, UWashington MS, Columbia MS, SUNY Albany MS, SUNY Buffalo PhD, Tulane PhD, Boston U PhD
Accepted: Emory MSPH (email from department and POI on 2/16, after interview for PhD program), Pitt(email 1/28), Columbia (email 2/6), UWashington (email 2/9?), SUNY Albany MS (email 2/6), SUNY Buffalo PhD (email 2/16)
Rejected: Boston U PhD program (did not apply to masters level program)
Waitlisted:

I am sooooo happy with the way the epi department at Emory has treated me. After rejection from the PhD program, I received FOUR emails from faculty I spoke with during the interview weekend, providing me with encouraging words and offers to discuss the masters program, as well as my career goals. Emory is such a supportive and friendly place. If it were't so expensive, I would have accepted the offer right then and there. With the exception of this week (they're having an ice storm), the weather is amazing!

I'm going to visit Udub and Columbia. It would be so cool to go to Columbia because NYC is awesome, but the price of living and tuition is terrifying! Looks like I have a difficult decision ahead. Any insight is appreciated!

Good luck guys!

 

[Mks93]

Undergrad School: Small East coast private school plus postbac work at a state school
Undergrad GPA: SOPHAS GPA is 3.769, undergrad is 3.53, postbac is 4.0
Major/Minor: 1st degree Economics, working on a second degree in Microbiology
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): V: 165, Q: 163, AWA: 3.5 (taken on 9/23)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
Over 3 years of volunteer work in 2 free clinics, an emergency room, and a homeless shelter
1 month volunteer trip to the Dominican Republic
Alternative spring break in Honduras
Senior thesis on healthcare economics
7 months of infectious disease lab research
Currently working on an epidemiology research project (started in September)
2 years of tutoring in math and economics
1 year as TA for general chemistry
Currently a TA for microbiology

Applied: App verified by SOPHAS on 10/7, applied to all Epi --> want to do infectious disease epi: Tulane (MS), Emory (GLEPI MSPH), Yale (EMD MPH), BU (MPH - withdrawn 12/18), U Pitt (PhD), SUNY Albany (PhD), Rutgers (PhD), UCLA (PhD), GWU (PhD), UNC (MSPH --> PhD, applied 12/1)
Accepted: Tulane (10/31), U Pitt (1/15), Emory (MSPH Epi) (2/11)
Rejected: Yale (1/8), GWU (1/30), SUNY Albany (2/5), UCLA (2/10)
Waitlisted:

I'm really surprised that you got into Emory but not SUNY Albany. 🙁

 

[JaneOakmede]

I'm really surprised that you got into Emory but not SUNY Albany. 🙁

I think it's because I applied for the PhD program at SUNY Albany. Also, it wasn't my top choice and I think I fudged my SOP! It's ok though because I don't really want to be in upstate NY, too cold! 🙂. Looks like you have gotten into some great schools so far. I almost applied for the PhD at Tulane and regret not doing so. Were you able to secure funding at SUNY Buffalo? I got into Pitt for the PhD but funding is not looking up.

 

[Mks93]

I think it's because I applied for the PhD program at SUNY Albany. Also, it wasn't my top choice and I think I fudged my SOP! It's ok though because I don't really want to be in upstate NY, too cold! 🙂. Looks like you have gotten into some great schools so far. I almost applied for the PhD at Tulane and regret not doing so. Were you able to secure funding at SUNY Buffalo? I got into Pitt for the PhD but funding is not looking up.

I heard Tulane only takes a couple per year, so I highly doubt that will work out for me. The Pitt MS is out for me because the price is similar to Columbia and Emory and I don't think the program is nearly as strong.

I just got accepted to SUNY Buffalo on Monday, following my Friday interview. I got an email from the school. It said that the department would follow up with more detail, which I'm assuming includes funding detail. The faculty in the EEH department at Buffalo was so nice, but the facility is TERRIBLE. No windows! Cement everywhere! Unfinished ceilings! I know that should not be a deciding factor, but it would be hard to stay somewhere so depressing for 4-5 years. They also have a strong focus on cancer research (Rosewell Park!), something I'm not interested in. I'm also concerned about the lack of biostats in the curriculum. I want to be a highly competent researcher strongly versed in methods when I finish my PhD. I'm not so sure Buffalo has the resources (it's a small program with few class offerings) to provide me with the foundation I'm looking for. Even if it's fully funded, I probably won't accept the offer.

You are right about upstate NY. I have been here my entire life and I need to get out. Seattle and Atlanta are looking better and better by the second.

 

[JaneOakmede]

I heard Tulane only takes a couple per year, so I highly doubt that will work out for me. The Pitt MS is out for me because the price is similar to Columbia and Emory and I don't think the program is nearly as strong.

I just got accepted to SUNY Buffalo on Monday, following my Friday interview. I got an email from the school. It said that the department would follow up with more detail, which I'm assuming includes funding detail. The faculty in the EEH department at Buffalo was so nice, but the facility is TERRIBLE. No windows! Cement everywhere! Unfinished ceilings! I know that should not be a deciding factor, but it would be hard to stay somewhere so depressing for 4-5 years. They also have a strong focus on cancer research (Rosewell Park!), something I'm not interested in. I'm also concerned about the lack of biostats in the curriculum. I want to be a highly competent researcher strongly versed in methods when I finish my PhD. I'm not so sure Buffalo has the resources (it's a small program with few class offerings) to provide me with the foundation I'm looking for. Even if it's fully funded, I probably won't accept the offer.

You are right about upstate NY. I have been here my entire life and I need to get out. Seattle and Atlanta are looking better and better by the second.

I'm strongly leaning towards Emory myself. It seems like such a fantastic place to be. I'm glad to hear you had such a great experience with them. Plus I would like to get my PhD there too, and I know they have funding (big plus!). Washington is another place I wish I would have applied. I live in OR right now and love the pacific northwest. Plus it's also an awesome school, and the Fred Hutchinson is right there if you're into cancer research. I completely understand not wanting to be in place that doesn't have windows and is all cement! Surroundings make a difference on mood! Good luck on your decision!