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

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oceanhue said:
I've officially declined my offer to GWU. If anyone here is on the waitlist, I hope that you're able to now get a spot 🙂 I liked the program, but the lack of funding was the deciding factor. I refuse to take out $55,000 in loans per year.
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Will you be attending grad school full time or part time? I'm a little confused because per their website, one credit is $1365 and the program is 45 credits, which comes out to around $61K total. Maybe I'm missing something 🙁
 
LxGx33 said:
Will you be attending grad school full time or part time? I'm a little confused because per their website, one credit is $1365 and the program is 45 credits, which comes out to around $61K total. Maybe I'm missing something 🙁
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I would've been full-time, but GW is a 4 semester program. I guess you can take a lot of classes in the summer, but from my understanding most folks do their practicum during that time period. So, I'm not sure why their website says students can finish in a year? It'll probably take two years.

Anywho, this is the estimate that they sent me.

TQ1qQn0.png


They're already notified recipients of scholarships, so... That's covered 100% by loans 😱
 
oceanhue said:
I would've been full-time, but GW is a 4 semester program. I guess you can take a lot of classes in the summer, but from my understanding most folks do their practicum during that time period. So, I'm not sure why their website says students can finish in a year? It'll probably take two years.

Anywho, this is the estimate that they sent me.

TQ1qQn0.png


They're already notified recipients of scholarships, so... That's covered 100% by loans 😱
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Oh gotcha, that makes sense. I will be part time so I'm looking more at 3-3.5 years. Pray for me lol. I wish I could finish in year!

Thanks for sending that info! I didn't realize they factored in books, personal and living expenses, etc. I can see how that all adds up! Yikes.
 
Anyone else strongly considering attending the University of Minnesota? I need friends when I trek out to the midwest, since I'm pretty much certain I'll go there unless I get accepted to Harvard, and even then..
 
LxGx33 said:
Exciting! Let me know if you choose GW. I put all my eggs in one basket and only applied to one school since I live and work in DC, so it makes the choice easy lol.
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I live in Toronto so anything in the States will be a trek. For sure I'll let you know 🙂 I wish I hadn't applied to so many places...the wait continues.
 
Just a general question: Does anyone know the acceptance statistics for NYU?
 
For people waiting on Harvard/UMass/Tufts, do keep in mind the atrocious snowstorm that has been wrecking havoc on Boston this winter - I'm sure it has put a delay on mail processing, meetings, and all sorts of things 😉

That said, Tufts has been awfully unresponsive and it's a little off-putting. I got my acceptance a few weeks ago, but I know people who haven't heard so much as a peep, even after emailing 🙁
 
Sabrosura said:
I applied to their Epi program on Jan. 2 and have yet to hear back. I'm very curious what is going on because I have been accepted by both of the other schools I applied to, Harvard (Epi) and JHU (International Health). At this point it doesn't really matter if Columbia accepts me as Harvard and JHU were my top schools (still haven't made up my mind which to choose), but I am a little stumped as to what is going on with Columbia (other than the fact that I applied after their priority deadline).
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I haven't heard back from Columbia yet either and I applied before the priority deadline. When I called they said they release decisions in two batches: middle of February and middle of March. So those of us that didn't hear in February should hear within the next couple of weeks I would think.
oceanhue said:
I would've been full-time, but GW is a 4 semester program. I guess you can take a lot of classes in the summer, but from my understanding most folks do their practicum during that time period. So, I'm not sure why their website says students can finish in a year? It'll probably take two years.

Anywho, this is the estimate that they sent me.

TQ1qQn0.png


They're already notified recipients of scholarships, so... That's covered 100% by loans 😱
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That's actually not bad at all. That 55k includes living expenses (rent, food, gas, etc.), which they estimate on the high end. It looks like it would only cost roughly 50k in tuition and fees over the full two years. You aren't required to take out the full cost of attendance in loans.
 
For people going to Columbia tomorrow - Do you know how to view what time you signed up for the financial aid meeting? I went back into the doodle doc and it is now closed. Didn't write it down because I assumed I could go back in and/or would get a confirm. E-mail financial aid and they replied, with blatant grammatical errors, that my appointment is at the time I signed up for. SUPER helpful. 😉
 
oceanhue said:
I would've been full-time, but GW is a 4 semester program. I guess you can take a lot of classes in the summer, but from my understanding most folks do their practicum during that time period. So, I'm not sure why their website says students can finish in a year? It'll probably take two years.

Anywho, this is the estimate that they sent me.

TQ1qQn0.png


They're already notified recipients of scholarships, so... That's covered 100% by loans 😱
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$23,000 in living expenses seems a BIT excessive...
 
IntriguedStudent said:
I haven't heard back from Columbia yet either and I applied before the priority deadline. When I called they said they release decisions in two batches: middle of February and middle of March. So those of us that didn't hear in February should hear within the next couple of weeks I would think.
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I guess they don't care about competition for top students from the other top schools given this mid-March timeline (I might understand if they were JHU, but they're not--not to mention that JHU sent their acceptance letters two weeks ago). This alone kind of turns me off Columbia to be honest, in addition to other things I am reading on the Columbia thread.
 
powerage said:
$23,000 in living expenses seems a BIT excessive...
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They quote it high so that almost any student can take out the full CoA and still survive without having to work. You can always choose to take out less. I personally would hate taking out $23,000 for living expenses! Even in a city like DC, that seems pretty excessive.
Sabrosura said:
I guess they don't care about competition for top students from the other top schools given this mid-March timeline (I might understand if they were JHU, but they're not--not to mention that JHU sent their acceptance letters two weeks ago). This alone kind of turns me off Columbia to be honest, in addition to other things I am reading on the Columbia thread.
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Yeah, there have been a lot of things that have turned me away from Columbia. Originally they were my top choice, but after examining the cost and reading about other people's experiences, I've moved them down on the list. They don't seem to put their students first and honestly when I have corresponded with them, they have seemed kind of rude.
 
okay guys honest opinion BU or GWU, just purely based on academics and opportunities, which school do you think is better?? brutal honesty. Unless i am accepted at Harvard or Columbia :/. Will be declining UCLA and Minnesota. So if anyone on waitlist. Best of luck
 
boonyi said:
okay guys honest opinion BU or GWU, just purely based on academics and opportunities, which school do you think is better?? brutal honesty. Unless i am accepted at Harvard or Columbia :/. Will be declining UCLA and Minnesota. So if anyone on waitlist. Best of luck
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What program(s) did you apply for, what do you intend to do once you graduate, are there any specific program components that are "must haves" (specific electives, global opportunities, etc.), and what does your funding look like for each?
 
IntriguedStudent said:
I haven't heard back from Columbia yet either and I applied before the priority deadline. When I called they said they release decisions in two batches: middle of February and middle of March. So those of us that didn't hear in February should hear within the next couple of weeks I would think.


That's actually not bad at all. That 55k includes living expenses (rent, food, gas, etc.), which they estimate on the high end. It looks like it would only cost roughly 50k in tuition and fees over the full two years. You aren't required to take out the full cost of attendance in loans.
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Its a lot after 2 years ( close to 100k).I used to live in DC and it's hella expensive. The estimate sounds about right. It used to cost me $10 a day to commute to and back from work.
 
oceanhue said:
Its a lot after 2 years ( close to 100k).I used to live in DC and it's hella expensive. The estimate sounds about right. It used to cost me $10 a day to commute to and back from work.
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True, but your cost of living is going to be similar (or higher) in any of the large cities. Boston or NYC will likely run you even higher. 23k/year for tuition is very good though. It's cheaper than most of the other options unless you get in-state tuition at your state school. I agree though that if you take out the full COA for both years, it's an insane amount of debt. It'd be hard to afford that with an MPH! I plan on only taking out what I need for tuition for the school that I'm going to attend, especially since I already have a considerable amount of loans from my undergrad.
 
I believe all Universiteis have student housing options. And they are much more affordable than living in a fancy pants loft in the city. Just depends on the experience you're willing to accept. I'm all about that fancy life, but I also have a terrible need to be comfortable if I am living out of state and I will not be seeing my family on the weekends.

UMich you can always live on North Campus and commute downtown (5 minute drive) or take the bus. I lived downtown Ann Arbor I paid over $1200 for a 1 bedroom, my brother lived on North Campus when he was in the SPH program at UMich and paid $600 on North Campus; his apartment was much bigger than mine and he got free parking. I didn't want to have a car and wanted to walk to classes.

UIC (or any other Chicago University). Chicago traffic is hideous! Living in the suburbs and driving downtown is a no-no! Taking the CTA will be at least an hour commute on a good day, thats an hour one-way of studying/sleeping etc I would not want to loose . Plus I pay over $1000 for my studio that is 30 minutes outside of downtown and utilities are NOT included I get free parking lol thats all I got for free.

NYC I would go with on campus housing. I would not want a car in NYC. I made that mistake once last summer. I was willing to donate my care too anyone because it became such a burden and too expensive. Another option is living in NJ on the boarder of the NYC and taking the sub-line; toll entrance with a car last summer was $14.00 (not sure how much an EZ-pass is)

DC most of my friends live in Virginia and either take the metro or drive down themselves.

**With driving just be aware of the parking situation. Most downtowns are hideously expensive or like NYC you can barely park before 6PM.

UCLA I think is also on a downtown setting? My dad went back in the 80s lol but I am not sure the parking situation I've only visited once two summers ago.
 
IntriguedStudent said:
They quote it high so that almost any student can take out the full CoA and still survive without having to work. You can always choose to take out less. I personally would hate taking out $23,000 for living expenses! Even in a city like DC, that seems pretty excessive.

Yeah, there have been a lot of things that have turned me away from Columbia. Originally they were my top choice, but after examining the cost and reading about other people's experiences, I've moved them down on the list. They don't seem to put their students first and honestly when I have corresponded with them, they have seemed kind of rude.
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Hey I thought I would post this as a comparison number I live in New York City and have lived in other boroughs living expenses are usually around 18,000 to 19,000 per year if you can get a cheaper rent around 1,200 a month, so unfortunately 23,000 us pretty accurate
 
sabs2735 said:
Hey I thought I would post this as a comparison number I live in New York City and have lived in other boroughs living expenses are usually around 18,000 to 19,000 per year if you can get a cheaper rent around 1,200 a month, so unfortunately 23,000 us pretty accurate
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Assuming you live by yourself, $23,000 isn't too high of an estimate in a city like NYC, DC, Boston, Chicago, or even Atlanta (definitely cheaper than the others, but there are some pretty expensive areas). But you could always cut that price by quite a bit if you have a roommate. It's really all about convenience. If you want to live close to the downtown areas and live by yourself you're simply going to pay a lot. These COA quotes from schools are high estimates, but they aren't that far off.
 
brwneydRA said:
OMG I just got emailed about this award as well!! I am shocked and had pretty much counted Columbia out due to cost. Decisions decisions! 🤣
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Same!! I'm actually imagining life in New York lol but first to see if Berkeley is going to throw some money my way haha
 
Say_Hey said:
Just got a $25,000 dollar scholarship from Columbia!!!! I was not even considering and now this!!! SO many decisions haha Yay!!
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Same! I am very surprised because my stats aren't even close to what they said the cut off was. I was moving away from them as a choice, but bow idk. I kind of think they may have made a mistake sending it to me.
 
Say_Hey said:
Just got a $25,000 dollar scholarship from Columbia!!!! I was not even considering and now this!!! SO many decisions haha Yay!!
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Congratulations! Big decisions ahead for you!
I was wondering, how did you get your CUID to log into the Institutional and Supplemental Aid application site? I'm not sure if they just completely missed sending it to me. 🙁
 
IntriguedStudent said:
True, but your cost of living is going to be similar (or higher) in any of the large cities. Boston or NYC will likely run you even higher. 23k/year for tuition is very good though. It's cheaper than most of the other options unless you get in-state tuition at your state school. I agree though that if you take out the full COA for both years, it's an insane amount of debt. It'd be hard to afford that with an MPH! I plan on only taking out what I need for tuition for the school that I'm going to attend, especially since I already have a considerable amount of loans from my undergrad.
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I don't think you're really getting it. My issue is the lack of funding. NYC or Boston would be cheaper than DC if I am covered financially. The fact is, I didn't get anything from DC so it was the most expensive option.

Not sure what you're not getting.

sabs2735 said:
Hey I thought I would post this as a comparison number I live in New York City and have lived in other boroughs living expenses are usually around 18,000 to 19,000 per year if you can get a cheaper rent around 1,200 a month, so unfortunately 23,000 us pretty accurate
Click to expand...

Which is the point I was getting at. I used to live in DC, it's expensive. And I'm not going to sugar coat, it used to be called the "murder capital". It's not the safest city, so most people live in Maryland or Virginia. A nice and safe area is gonna cost you at least $1,000. And that's not even touching other expenses.

Public transportation in DC is a rip-off. They charge you more during "rush hours" (which happens to be when most people travel) and the amount you'll spend on... What are those things called? Those cars? Is gonna cost you. You'll spend at least $200 a month on transportation alone. I had to refill my metro card every 3 days, which was super annoying.

Also, think about going out eating, going to the bar, etc. The expenses start to add up.

IntriguedStudent said:
Assuming you live by yourself, $23,000 isn't too high of an estimate in a city like NYC, DC, Boston, Chicago, or even Atlanta (definitely cheaper than the others, but there are some pretty expensive areas). But you could always cut that price by quite a bit if you have a roommate. It's really all about convenience. If you want to live close to the downtown areas and live by yourself you're simply going to pay a lot. These COA quotes from schools are high estimates, but they aren't that far off.
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You'll spend about a grand or close to $2,000 living with a roommate. And I'm only speaking about rent. $200 a month on groceries is honestly, pretty bad for a single person. Add that in there, but I think $300 on groceries is decent for one person. About $100 a month on eating out (coffee shops, quick sandwich stops) would bring you around $19,000 per year. This does not include things like buying a new pair of jeans or shirt. Then there are household expenses (cleaning supplies, toilet paper (usually around $10)), etc.
 
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kimt08 said:
Congratulations! Big decisions ahead for you!
I was wondering, how did you get your CUID to log into the Institutional and Supplemental Aid application site? I'm not sure if they just completely missed sending it to me. 🙁
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I haven't gotten it yet either! I think the merit based scholarships aren't through the financial aid portal. Only the need-based comes through the portal which hopefully is coming soon
 
longhorn93 said:
I haven't gotten it yet either! I think the merit based scholarships aren't through the financial aid portal. Only the need-based comes through the portal which hopefully is coming soon
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Yep! I got an email separately about it. I haven't had any other correspondence with them regarding need-based aid or the financial aid portal info.
 
It seems like today was a busy day! Just got a rejection email from Berkeley, which I was anticipating given that their Admitted Student day is so soon and I hadn't heard. Now just waiting on Claremont before I've heard from all the schools I applied to. Best of luck to everyone out there still waiting 🙂
 
Hi guys,

This is a little off the topic at the moment. Can anyone please help me here?

How can one compare the following MPH programs and which would be the best to opt for (in all aspects especially future job outcome)?

University of Minnesota - Health Management and Policy
Tufts - Health Management and Policy
GWU - Health Policy

I will really appreciate your responses... please helppp!!!
 
@apandy,

This is a really subjective question. The best program for you is dependent on many things! Like, where do you wish to live after you get your MPH? If you want to work in health policy and DC is your dream, then GW hands down is the best option for you. If you want to be in Boston, then Tufts in the place for you. If you want to be in the Midwest, then Minnesota and so forth.

You should choose a program that is located in or near a place where you wish to settle, or know that the alumni network is strong enough that you'll be able to network with alumni and relocate to where you want to live if you choose a program like UMN and wish to be in DC after school. Though more important than the reputation of the program, is being in an area where you have access to opportunities to build your skill sets and network with public health professionals.

If it were me, I'd say GW. Though that also is associated with my desire to settle in DC after school. I hope this helps! I know that may sound a bit hypocritical coming from me, because I go to school in New Orleans. However, I lived in DC prior to NOLA, and already have built solid working relationships with public health professionals in DC.
 
oceanhue said:
I don't think you're really getting it. My issue is the lack of funding. NYC or Boston would be cheaper than DC if I am covered financially. The fact is, I didn't get anything from DC so it was the most expensive option.

Not sure what you're not getting.



Which is the point I was getting at. I used to live in DC, it's expensive. And I'm not going to sugar coat, it used to be called the "murder capital". It's not the safest city, so most people live in Maryland or Virginia. A nice and safe area is gonna cost you at least $1,000. And that's not even touching other expenses.

Public transportation in DC is a rip-off. They charge you more during "rush hours" (which happens to be when most people travel) and the amount you'll spend on... What are those things called? Those cars? Is gonna cost you. You'll spend at least $200 a month on transportation alone. I had to refill my metro card every 3 days, which was super annoying.

Also, think about going out eating, going to the bar, etc. The expenses start to add up.



You'll spend about a grand or close to $2,000 living with a roommate. And I'm only speaking about rent. $200 a month on groceries is honestly, pretty bad for a single person. Add that in there, but I think $300 on groceries is decent for one person. About $100 a month on eating out (coffee shops, quick sandwich stops) would bring you around $19,000 per year. This does not include things like buying a new pair of jeans or shirt. Then there are household expenses (cleaning supplies, toilet paper (usually around $10)), etc.
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Nobody has disagreed that the cost of living in DC is high. My point was that the cost of living index is on par with most of the other big cities. In my post, I was discussing tuition. Straight tuition is cheaper at GW than Columbia and BU (for comparison's sake). Given that the cost of living index in all three cities is roughly equal, the total cost of attendance is likely cheaper at GW. However, if you are getting a significant amount of funding from other schools, then they are definitely the better option. But as funding was never mentioned on your part, so I was comparing the schools using simple numbers.

I'm sorry if there was some confusion here. I simply think people sometimes think the COA estimates are the actual amount you'll have to take out in loans. That isn't true, which is why I made my comments. Rather, COA estimates are made at the high end of things because they are the maximum amount that you will be allowed to take out in federal loans (so schools intentionally inflate them).
 
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mphlurker said:
Hoping for some news from Columbia for those of us that are still waiting. March 6th is pretty much mid-March. right??? (Feb 10th was I think the 'mid-Feb' release)
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I hope so! I'm still waiting on them and Harvard. I've already pretty much made my choice, but I'd like to at least know one way or the other what their decisions are.
 
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For those of you that applied to UTSPH, how long was the turn around from when you received your applicant login until you received a decision?
 
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Say_Hey said:
OMG ME TOOOOO!!!!! That's it I'm going to Berkeley hahaha its destiny!!!
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Yay!! My decision was contingent on funding as the Bay area is significantly more expensive to live in than Chapel Hill, but omg this is amazing.
 
H_UNC2014 said:
Yay!! My decision was contingent on funding as the Bay area is significantly more expensive to live in than Chapel Hill, but omg this is amazing.
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H_UNC2014 said:
Yay!! My decision was contingent on funding as the Bay area is significantly more expensive to live in than Chapel Hill, but omg this is amazing.
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Same!!! And I was contacted to join Dr. Lee Riley's lab about 2 months ago and now everything is finally coming together 🙂 I couldn't be happier as of right now lol plus they're paying for the flight and hotel stay for admitted students day?! I might as well sign the dotted line now lol
 
Did anyone apply to Harvard's Zuckerman fellows/Has anyone heard from them? Finalists were supposed to be selected this week.
 
No one heard from SM2 Epi at Harvard?
 
Not today. I know they released decisions last week, though. I was really hoping those of us that didn't hear before would hear something today.
 
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