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

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From one former MPH-degree seeker to current seekers, I wouldn't read too much into rankings. Choose a school that best fits your health interests, and that will help you to achieve your professional goals. For some strange reason Yale continues to be ranked lower than others, yet admission definitely seems a lot more steep when compared to programs at Emory and Columbia.

Here at Tulane, we have students who did their undergraduate coursework at all different types of universities, from Ivy Leagues to mid-tier public universities to small unheard of liberal arts school. Don't let a school's name or reputation (as presented in the media) be the ultimate deciding factor for you.
 
Not sure if you saw the other thread but the new rankings are out
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...ols/top-health-schools/public-health-rankings

Emory bumped down 1, Harvard bumped up to tie with UNC, Pitt bumped down 2, UW stole Emory's spot at 6, Columbia remains at 5. Those are based on what I can remember off the top of my head. WashU still not ranked due to being a new program and not a school, blargh. Still kind of wish I would have applied to UW.

Glad to see USF (#21 to #16) and Tulane (#13 to #12) moving up. Not that the ranking really changed how I felt about going to USF.
 
Kinda bummed to see UIC get knocked down a ra :/

But GWU got bumped a rank up I just need to figure out which concentration to switch into since the public health management isn't something I'm eligible for .... Wish they had an HPM program
I was kinda sad to see that too, but I don't put a lot of stock in USNews rankings. I feel like if you're proactive and hard working, you'll have plenty of access to great opportunities.
 
I was kinda sad to see that too, but I don't put a lot of stock in USNews rankings. I feel like if you're proactive and hard working, you'll have plenty of access to great opportunities.
Agreed. The public health rankings are a good guide to getting started on where to look and give you a general sense of program reputation, but they're just based on a survey; doesn't seem like a lot of effort really goes into making sure the rankings accurately reflect rigor, curriculum, job prospects, opportunities, and so on.

If you wax obsessive, you can collect rankings from related programs as well and that will give you a better picture of the school's reputation holistically.
 
In at Harvard for Epidemiology! If you didn't receive an email, perhaps check the website anyway? I didn't get an email, but found the decision letter waiting.

Also found out this morning I was accepted to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, so good morning all around! 🙂 Anyone else thinking about LSHTM?


Hi wanderlust2013-- do you mind sharing how long it took from when you submitted to hear from LSHTM?
 
Agreed. The public health rankings are a good guide to getting started on where to look and give you a general sense of program reputation, but they're just based on a survey; doesn't seem like a lot of effort really goes into making sure the rankings accurately reflect rigor, curriculum, job prospects, opportunities, and so on.

If you wax obsessive, you can collect rankings from related programs as well and that will give you a better picture of the school's reputation holistically.

It doesn't seem like much even changed within the top 25, but I didn't have all that memorized. I know Berkeley was tied for 8th and is now just 9th. But yeah, the surveys were sent to deans, administration, and faculty, so these are the people leading these programs. You'd definitely get a better idea from current students of all the things you mentioned, which is why I've been trying to talk to as many as I can.
 
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Can't login to Harvard's portal, today or yesterday. Anyone else having this problem? I am so sick of waiting to hear from them.
 
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Can't login to Harvard's portal, today or yesterday. Anyone else having this problem? I am so sick of waiting to hear from them.
That's happened to me before where it didn't recognize my name and password, but usually I'm able to get back in eventually if I switch browsers and/or wait a while. I'm also getting sick of waiting.
 
Can someone call Harvard & ask them when the heck they're going to tell us that they are dying to admit us?

It's about time that they confess their love for me. This wait is causing me to suffer from a rare disorder that I discovered & only I suffer from, Koo koo bird syndrome.
 
So Harvard said that the snow storm has really slowed them down.
Apparently the abominable snow man stood in front of the admissions door and didn't let them get any work done.
But now the abominable snow man has partially melted, I think they are getting stuff done.
They told me I will hear back by this Friday HOPEFULLY...Im not going to hold my breath, well...maybe I will...yup...I will.:scared:
 
I just found out I got accepted to Johns Hopkins!!! Super excited but now I'm really confused because I was already starting to picture myself at Emory since I thought I wouldn't get into JHU

Wow, congrats, I would go to JHU, but that's me.
 
So Harvard said that the snow storm has really slowed them down.
Apparently the abominable snow man stood in front of the admissions door and didn't let them get any work done.
But now the abominable snow man has partially melted, I think they are getting stuff done.
They told me I will hear back by this Friday HOPEFULLY...Im not going to hold my breath, well...maybe I will...yup...I will.:scared:
Thank you for calling!
 
It doesn't seem like much even changed within the top 25, but I didn't have all that memorized. I know Berkeley was tied for 8th and is now just 9th. But yeah, the surveys were sent to deans, administration, and faculty, so these are the people leading these programs. You'd definitely get a better idea from current students of all the things you mentioned, which is why I've been trying to talk to as many as I can.
Boston is in top 10 now!
 
Thank you for calling!

I really hate the stupid snow in Boston that has affected the admissions committee, applicants, and all the people who live there who couldn't get to work and etc
 
Haven't heard back from Columbia HPM but I just got an email from financial aid saying "Please review the missing documents and submit them to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible if you are interested in student loans or scholarships for the upcoming academic year" and "We thank you for your immediate response and look forward to working with you." Sooo...am I secretly accepted? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??? +pissed+

I didn't apply for financial aid.
 
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Haven't heard back from Columbia HPM but I just got an email from financial aid saying "Please review the missing documents and submit them to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible if you are interested in student loans or scholarships for the upcoming academic year" and "We thank you for your immediate response and look forward to working with you." Sooo...am I secretly accepted? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??? +pissed+

I didn't apply for financial aid.

Lol, I would call and tell the admissions office that you received this from the financial aid office, then call the fin aid office and ask if you were accepted. That's weird...
 
Lol, I would call and tell the admissions office that you received this from the financial aid office, then call the fin aid office and ask if you were accepted. That's weird...
I'd check in with them too--I never received my acceptance email even though they have the correct email address on record, they confirmed that they sent it, and there's nothing in my spam or junk folders...they may have missed you, too.
 
Thank you! I'm very confused on where to go so may I ask why you would choose JHU?
It's unequivocally the better school vs Emory. The only reason to choose Emory would be if they gave you a nice sized scholarship and were significantly cheaper.
 
Still patiently waiting on Columbia...


UIC is now reviewing my application & GWU wants me to switch concentrations and I'm not even sure what else I would like to do.....


Sigh, lol... Well no news is good news?! Has anyone been rejected from Columbia's HPM? After receiving an interview...
 
Haven't heard back from Columbia HPM but I just got an email from financial aid saying "Please review the missing documents and submit them to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible if you are interested in student loans or scholarships for the upcoming academic year" and "We thank you for your immediate response and look forward to working with you." Sooo...am I secretly accepted? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??? +pissed+

I didn't apply for financial aid.

I'd check in with them too--I never received my acceptance email even though they have the correct email address on record, they confirmed that they sent it, and there's nothing in my spam or junk folders...they may have missed you, too.

Wow, Columbia seems a mess with regard to administrative matters..!
 
Thank you! I'm very confused on where to go so may I ask why you would choose JHU?

1) It's been ranked the #1 public health program ever since the rankings came out

2) Based on reputation, I'm assuming you'd receive an interview anywhere you applied

3) Possibly better program, more extensive networks

4) Prestige of calling yourself a Johns Hopkins Alumni for the rest of your life
 
I really hate the stupid snow in Boston that has affected the admissions committee, applicants, and all the people who live there who couldn't get to work and etc
Maybe they are taking so long because they are putting together comprehensive funding and fellowship options for us so we don't have to pay any tuition. :xf::laugh:
 
That's good to hear!! I wasn't able to attend the Admitted Day but I emailed one of the current students (from the panel) on the contact list that got sent out, and she says she also loves the program. In regards to waiting on the financial packages from the different schools you applied to - my former boss told me that I can actually email the different schools I got accepted into (UCLA and UCI) and go back and forth to see what financial package they can offer me? So, sort of like haggling for a better deal? Is that true? I would think that wouldn't be too professional, but I'm not sure..

And oh! One of my friends suggested Sawtelle in the Palms area as the best choice for me! Are you referring to University Village Apartments when talking abut the grad housing complex on Sawtelle?? I'm looking at the UCLA housing site for that one and it says its $1,248 for a one bedroom, one bath. Is that considered cheap compared to Westwood rents??? u___u

I'll definitely let you know if I have any questions about LA life 🙂 I live in the San Gabriel Valley, so not too far from everything in LA. I'm hoping to work around LA after graduation also. I hope things work out and you decide to attend!

As far as negotiating a better deal, I haven't done it personally [yet], but there have been a few messages on these boards about how it can be done!

Re:University Village, yes, those are the apartments I was talking about. To have that to yourself in a good, safe area - yes! That is cheap. I would guess a nice 1b/ba apartment in Westwood would probably run you at least 1500+, and even more if you had upgraded amenities. I just checked it out, and it looks like those are only for married students though.
 
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Officially declined my merit scholarship and admission to BU - hoping someone else gets some good news financially or accepted off the waitlist! 🙂
 
Accepted to Johns Hopkins School of international health!!!!! I'm loving today 🙂
Congrats! You keep getting accepted to some amazing schools. I feel like you're going to have a very difficult decision on your hands!
 
Aaaaand Columbia has started rolling 'em out! Just got my letter of admission to the Department of Epidemiology MPH program (certificate in Epidemiology of Chronic Disease) 🙂

I am very excited though adding this to my other two acceptances, Harvard and Hopkins, does not make my choice any easier! Especially if Columbia decides to give me one of those nice scholarships, then my dilemma is going to be really impossible. (But no, I am not complaining :happy:)
 
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If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take SDSU to get back to you after they received your application? I'm still waiting to hear back, but my SOPHAS was verified just a few weeks ago.
I turned in my application late January and I heard back from them early last week. That makes it around a month but hearing from them so early seems a bit unusual to me!
 
Aaaaand Columbia has started rolling 'em out! Just got my letter of admission to the Department of Epidemiology MPH program (certificate in Epidemiology of Chronic Disease) 🙂

I am very excited though adding this to my other two acceptances, Harvard and Hopkins, does not make my choice any easier! Especially if Columbia decides to give me one of those nice scholarships, then my dilemma is going to be really impossible..!
Congrats on your acceptance! Hopefully they will go ahead and send out the rest of the decisions today. I'm getting so anxious.
 
Hi wanderlust2013-- do you mind sharing how long it took from when you submitted to hear from LSHTM?

Hi! It took about three months. I submitted around Thanksgiving, then received an update from the school in January that they were taking more time to review applications.

From one former MPH-degree seeker to current seekers, I wouldn't read too much into rankings. Choose a school that best fits your health interests, and that will help you to achieve your professional goals. For some strange reason Yale continues to be ranked lower than others, yet admission definitely seems a lot more steep when compared to programs at Emory and Columbia.

Here at Tulane, we have students who did their undergraduate coursework at all different types of universities, from Ivy Leagues to mid-tier public universities to small unheard of liberal arts school. Don't let a school's name or reputation (as presented in the media) be the ultimate deciding factor for you.

Wholeheartedly agree with this. I would also add that while fit is important, it can be necessary to balance that perfect fit with the debt burden it would require. The costs of higher education in the US are really out of control, and part of that is driven by the fact that students are still willing to take out an exorbitant amount in loans for a "name brand." My sense is that many of the more prestigious schools (that typically have large endowments) feel they don't have to offer scholarships to master's students because, for every person who turns them down due to the cost, there are ten more people lined up who are willing to pay the full sticker price.

Also think about what you want to do after graduation. Will a brand name make it *that* much easier for you to get hired for your dream job? Do grads from more prestigious schools make more money that can justify the extra cost? I took out a lot of loans in undergrad for a "better known" school in my field, and it really limited my job options. Now for me personally, cost of attendance is my number one priority, especially given the fairly low paying career path I want. Rankings are all well and good, but balancing "fit" and finances means more in the long run.

/rant Sorry, the student loan burden is a big pet peeve of mine. I'm sure everyone is considering this plenty already!
 
Aaaaand Columbia has started rolling 'em out! Just got my letter of admission to the Department of Epidemiology MPH program (certificate in Epidemiology of Chronic Disease) 🙂

I am very excited though adding this to my other two acceptances, Harvard and Hopkins, does not make my choice any easier! Especially if Columbia decides to give me one of those nice scholarships, then my dilemma is going to be really impossible. (But no, I am not complaining :happy:)


CONGRATS!!! That's awesome!!
Did you get an email from them?
 
Does anybody have personal insight/student input on Harvard's SM in Global Health, JHU's MSPH in International Health, Columbia's MPH in SMS or Yale's MPH in SBS?
I need some advice if you do about the general pros and cons!
 
Maybe they are taking so long because they are putting together comprehensive funding and fellowship options for us so we don't have to pay any tuition. :xf::laugh:

Seriously, somebody's gotta pay for my diamond Rolex and BMW i8 while Im a student there...lol :naughty:
What, did Harvard seriously think I was going to pay for my luxury items by myself? come on now... :=|:-):
 
Aaaaand Columbia has started rolling 'em out! Just got my letter of admission to the Department of Epidemiology MPH program (certificate in Epidemiology of Chronic Disease) 🙂

I am very excited though adding this to my other two acceptances, Harvard and Hopkins, does not make my choice any easier! Especially if Columbia decides to give me one of those nice scholarships, then my dilemma is going to be really impossible. (But no, I am not complaining :happy:)

Congrats!! I just received an email from Mailman as well informing me that I have been accepted to their HMP program with certificate in global health!!! I think they are finally sending out this round of decisions. Finger-crossed for everyone else who's still waiting~~

In regards to the scholarship, there is no mention of scholarships in the acceptance email. I wonder if they are sending out another email or if this simply means I'm not considered for one of those big departmental scholarships.
 
Just got a rejection from Berkeley. Totally expected- no love lost.

I was rejected to Berkeley as well...but I have a B.A. from Berkeley, so totally don't want to go back to hippy land, and plus some applicants get rejected from their alma matters...who knows why.

Good bye Bezerkley...I won't miss the naked parades or protests
 
Congrats!! I just received an email from Mailman as well informing me that I have been accepted to their HMP program with certificate in global health!!! I think they are finally sending out this round of decisions. Finger-crossed for everyone else who's still waiting~~

In regards to the scholarship, there is no mention of scholarships in the acceptance email. I wonder if they are sending out another email or if this simply means I'm not considered for one of those big departmental scholarships.



Congrats!!! Do you mind me asking when your interview was? I've applied to the same program and certificate
 
Oh, I forgot! Berkeley told me ( in response to an email) that they'll be trying to inform everyone by the end of next week, so good luck all!
 
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