Who wants to come with me to Target, so we can buy a bunch of blow dryers, go to Boston, melt the snow so Harvard's admission department can put us out of our misery?
Anyone? Anyone at all?
This is true... But we have pretty good public transit! If you end up attending I suggest living in Eastlake- super young vibe. Udist can be a little to undergrad-oriented.
Congratulations! Probably JHU. Remind me if you got funding anywhere and what your concentration is and what you want to do? That all factors into it but JHU will probably win unless you got a substantial scholarship to Columbia.
Yay! Potential future classmate! And yes, Intl. Health SBI 🙂 I am going on the 10th of April, which one are you going to?
No funding at Columbia 🙁 and the 75% cut on tuition my second year for the MSPH at JHU is a big selling point.
Accepted to the MSPH in Intl. Health yesterday. Seems like the are rolling out their final decisions.
I'd go to JHU unless you definitely want to work in NYC. I'd check with Johns Hopkins, but I'm pretty sure you can do your practicum anywhere and you know they have outstanding connections. I think with the cut in tuition your 2nd year JHU would be less expensive, plus the COL difference, and it is the top ranked SPH and while Columbia has a great reputation, I think JHU's is even better. If you can visit both I'd do that, though, because what feels right to you is important as well. You really can't go wrong so good luck!!
I'm sure we'll know this well 
and hopefully positive newsThanks! After another day of thinking and speaking with my advisor, I'm like 80% sure about UW. I loved the visit. It was just so great, so honest.
I'm working as a research assistant on the study I've been with for a year. Then in early July im going to India to do field anthropology research! Yay. It's very qualitative work, but I'm going to try it out and see if I like mixed methods research.
JHU, hands down. Nyc is awesome, but JHU will open so many doors.
I'm not from nyc, I'm from upstate, but have visited a bunch of times. No, it's not the friendliest city. People are generally rude and concerned with themselves. That being said, if you keep to yourself, no one will bother you. Service employees are generally unfriendly, especially ones making low wages (who could blame them, though). Nyc isn't the cleanest city, you have to get used to garbage bags on the street. Yes, it smells bad in the summer, like garbage and sewage, but during the winter it's not so bad.
These are great points, and why it's worth a visit.
I'm will be able to cover everything with government loans (including grad plus loans).
They work in all different ways, depends on the lender and the plan you set up. I would go talk to an accountant or a bank or even the financial aid office at your school of choice.
This sounds like the Pacific Northwest, it's a friendly, laid back, down to earth place for sure. Glad to hear the University is of the same vain. I really regret not applying there!
I'm going to look into Eastlake. How far in advance should I be looking for a place to live in Seattle???
I've been to NYC and it is very overwhelming and unlike any other city in the world. There are people EVERYWHERE. The island of Manhattan is inhabited by 1.6 million people and it is 3 x 11 miles. Add tourists and visitors to that. That's a lot of people. A LOT. So psychologically, when you put a bunch of people close together, and they live that way, people develop different attitudes than if they are more spread out. They're more protective of themselves and can be more curt in general, but I've never had someone be actively rude to me in NYC.
"Rude" isn't the word I'd use for it. The truth is that NYC is full of people who are involved in very busy lives (Wall Street, fashion, PR, restaurateurs, young starving artists trying to "make it" with 3 part-time jobs and staying up all night to write music, you name it). People are impatient and value their own time a lot, so they tend to place their schedule, needs, and wants above all else. I don't blame them. I'm from Boston but have visited NYC so many times it's like a second home to me. If you're from Chicago, you shouldn't have an issue adjusting. The public transport there is amazing, you can hail a cab any time you want (but need to be aggressive about it, because cab stealing is a thing), and there is ALWAYS something to see or do. Depending on which area you live in, NYC can vary from disgustingly dirty (Chinatown, ahem) to gorgeous and lovely (Upper West Side / Upper East Side). If you're going to be in Columbia, you'll probably be living around Morningside Heights or Upper West Side, so you will have absolutely no problem with cleanliness. Crime is actually surprisingly low because - as I said - most people prefer to keep to themselves. Trying to rob/assault someone is usually more hassle than it's worth if you're not an easy target. Just use common sense (don't walk around in dark alleys at night, don't wander through Central Park at 2am, etc.etc.), carry pepper spray or a personal taser if you wish, and you'll be fine. I've walked by myself through all sorts of shady neighbourhoods and not once have I ever felt threatened.
Honestly, I'd take Berkeley if you have a full ride there. Emory and UNC may be ranked higher, but only slightly. Going to Emory (and maybe UNC, I didn't look at them), you're talking $60k in loans over the course of the program. And that's just for tuition. I'm in the same boat in that I have some loans from undergrad, so I'm thinking going to a cheaper school really is my better option. Public health isn't an especially lucrative field and I really don't want to be stuck with an unmanageable amount of loans after I graduate.
Im pretty loan adverse as well, luckily I have no loans from undergrad. But I cant avoid them for grad school, however, I plan on taking out the minimum amount. I know Emory and UNC have these amazing names/rankings/alumni network and all but UC Berk is still an amazing school. If you like all programs and they all seem to propel u into great opportunities post grad, why not take the money? Also consider location & where you plan on living after graduation. NC, Atl & Cali all have totally different cultures in my opinion. Barring you like the school when you visit, If it were me I'd head for California.
In reality though, money is an issue and should be a factor in most people's decision. I'm completely fine going into a field that I know won't ever make me a lot of money. However, I don't want to struggle for the next 10-20 years of my life simply because I took out too much in loans for something I could have done much cheaper. I plan on having a family, and that's not something I want them to be forced to deal with either. We are all pursuing something we are passionate about. In a perfect world, we'd all be able to do it for free! You're one of the lucky people who actually has the option of doing that.
