MPH Fall 2016: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected!

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pompousplatypus said:
What were a couple things that current students have issues with? Was there anything in particular that either sold or made you hesitant in accepting Berkeley's offer?
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I'll start by saying that a few people seemed just generally disenchanted with the place and the structure of the school as a whole. I'm trying to take their gripes with a grain of salt, because I think that everyone's experience is going to differ a lot based on the experience they're bringing to the table and what they *expect* to get out of their time there. With that said:
  • A student mentioned that UCB can feel like a commuter school because so many people are from the Bay Area to begin with. She said she was able to make friends by seeking them out outside of her schools (she was joint MPH/MSW), but was disappointed that so many in her cohort would just go hang out with their family and friends instead of making bonds within the program.
  • One student very much felt like the faculty's focus was more on getting grants/getting published than actually making a difference. Of course, YMMV based on the faculty with whom you choose to work.
  • One student said that, for as much as Berkeley touts their commitment to social justice, they could do a lot better, especially in spreading that mindset outside of the HSB concentration and across the school.
  • EDIT TO ADD: Students said that you can't expect opportunities (research projects, GSI/GSRships, etc.) to be handed to you and that you really need to reach out and work hard to get them. Overall, they did say that when you *do* reach out, people are very accessible and willing to help. Some disagreed. Again, I think that this is something I expected going in and so found it less of a deterrent.
I'll try and see if I can remember any other big things, but these are the ones that stood out to me. Some people had serious trouble adjusting to being back in school and also hated that the first semester had you going to courses at 8am, but honestly, I think you'd have issues like these anywhere you go.
 
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Stories said:
This sort of financial prudence is smart--and considering the amount of loans needed is an important aspect that I believe a lot of people over look. Nearly everyone will have loans, and going to grad school, you'll likely have far more loans than anyone else who doesn't go to grad school. So depending on your peer group, you may be having different conversations.

Here's my advice--look at what your career means to you. Understand in terms of your life's goals where does career stand. The more important your career is to your life the more I would consider going to a program that can help you achieve those goals, even if it's a little bit more expensive than another program.

Then consider the financial windfall from your career relative to the loans you'll have to pay back. Consider how these loans you'll have to pay will be relative to your other life goals (i.e. family, house, geographic location living expenses). I think you'll find a monthly payment that will be comfortable for you based on all those factors.

It's not an easy task--especially this early on in your career/education. But thinking about it to this point is better to get an idea of where you might stand in a few years when you're working and paying off $xxxx in loans.
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This is definitely how I'm trying to look at it! I know that this degree is an investment in my future, and my career is extremely important to me.

I know that your school's location can have a great effect on where you end up getting work, so I'm trying to take that into consideration too. For instance, Columbia seems great, but I don't think I'd want to stay in NYC/New England (though, then again, perhaps Columbia would have greater name recognition outside of that area than would others).

Thanks so much for the advice!
 
*bangs head on desk* From Harvard: "We are hoping to have most decisions released by the end of next week.
Thanks for your patience!"
 
Poninelee said:
*bangs head on desk* From Harvard: "We are hoping to have most decisions released by the end of next week.
Thanks for your patience!"
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And the wait continues... Did you send them an email?
 
yogi17 said:
And the wait continues... Did you send them an email?
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I emailed them and when I didn't hear back, I called. The person on the phone told me next week, and then I got an email with the same message. :/
 
PHAspirations said:
Could anyone speak to how well Columbia actually incorporates its social justice ideals into its curriculum? Maybe someone who attended their recent visit day, like @Jglamour, @judy03 or @moonwave89? This is a big factor for me and something I'm trying to parse out over all the schools I've applied to. Thanks so much! 🙂
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PHAspirations said:
I hope they tell you soon!
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Thank you! As someone else mentioned earlier, "I'll take a rejection just to escape this purgatory"... couldn't be more true!

And to address your question-- I honestly am not sure. I do remember someone saying that the SMS dept tries to be involved in the community since the medical campus is located within a large Hispanic community and there are also faculty doing research in Harlem (near the main campus) and the predominantly African American community. A current student said that there were PopFam students involved in demonstrations around reproductive rights just the other day, and for her, that social activism was a huge factor in deciding on Columbia -- because it was in a large city where there are a lot of different issues and opportunities for students to get involved. On the other hand, I spoke with another student who said there was some discussion around Black Lives Matter at one point, but as a whole, he wasn't sure if there was much substantive stuff being done about these issues (not dissimilar to other large institutions though, I'd imagine). I think there is the passion among students, but there is also a good mix of students who are more "business" oriented e.g. the MHA and HPM folks, where the health care focus is at a higher institutional level vs. the grassroots level. That was my impression.

EDIT: I'd like to add that you might want to take a look at the courses offered specifically in the certificate that you're in or might be interested in. I come from an anthropology background so I was happy to see that they offer a lot of social science oriented courses like ethnographic research methods and community based participatory research (which I didn't see being offered a lot at other schools) where I can continue doing the type of research I was interested in doing as an undergrad.
 
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moonwave89 said:
Thank you! As someone else mentioned earlier, "I'll take a rejection just to escape this purgatory"... couldn't be more true!

And to address your question-- I honestly am not sure. I do remember someone saying that the SMS dept tries to be involved in the community since the medical campus is located within a large Hispanic community and there are also faculty doing research in Harlem (near the main campus) and the predominantly African American community. They said that the other day, some PopFam students were involved in demonstrations around reproductive rights. I also spoke with a current student who said there was some discussion around Black Lives Matter at one point, but as a whole, he wasn't sure if there was much substantive stuff being done about these issues (not dissimilar to other large institutions though, I'd imagine). I think there is the passion among students, but there is also a good mix of students who are more "business" oriented e.g. the MHA and HPM folks, where the health care focus is at a higher institutional level vs. the grassroots level.

EDIT: I'd like to add that you might want to take a look at the courses offered specifically in the certificate that you're in or might be interested in. I come from an anthropology background so I was happy to see that they offer a lot of social science oriented courses like ethnographic research methods and community based participatory research (which I didn't see being offered a lot at other schools) where I can continue doing the type of research I was interested in doing as an undergrad.
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This is really helpful, thank you! I too am interested in things like social epi, CBPR and incorporating social scientific methods/theories into public health work. One thing I really loved about Berkeley (and I assume this is an interest for you too) is that there are one or two faculty who focus specifically on CBPR. Again, fingers crossed that you get good news from Berk soon, because it could be a great fit in that regard.

And thanks for the note about checking the course offerings for my certificate!
 
PHAspirations said:
This is really helpful, thank you! I too am interested in things like social epi, CBPR and incorporating social scientific methods/theories into public health work. One thing I really loved about Berkeley (and I assume this is an interest for you too) is that there are one or two faculty who focus specifically on CBPR. Again, fingers crossed that you get good news from Berk soon, because it could be a great fit in that regard.

And thanks for the note about checking the course offerings for my certificate!
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No problem! I actually realized that I remembered more than what I had initially wrote :laugh: so I went back to edit the main text of the post if you want to re-read it.

Honestly, I'm not holding my breathe about Berkeley anymore =/ I think it was a combination of my subpar GRE scores and not communicating well about why Berkeley was good fit in my essay. I can blame it on it being the first application I submitted, but then again, there could be a bunch of things about my app they didn't like. :shrug:
 
I'm starting to feel like a rejection from Columbia is inevitable for me as people are now being accepted off of the waitlist... anyone have thoughts about this?
 
For those who have heard from Yale in the last few days-- what departments? I am waiting on CDE... It's been 9 weeks verified!
 
moonwave89 said:
No problem! I actually realized that I remembered more than what I had initially wrote :laugh: so I went back to edit the main text of the post if you want to re-read it.

Honestly, I'm not holding my breathe about Berkeley anymore =/ I think it was a combination of my subpar GRE scores and not communicating well about why Berkeley was good fit in my essay. I can blame it on it being the first application I submitted, but then again, there could be a bunch of things about my app they didn't like. :shrug:
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I wouldn't worry too much about Berkeley. They've turned down a lot of great applicants due to budget constraints. There are many applicants that got into Harvard and Johns Hopkins only to be turned down by Berkeley so its not always a meritocracy.
 
montreux said:
I wouldn't worry too much about Berkeley. They've turned down a lot of great applicants due to budget constraints. There are many applicants that got into Harvard and Johns Hopkins only to be turned down by Berkeley so its not always a meritocracy.
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Yeah, they even said as much at the Admitted Day—they're trying to "admit fewer students and fund them better." So definitely don't let it get you down.
 
njph921 said:
For those who have heard from Yale in the last few days-- what departments? I am waiting on CDE... It's been 9 weeks verified!
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I heard back from HCM - took 8 weeks for me so I understand!
 
I didn't submit my financial aid info to Harvard by their priority deadline....do people think that means I'm totally out of the running to receive aid?
 
PHAspirations said:
I'll start by saying that a few people seemed just generally disenchanted with the place and the structure of the school as a whole. I'm trying to take their gripes with a grain of salt, because I think that everyone's experience is going to differ a lot based on the experience they're bringing to the table and what they *expect* to get out of their time there. With that said:
  • A student mentioned that UCB can feel like a commuter school because so many people are from the Bay Area to begin with. She said she was able to make friends by seeking them out outside of her schools (she was joint MPH/MSW), but was disappointed that so many in her cohort would just go hang out with their family and friends instead of making bonds within the program.
  • One student very much felt like the faculty's focus was more on getting grants/getting published than actually making a difference. Of course, YMMV based on the faculty with whom you choose to work.
  • One student said that, for as much as Berkeley touts their commitment to social justice, they could do a lot better, especially in spreading that mindset outside of the HSB concentration and across the school.
  • EDIT TO ADD: Students said that you can't expect opportunities (research projects, GSI/GSRships, etc.) to be handed to you and that you really need to reach out and work hard to get them. Overall, they did say that when you *do* reach out, people are very accessible and willing to help. Some disagreed. Again, I think that this is something I expected going in and so found it less of a deterrent.
I'll try and see if I can remember any other big things, but these are the ones that stood out to me. Some people had serious trouble adjusting to being back in school and also hated that the first semester had you going to courses at 8am, but honestly, I think you'd have issues like these anywhere you go.
Click to expand...
oh man, I don't think I can handle 8am courses... That's like two hours too early!
 
montreux said:
I wouldn't worry too much about Berkeley. They've turned down a lot of great applicants due to budget constraints. There are many applicants that got into Harvard and Johns Hopkins only to be turned down by Berkeley so its not always a meritocracy.
Click to expand...

PHAspirations said:
Yeah, they even said as much at the Admitted Day—they're trying to "admit fewer students and fund them better." So definitely don't let it get you down.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the encouragement guys. It means a lot, especially since I feel like I've talked my family and friends to death about this whole grad school shenanigans. Glad to have a space where other people are in a similar boat and actually understand how it feels to wait for weeks and months for something that'll impact, at the least, the next several years of their lives! *e-hugs* (or is that getting too close for comfort?) :laugh: *backs away* but still. Very much appreciated. 🙂
 
drewd1115 said:
I'm starting to feel like a rejection from Columbia is inevitable for me as people are now being accepted off of the waitlist... anyone have thoughts about this?
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Hey I'm in the same boat as well. I feel like everyone getting off the waitlist is just telling me that they're going to wait last minute to let me know.

I called a week ago or so and they said I would hear probably mid-March...

On the bright side though, they might just get people off the waitlist depending on many people have declined admission. They might not even have begun to review our apps yet. Cross our fingers!
 
sea123 said:
I didn't submit my financial aid info to Harvard by their priority deadline....do people think that means I'm totally out of the running to receive aid?
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There was someone on last year's forum who said that he/she applied late and still got aid (on merit, I think). Stay positive - perhaps not all is lost! 🙂
 
PP788 said:
Hey I'm in the same boat as well. I feel like everyone getting off the waitlist is just telling me that they're going to wait last minute to let me know.

I called a week ago or so and they said I would hear probably mid-March...

On the bright side though, they might just get people off the waitlist depending on many people have declined admission. They might not even have begun to review our apps yet. Cross our fingers!
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I think you're right about them having not reviewed our apps yet! I received this email from Columbia today:

"Dear Andrew,

Thank you for your application to the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

The Admissions Committee has begun a preliminary review of your application to the MPH program in Epidemiology. They need more evidence of your quantitative skills and are requesting a syllabus from your HSC 386 Quant Methods & Epidemiology course taken in Spring 2014 at Ball State University.

Can you please send us the syllabus for this course at your earliest convenience?"

I feel like this at least a little bit of good news. They're interested enough to inquire about further information. Does anyone have experience with similar situations?
 
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Just got my financial aid package from GW...expected COA for one year (with one more or two more after that): 57,000. Loans: 57,000. Wow.
 
Laniac16 said:
Just got my financial aid package from GW...expected COA for one year (with one more or two more after that): 57,000. Loans: 57,000. Wow.
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Saaaaame. 57 also. Forget that haha, that's way more than any other offer that I've received. The juxtaposition between some of these schools is amazing.
 
A question about financial aid:

Has anyone tried to increase the amount of their financial aid by notifying School A that School B has offered a 75% tuition scholarship, to almost play the schools off of each other? Someone suggested doing that and said that many applicants successfully do this for Law and Med School. It sounds a bit cruel which is why I'm reluctant to try it, but some of these tuitions are so much more than I can afford...
 
quepasta said:
A question about financial aid:

Has anyone tried to increase the amount of their financial aid by notifying School A that School B has offered a 75% tuition scholarship, to almost play the schools off of each other? Someone suggested doing that and said that many applicants successfully do this for Law and Med School. It sounds a bit cruel which is why I'm reluctant to try it, but some of these tuitions are so much more than I can afford...
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I might be trying this also. My need based aid is extremely different between schools, so I may call to figure out why/try and find extra aid. I'll let you know if it works but it may be a long proces.
 
hnnrgh said:
Saaaaame. 57 also. Forget that haha, that's way more than any other offer that I've received. The juxtaposition between some of these schools is amazing.
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If we were on the waitlist for GW fin. aid - is this it? Or do you think there's a chance scholarships are yet to come? You're right, the difference in need-based aid is drastically different. It's almost like they want us to go somewhere else lol it seems almost irresponsible to borrow that much for just one year!
 
healthismypassion1234 said:
okay. i'm more so looking for advice about choosing schools. just saying.
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I posted information about the financial aid survey not being indicative of admission for future applicants to see, not for current applicants to be able to choose between schools
 
quepasta said:
A question about financial aid:

Has anyone tried to increase the amount of their financial aid by notifying School A that School B has offered a 75% tuition scholarship, to almost play the schools off of each other? Someone suggested doing that and said that many applicants successfully do this for Law and Med School. It sounds a bit cruel which is why I'm reluctant to try it, but some of these tuitions are so much more than I can afford...
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I don't think it's cruel, really, but I do know that it may not be effective. Someone suggested doing this at the Berkeley Admitted Day earlier this week, and the dean responded by saying that they "don't have pots of money lying around waiting for you to ask for them." (That sounds a lot cattier than the dean actually sounded, btw!)

Of course, the UC's situation is different than many schools', and I don't think it can *hurt* you to try it. Just know it might not give you results.
 
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amm13d said:
Just got another message saying that email was just a test. Actual awards will be announced next week.
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Same! It wasn't a bad package to start with, and the note about the actual package maybe including need-based grants was pretty exciting. 😉
 
PHAspirations said:
Same! It wasn't a bad package to start with, and the note about the actual package maybe including need-based grants was pretty exciting. 😉
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Ha my package was like hello this will cost you 65,000 and you can have 33,000 in loans, figure the rest out. You're welcome.

Hoping the actual package is a little better for me!
 
Huh. I got the "not live" message but didn't see an award letter. I checked my spam box and there it was :cyclops: Maybe my inbox knew I didn't really want to see it HAHA. Hoping the actual package is more manageable.
 
ljt913 said:
Ha my package was like hello this will cost you 65,000 and you can have 33,000 in loans, figure the rest out. You're welcome.

Hoping the actual package is a little better for me!
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LOL for real! *cries*
 
For everyone that received the GW Cost of Attendance - as someone who went to GW for undergrad, I want to advise you to 1) not live in their graduate housing and 2) not take their numbers at face value.

The grad housing at GW isn't very good and it's extremely expensive. The neighborhoods around GW (West End and Foggy Bottom) are very pricey, but if you live somewhere a few metro stops away, it's much more affordable and also a lot more fun in terms of areas to go out, more restaurant/bar options, activities, etc. There are so many awesome neighborhoods in DC - I would suggest looking at Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, Eastern Market, Capitol Hill, and also areas in Northern Virginia. You can likely find a room for around $1000 a month (which is way less than their estimate) and you can easily metro or bike to school in 30 min or less. The main thing to keep in mind is that it looks like their credits come out to $1500 per credit. I also currently work in DC (which I realize some of you don't plan to work while in school), and it looks like my cost per year to attend would come in under $20k. Just some things to think about!
 
moonwave89 said:
Thanks for the encouragement guys. It means a lot, especially since I feel like I've talked my family and friends to death about this whole grad school shenanigans. Glad to have a space where other people are in a similar boat and actually understand how it feels to wait for weeks and months for something that'll impact, at the least, the next several years of their lives! *e-hugs* (or is that getting too close for comfort?) :laugh: *backs away* but still. Very much appreciated. 🙂
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Happy to help! It was almost therapeutic to go to this forum and vent about SOPHAS, waiting on laggards like Yale, etc.

I'm definitely interested to hear where the forum regulars like @moonwave89 @PHAspirations @hnnrgh @PHPenguin @thenxoxo22 @amm13d @OxBakerTriumphant are attending in the Fall!
 
montreux said:
Happy to help! It was almost therapeutic to go to this forum and vent about SOPHAS, waiting on laggards like Yale, etc.

I'm definitely interested to hear where the forum regulars like @moonwave89 @PHAspirations @hnnrgh @PHPenguin @thenxoxo22 @amm13d @OxBakerTriumphant are attending in the Fall!
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Trust me, y'all will be the first to know. Maybe even before my family. LOL. Can't wait to see where you choose, too! I may or may not be imagining an adorable kitten going to public health school...
 
clearestblue said:
For everyone that received the GW Cost of Attendance - as someone who went to GW for undergrad, I want to advise you to 1) not live in their graduate housing and 2) not take their numbers at face value.

The grad housing at GW isn't very good and it's extremely expensive. The neighborhoods around GW (West End and Foggy Bottom) are very pricey, but if you live somewhere a few metro stops away, it's much more affordable and also a lot more fun in terms of areas to go out, more restaurant/bar options, activities, etc. There are so many awesome neighborhoods in DC - I would suggest looking at Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, Eastern Market, Capitol Hill, and also areas in Northern Virginia. You can likely find a room for around $1000 a month (which is way less than their estimate) and you can easily metro or bike to school in 30 min or less. The main thing to keep in mind is that it looks like their credits come out to $1500 per credit. I also currently work in DC (which I realize some of you don't plan to work while in school), and it looks like my cost per year to attend would come in under $20k. Just some things to think about!
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Agreed! I've been working in DC for ~a year since undergrad (which I also attended in DC) and will likely be attending GW; happy to help anyone who needs tips on saving money in the city. It's a hustle but it can be done!
 
quepasta said:
A question about financial aid:

Has anyone tried to increase the amount of their financial aid by notifying School A that School B has offered a 75% tuition scholarship, to almost play the schools off of each other? Someone suggested doing that and said that many applicants successfully do this for Law and Med School. It sounds a bit cruel which is why I'm reluctant to try it, but some of these tuitions are so much more than I can afford...
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I feel like once you're accepted- you have some leverage. It's not cruel. If you've been offered admission, then they are interested in you. Now that you're in, you have the right as a consumer to get the best bang for your large investment of money and time, you need to determine what is the best fit for you and the financial package is a HUGE part of that.
It feels awkward to make that phone call asking for a better package, but what's there to lose? You're already in the programs! Go for it!
 
Just heard from Berkeley about a merit-based fellowship! 🙂 It's not enormous ($6,540), but it brings one semester down to less than the cost of in-state tuition. Very happy to have gotten something, and it makes their tuition much more competitive with what I'm currently looking at paying for Columbia and UW.
 
Got accepted to NYU...I seriously can't believe ti but yes I got the admission with 5k scholarship per year, which is ohhh soo much for me :/
But I am happy , I wasn't expecting a single acceptance but now I do have something on my plate. Rutgers and drexel still awaited 🙁
 
Does anyone know of a Facebook group for Columbia?
 
Does anyone know what percentage of courses at Columbia are taught by full professors vs. doctoral students or adjuncts?
 
PHAspirations said:
Just heard from Berkeley about a merit-based fellowship! 🙂 It's not enormous ($6,540), but it brings one semester down to less than the cost of in-state tuition. Very happy to have gotten something, and it makes their tuition much more competitive with what I'm currently looking at paying for Columbia and UW.
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Congratulations! It sounds like you got that without needing to submit the statement of intent to register? That's great news, although your other choices look good too!
 
PHAspirations said:
Could anyone speak to how well Columbia actually incorporates its social justice ideals into its curriculum? Maybe someone who attended their recent visit day, like @Jglamour, @judy03 or @moonwave89? This is a big factor for me and something I'm trying to parse out over all the schools I've applied to. Thanks so much! 🙂
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I didn't get to hear too much about this at Accepted Students Day but from what I understand, There seems to be multiple opportunities to incorporate social justice into your studies. there are many courses with a focus on social justice (environmental justice, racial or economic justice etc). That is one of the things that excites me specifically about the SMS department. In addition some students mentioned having discussions about police brutality and even out of classroom events. A professor mentioned he was recently on NPR discussing the historical context to the Flint water crisis. So it seems like you can find the right professors and classmates to get involved and have these discussions. There are also student groups on campus that get involved in the nearby communities and try to make an impact.


Oh and also, I don't know if anyone else saw this but last year's graduating class at Mailman, a wide number of the students wore black stoles that said "Black Lives Matter" at graduation which I found to be very cool and impactful!

I know this isn't very detailed or may not fully answer your question but I hope it helps a bit
 
ec_lc1114 said:
Congratulations! It sounds like you got that without needing to submit the statement of intent to register? That's great news, although your other choices look good too!
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Yup, haven't submitted my SIR yet! Currently plotting how I can get a GSRship to help with the rest... time to get on my intro email/résumé game! 😉
 
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