MPH Fall 2017: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected!

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amm13d said:
I actually DID list things like waitressing, bartending, skybox serving, etc on my SOPHAS app so admissions could see the amount of hours I was working per week on top of school. By adding this experience to your SOPHAS app, you won't have to detract from your word count on your personal statement. Despite my circumstances, I had an okay GPA so I didn't think it was worth it to explain these things to admissions because like @wwmmkk said, I didn't want to unnecessarily draw their attention to that. I don't see your job experience (albeit money making job experience) as a flaw at all. Plus you have way better GRE scores than me!
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Yeah, definitely. I treated the resume and experience section on SOPHAS as more of a "list everything I've done to make money, learn, or contribute to society since HS" and less "curate a list of most relevant and impressive experiences" so that my full backstory could be evaluated without having to write a novel of a personal statement. I am pretty sure you can add experiences on SOPHAS even after submitting an application, so maybe do that?
 
wwmmkk said:
Yeah, definitely. I treated the resume and experience section on SOPHAS as more of a "list everything I've done to make money, learn, or contribute to society since HS" and less "curate a list of most relevant and impressive experiences" so that my full backstory could be evaluated without having to write a novel of a personal statement. I am pretty sure you can add experiences on SOPHAS even after submitting an application, so maybe do that?
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You can add experiences after submitting, I did it a couple days ago.
 
Willamette3 said:
They inform about scholarships mid February. They will send out the full financial aid package with your loans and all that in July. Which concentration did you get accepted into?
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Hi! I know this conversation ended a while ago, but I was wondering if you know if they send all the info in mid-Feb or if it depends when you apply. i.e., I applied around 1/1 so I'm expecting to hear back in the next few weeks. If I get in, do you think my funding info will be sent as well, or will I wait longer since I applied later? Thanks! 🙂
 
3 years @ Teach For America; 2 as a corps member, 1 on-staff
Economics and Political Science Undergrad
Accepted (in order of preference) @ UNC-Leadership Track, Vanderbilt-Policy, GWU-Policy, Northwestern, Loyola Chicago, UVA, Florida
Waiting (and top choices for me in order): UC-Berkeley MPP/MPH, Harvard MPH, UT Austin MPA/MPH, UIC MBA/MPH
 
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ColombianScholar said:
Is ranking particularly important for school programs? I'm very drawn to Yale University but its currently ranked #14 while other schools such as BU are ranked higher.
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Read up on how they do the rankings for public health. It's ridiculous. Much more important things to consider are job placement, the size of the program, connections the school has, you're fit with the school/location, etc.
 
Did anyone get an Emory webinar reminder just now and mistake it for a decision email?.....reported as :spam:

For those still waiting/in review! Per the BSHE team webinar, every BSHE application received to date will receive an email from the team by the end of next week!
 
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Undergrad School: Hofstra University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 2.95 (SOPHAS, Engineering major in my lower class semesters :x)
Major/Minor: Community Health
GRE (including date taken): (8/2016) V: 157 (75%) Q: 144 (17%) AW: 3.5 (42%)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 100 hours of volunteering at local hospital
- Over 500 hours of volunteering at local community center

Applied: OSU (MHA, 12/19), Hofstra (MHA, 12/14), UF (MHA, 1/5), USF (MPH, 1/27), GWU (MPH, 2/1)
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

Haven't heard back from many schools yet, although I applied pretty late. I'm hoping to get into USF/UF but I'm nervous because my stats seem lower than most.
 
late_apply said:
Read up on how they do the rankings for public health. It's ridiculous. Much more important things to consider are job placement, the size of the program, connections the school has, you're fit with the school/location, etc.
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Agreed. I recently spoke with a woman who has had a successful career and did her MPH at Columbia and she told me the name of a school is not as important. She suggested picking a school that 1) is actively engaged in the specific field I'm interested in and 2) has focused coursework that will provide me with the knowledge and technical skills I need for my career (she suggested pinpointing a job I want and then working backwards by figuring out which program would best prepare me for it).
 
Hello! Is anyone still waiting to hear back from BU by any chance? I applied to the Chronic and Non-Communicable Diseases concentration and was told I'd hear back in 4-6 weeks (received confirmation email on 12/19). Dying from the wait... was wondering if it's worth reaching out to them
 
Just got a letter in the mail saying I've been selected as a Dornsife Public Health Fellow at Drexel. ~5.5k per quarter for tuition (over 5 or 6 quarters, so this is like a little less than half the total tuition) and 1k/month stipend for 15hr/week work with a faculty member. I have to say Drexel has been falling off my radar, but this is a really tempting offer.

Also, I got a 3k diversity scholarship to Buffalo, which I sincerely hope is not the entirety of what they will award me because they were supposed to be my financial safety.

The wait on an admissions decision from my last 3 schools is driving me crazy, and I haven't heard about any other scholarships or finaid at the schools to which I've been accepted. :meh:🤣
 
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soyomu said:
Hello! Is anyone still waiting to hear back from BU by any chance? I applied to the Chronic and Non-Communicable Diseases concentration and was told I'd hear back in 4-6 weeks (received confirmation email on 12/19). Dying from the wait... was wondering if it's worth reaching out to them
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I'm still waiting! I didn't get my confirmation e-mail until 5 weeks after I submitted though (ugh), so it hasn't been 4-6 weeks for me yet... but it has been about 2 months since I applied.
 
soyomu said:
Hello! Is anyone still waiting to hear back from BU by any chance? I applied to the Chronic and Non-Communicable Diseases concentration and was told I'd hear back in 4-6 weeks (received confirmation email on 12/19). Dying from the wait... was wondering if it's worth reaching out to them
Click to expand...

Yes me! We have the exact same timeline but I applied Global Health, so it might just be a back up on decisions but I'm not completely sure 🙁 I really thought we would have heard sooner based on last years timelines?

**Edit mine was submitted 12/19 and labeled complete 01/05, so hopefully you find out today or tomorrow because that seems too long to be waiting!!
 
For those in undergrad, did you all send transcript updates with fall grades?
 
Anyone else having trouble with the Hopkins personal site? The "checklist for application" tab is missing for mine so I can't check the admissions status! 😱
 
Please help, I got an email from UPenn for an interview. Is this normal and what should I prepare for? On the other hand I got into Drexel as well.
 
Hi guys, did anyone who got into Pitt hear anything about funding? I just got the official letter and still no hint of it. So I'm trying to figure out if they even have any?
 
ColombianScholar said:
Is ranking particularly important for school programs? I'm very drawn to Yale University but its currently ranked #14 while other schools such as BU are ranked higher.
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I've spoken to the Admissions director and Financial Aid Director at Yale, as is/was? one of my top choices. It seems like a great program with plenty of electives and the opportunity to take classes across Yale's many graduate schools. I believe it is strong in research, with a large percentage of students pursuing further education (https://publichealth.yale.edu/career/toolkit/metrics/)

However, I'm really disillusioned with their financial aid. Their tuition for one year is close to $45K, and they offer very little aid. There are very few merit scholarships, and the most given out for need based aid is only 10K, meaning at the very best, you're responsible for about 70K in tuition, plus living expenses. (On the other hand, I'm aware education is an investment-I worked for several years to try to offset costs).

What I found unsettling in particular is that when I was asking questions about financing with the financial aid office, the financial aid director said, " Well some people don't take out loans and just pay out of pocket" That is not the thing to say to someone voicing concerns about affordability to a financial aid office! I don't mean to heavily criticize Yale-if they don't have funding, they don't have funding. I know I applied to an expensive school- I just think they could do a better job at listening to the concerns of prospective students and help us through the process more.

Just some words for thought! Also, this was just my experience. Hopefully other people have more positive ones!
 
Undergrad School: Case Western Reserve University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.59 / Psychology: 3.80; Sociology: 3.89; Chinese: 4.00
Major/Minor: Psychology&Sociology/Chinese
GRE (including date taken): V: 158 Q: 161 AW: 4.0
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-2 years of international public service work as an assistant teacher for mentally and/or physicall ill students
-3 months of volunteer experience at a local hospital
-1 month of volunteer experience at a mental institution (outside the U.S)

Applied: Harvard (MPH), Yale (MPH), Columbia (MHA), UPenn (MPH), Dartmouth (MPH), Johns Hopkins (MSPH), Northwestern (MPH), Brown (MPH), Vanderbilt (MPH), Washington University in St. Louis (MPH), Emory (MPH), UCLA (MPH), Tufts (MPH), NYU (MPH), BU (MPH), GW (MPH), Northeastern (MPH), Rutgers (MPH), San Diego State University (MPH)

Accepted: Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern ($18,000), Vanderbilt , Washington University in St. Louis ($25,000+top-tier scholarship interview in Feb.), Emory, UCLA , BU ($12,000), GW ($10,000)

Rejected: Harvard

My academic adviser told me to apply as many schools as I can... Probably because I am an international student. I was greatly surprised that they are offering scholarship for an international student! I am waiting for scholarship offers from JHU, Vandi, Emory, and UCLA. But money is not an issue for deciding a school.

I declined an interview from U Penn, because I just thought they don't have a rigorous MPH program. I will withdraw my application for Northeastern, Rutgers, and SDSU, as I am no longer interested in their programs...

Anyone heard back from Yale or Columbia?
 
casew said:
Undergrad School: Case Western Reserve University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.59 / Psychology: 3.80; Sociology: 3.89; Chinese: 4.00
Major/Minor: Psychology&Sociology/Chinese
GRE (including date taken): V: 158 Q: 161 AW: 4.0
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-2 years of international public service work as an assistant teacher for mentally and/or physicall ill students
-3 months of volunteer experience at a local hospital
-1 month of volunteer experience at a mental institution (outside the U.S)

Applied: Harvard (MPH), Yale (MPH), Columbia (MHA), UPenn (MPH), Dartmouth (MPH), Johns Hopkins (MSPH), Northwestern (MPH), Brown (MPH), Vanderbilt (MPH), Washington University in St. Louis (MPH), Emory (MPH), UCLA (MPH), Tufts (MPH), NYU (MPH), BU (MPH), GW (MPH), Northeastern (MPH), Rutgers (MPH), San Diego State University (MPH)

Accepted: Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern ($18,000), Vanderbilt , Washington University in St. Louis ($25,000+top-tier scholarship interview in Feb.), Emory, UCLA , BU ($12,000), GW ($10,000)

Rejected: Harvard

My academic adviser told me to apply as many schools as I can... Probably because I am an international student. I was greatly surprised that they are offering scholarship for an international student! I am waiting for scholarship offers from JHU, Vandi, Emory, and UCLA. But money is not an issue for deciding a school.

I declined an interview from U Penn, because I just thought they don't have a rigorous MPH program. I will withdraw my application for Northeastern, Rutgers, and SDSU, as I am no longer interested in their programs...

Anyone heard back from Yale or Columbia?
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When did you hear back from Harvard?
 
wwmmkk said:
Just got a letter in the mail saying I've been selected as a Dornsife Public Health Fellow at Drexel. ~5.5k per quarter for tuition (over 5 or 6 quarters, so this is like a little less than half the total tuition) and 1k/month stipend for 15hr/week work with a faculty member. I have to say Drexel has been falling off my radar, but this is a really tempting offer.

Also, I got a 3k diversity scholarship to Buffalo, which I sincerely hope is not the entirety of what they will award me because they were supposed to be my financial safety.

The wait on an admissions decision from my last 3 schools is driving me crazy, and I haven't heard about any other scholarships or finaid at the schools to which I've been accepted. :meh:🤣
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I just got my letter for the Dornsife Public Health Fellows as well! Definitely considering Drexel atm, waiting to hear back from other schools I applied to
 
casew said:
Undergrad School: Case Western Reserve University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.59 / Psychology: 3.80; Sociology: 3.89; Chinese: 4.00
Major/Minor: Psychology&Sociology/Chinese
GRE (including date taken): V: 158 Q: 161 AW: 4.0
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-2 years of international public service work as an assistant teacher for mentally and/or physicall ill students
-3 months of volunteer experience at a local hospital
-1 month of volunteer experience at a mental institution (outside the U.S)

Applied: Harvard (MPH), Yale (MPH), Columbia (MHA), UPenn (MPH), Dartmouth (MPH), Johns Hopkins (MSPH), Northwestern (MPH), Brown (MPH), Vanderbilt (MPH), Washington University in St. Louis (MPH), Emory (MPH), UCLA (MPH), Tufts (MPH), NYU (MPH), BU (MPH), GW (MPH), Northeastern (MPH), Rutgers (MPH), San Diego State University (MPH)

Accepted: Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern ($18,000), Vanderbilt , Washington University in St. Louis ($25,000+top-tier scholarship interview in Feb.), Emory, UCLA , BU ($12,000), GW ($10,000)

Rejected: Harvard

My academic adviser told me to apply as many schools as I can... Probably because I am an international student. I was greatly surprised that they are offering scholarship for an international student! I am waiting for scholarship offers from JHU, Vandi, Emory, and UCLA. But money is not an issue for deciding a school.

I declined an interview from U Penn, because I just thought they don't have a rigorous MPH program. I will withdraw my application for Northeastern, Rutgers, and SDSU, as I am no longer interested in their programs...

Anyone heard back from Yale or Columbia?
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Congratulations! It sounds like you have some great options. When did you apply to Dartmouth and John Hopkins, and when did you hear back from both schools?
 
Optimistic81 said:
Congratulations! It sounds like you have some great options. When did you apply to Dartmouth and John Hopkins, and when did you hear back from both schools?
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I submitted all my application on 11/29/16 thorough SOPHAS. Dartmouth invited me to a phone call interview on 1/9/17. I had my Dartmouth interview on 1/25/16 and received an acceptance letter on 1/31/17. I heard back from JHU yesterday, 2/2/17. Hope this help you!
 
casew said:
I submitted all my application on 11/29/16 thorough SOPHAS. Dartmouth invited me to a phone call interview on 1/9/17. I had my Dartmouth interview on 1/25/16 and received an acceptance letter on 1/31/17. I heard back from JHU yesterday, 2/2/17. Hope this help you!
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It does! Thanks! And congratulations again. 🙂
 
casew said:
Undergrad School: Case Western Reserve University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.59 / Psychology: 3.80; Sociology: 3.89; Chinese: 4.00
Major/Minor: Psychology&Sociology/Chinese
GRE (including date taken): V: 158 Q: 161 AW: 4.0
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-2 years of international public service work as an assistant teacher for mentally and/or physicall ill students
-3 months of volunteer experience at a local hospital
-1 month of volunteer experience at a mental institution (outside the U.S)

Applied: Harvard (MPH), Yale (MPH), Columbia (MHA), UPenn (MPH), Dartmouth (MPH), Johns Hopkins (MSPH), Northwestern (MPH), Brown (MPH), Vanderbilt (MPH), Washington University in St. Louis (MPH), Emory (MPH), UCLA (MPH), Tufts (MPH), NYU (MPH), BU (MPH), GW (MPH), Northeastern (MPH), Rutgers (MPH), San Diego State University (MPH)

Accepted: Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern ($18,000), Vanderbilt , Washington University in St. Louis ($25,000+top-tier scholarship interview in Feb.), Emory, UCLA , BU ($12,000), GW ($10,000)

Rejected: Harvard

My academic adviser told me to apply as many schools as I can... Probably because I am an international student. I was greatly surprised that they are offering scholarship for an international student! I am waiting for scholarship offers from JHU, Vandi, Emory, and UCLA. But money is not an issue for deciding a school.

I declined an interview from U Penn, because I just thought they don't have a rigorous MPH program. I will withdraw my application for Northeastern, Rutgers, and SDSU, as I am no longer interested in their programs...

Anyone heard back from Yale or Columbia?
Click to expand...


How did you hear back from Harvard? Through an email directing you to the portal or did you just check the portal without an email?
 
sokapheapluuh said:
How did you hear back from Harvard? Through an email directing you to the portal or did you just check the portal without an email?
Click to expand...
I got an email from the admissions office saying, "A decision has been reached on your application. Make sure you have claimed your HarvardKey before attempting to view your decision..." And I checked the portal to see the decision. It was heartbroken but understandable...Well, it's Harvard. Hope you hear a great news from Harvard!!🙂
 
casew said:
Undergrad School: Case Western Reserve University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.59 / Psychology: 3.80; Sociology: 3.89; Chinese: 4.00
Major/Minor: Psychology&Sociology/Chinese
GRE (including date taken): V: 158 Q: 161 AW: 4.0
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-2 years of international public service work as an assistant teacher for mentally and/or physicall ill students
-3 months of volunteer experience at a local hospital
-1 month of volunteer experience at a mental institution (outside the U.S)

Applied: Harvard (MPH), Yale (MPH), Columbia (MHA), UPenn (MPH), Dartmouth (MPH), Johns Hopkins (MSPH), Northwestern (MPH), Brown (MPH), Vanderbilt (MPH), Washington University in St. Louis (MPH), Emory (MPH), UCLA (MPH), Tufts (MPH), NYU (MPH), BU (MPH), GW (MPH), Northeastern (MPH), Rutgers (MPH), San Diego State University (MPH)

Accepted: Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern ($18,000), Vanderbilt , Washington University in St. Louis ($25,000+top-tier scholarship interview in Feb.), Emory, UCLA , BU ($12,000), GW ($10,000)

Rejected: Harvard

My academic adviser told me to apply as many schools as I can... Probably because I am an international student. I was greatly surprised that they are offering scholarship for an international student! I am waiting for scholarship offers from JHU, Vandi, Emory, and UCLA. But money is not an issue for deciding a school.

I declined an interview from U Penn, because I just thought they don't have a rigorous MPH program. I will withdraw my application for Northeastern, Rutgers, and SDSU, as I am no longer interested in their programs...

Anyone heard back from Yale or Columbia?
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Hi! Congratulations on all your acceptances, thats fantastic news!

I also was accepted to Northwestern's MPH program with scholarship. I was curious as to what your thoughts were about their program? I'm slightly concerned it may not be as in depth as other programs I've applied to.
 
MHA93 said:
Hi! Congratulations on all your acceptances, thats fantastic news!

I also was accepted to Northwestern's MPH program with scholarship. I was curious as to what your thoughts were about their program? I'm slightly concerned it may not be as in depth as other programs I've applied to.
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Hello,
Compared to other schools of public health, I personally think that Northwestern does not have a strong MPH program or noticeable faculty members. I am strongly interested in the Health Policy and Management track, but they do not have one. So I applied for a generalist option. Also, the living expenses (rent fee, foods, and so on) at Chicago campus look exorbitant for me. But it is a one-year program from a stellar school, which may appeal to some applicants.

The decision is up to you!
 
Undergrad School: UC Davis
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.4 🙁 / Unknown
Major/Minor: Animal Biology major
GRE: 163 (92%) V - 166 (91%) Q - 5.5 (98%) W (Taken 25Sept16)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 yrs hospital research (Emergency Medicine) as an intern
- 1 yr hospital research (Emergency Medicine) paid
- 1 yr hospital research (Radiology) paid (post-grad, i.e. right now)
- Undergraduate research thesis
- Accepted to present current research at a conference in March
etc.

Applied: UC Berkeley (MPH Epi + Biostats), Stanford (MS Epi), UofWash (MS Epi), Columbia (MPH Epi), Harvard (MS Epi)
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

Anyone know when these programs might release their decisions based on past years? I'm getting so anxious!
I'm also scared my GPA will hurt me - thoughts? I do have a safety lined up, so I'm okay in that regard (long story short it's a Bio PhD 😕).
 
epirad said:
Undergrad School: UC Davis
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.4 🙁 / Unknown
Major/Minor: Animal Biology major
GRE: 163 (92%) V - 166 (91%) Q - 5.5 (98%) W (Taken 25Sept16)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 yrs hospital research (Emergency Medicine) as an intern
- 1 yr hospital research (Emergency Medicine) paid
- 1 yr hospital research (Radiology) paid (post-grad, i.e. right now)
- Undergraduate research thesis
- Accepted to present current research at a conference in March
etc.

Applied: UC Berkeley (MPH Epi + Biostats), Stanford (MS Epi), UofWash (MS Epi), Columbia (MPH Epi), Harvard (MS Epi)
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

Anyone know when these programs might release their decisions based on past years? I'm getting so anxious!
I'm also scared my GPA will hurt me - thoughts? I do have a safety lined up, so I'm okay in that regard (long story short it's a Bio PhD 😕).
Click to expand...

I didn't apply Epi, but your GPA is the same as mine and your GRE scores are quite close to mine as well. I got into Hopkins with those scores, so I think you'll be okay! Also, you've got some great experiences 🙂

Rumor is that Columbia will be releasing the first round of decisions today. I'm personally waiting on bated breath for Harvard as well!
 
casew said:
I got an email from the admissions office saying, "A decision has been reached on your application. Make sure you have claimed your HarvardKey before attempting to view your decision..." And I checked the portal to see the decision. It was heartbroken but understandable...Well, it's Harvard. Hope you hear a great news from Harvard!!🙂
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear that :-/ Thanks, I wish you well in your applications too! It looks like you got into some great programs!
 
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