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

[625233]

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Hi! freaking out about apps, so here it goes!

Undergrad School: University of Miami
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.3 - Junior & up GPA: 3.6
Major/Minor: Exercise Physiology with minors in Psychology and Spanish
GRE - 158V/156Q 5.0AW
Experience/Research :
-Undergrad research assistant for 2 years
-Independent student research study for 3 month - paper under publication process
-Ongoing independent research study - to be published spring 2017
-shadowed physical therapist for 3 months
-study abroad one semester lived with host family
-Global Ambassador (work with other exchange/international/abroad kids) at university

Interested in: UCLA, Tulane, UT Houston, Uni Southern California, UMiami, UMD, GWU (all epi/global health)
Applied: UCLA, Tulane, UT Houston, Uni Southern California, UMiami, UMD, GWU (all epi/global health)
Accepted: N/A
Rejected: N/A

Should I add more safety schools? I am worried because my GPA is a bit low, but I should have some good LORs. I also didn't become interested in Public Health until later in my undergrad (thus reason for lack of experience but this is all addressed in my statement of purpose). Let me know what you all think about my chances! 🙂 Good luck everyone!

You're good 🙂 Tulane is almost guaranteed for most people (77% acceptance).


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[MRLmic]

Hi All,

I'm retaking the GRE hoping to get a higher quant score. I'm pretty nervous about my low GPA, but I'm hoping my extra-curriculars will round out my application. Any opinions or suggestions are appreciated. Good luck to everyone!

Undergrad School: Arizona State
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 2.8 /2.7 (SOPHAS)
Major/Minor: Microbiology/ pre-health
GRE - 155Q, 167V (raw scores)- essay/final scores pending
MCAT - 25 - 9 BS, 10 VR, 6 PS
Experience/Research :
- 4 years as a medical scribe in the emergency room in AZ
- 2 years as a Peace Corps health education volunteer
- 2 years as a research assistant - cancer clinical trials in Boston (likely to get 1 publication from this)
- 1 year as a research assistant for a biotech lab in AZ
Volunteer/ extra-curriculars:
- 1 semester tutoring ESL kids in Phoenix
- Founder of a Red Cross club at ASU which organized charity and blood drives
-

Interested in: Global MPH/Epi programs - Johns Hopkins, Boston University, Emory, Harvard, George Washington (#1!), Tulane, U of Michigan, NYU, Tufts, U Penn - I would really love to get into either GW or Johns Hopkins as my end goal is policy and my BF is starting JH in January!
Applied: GWU, Johns Hopkins, Michigan, BU, Emory, Harvard
Accepted:
Rejected: Michigan (1/9)
Waitlisted:

 

[marvin linda]

Undergrad School: California State University Long Beach

Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: overall 3.1, upper division 3.7

Major/Minor: sociology

GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): V:148, Q:152 AWA: 5

Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-6 months work experience as a health services counselor at a group home for pregnant/parenting foster youth
-1 year work experience at a mental health rehab facility as a staff assistant
-9 months work experience as a sober companion/care taker
-1 year work experience at a non-profit organization for drug addicted youth as a program/executive assistant
-1 year volunteer experience as a tutor for homeless youth that were children of drug addicts/alcoholics
-8 months of volunteer experience as a court appointed special advocate for foster youth

Special factors??? I am 5 years sober from drug/alcohol addiction. I am passionate about the health and well-being of the mentally-ill population, drug addicted population, foster youth population, prison population, homeless population and undocumented population

Interested in: UCLA (community health), CSULB
Applied: UCLA, CSULB in progress
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

I am concerned that my GPA and GRE scores are too low but I am hoping that my experience makes up for it. I am still pretty unsure if I will get into either program, does anyone have any feedback?

 

[625233]

Undergrad School: California State University Long Beach

Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: overall 3.1, upper division 3.7

Major/Minor: sociology

GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): V:148, Q:152 AWA: 5

Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-6 months work experience as a health services counselor at a group home for pregnant/parenting foster youth
-1 year work experience at a mental health rehab facility as a staff assistant
-9 months work experience as a sober companion/care taker
-1 year work experience at a non-profit organization for drug addicted youth as a program/executive assistant
-1 year volunteer experience as a tutor for homeless youth that were children of drug addicts/alcoholics
-8 months of volunteer experience as a court appointed special advocate for foster youth

Special factors??? I am 5 years sober from drug/alcohol addiction. I am passionate about the health and well-being of the mentally-ill population, drug addicted population, foster youth population, prison population, homeless population and undocumented population

Interested in: UCLA (community health), CSULB
Applied: UCLA, CSULB in progress
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

I am concerned that my GPA and GRE scores are too low but I am hoping that my experience makes up for it. I am still pretty unsure if I will get into either program, does anyone have any feedback?

I'd apply to more schools-GWU, Tulane, Boston, etc.


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[marvin linda]

I'd apply to more schools-GWU, Tulane, Boston, etc.


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I would like to stay in CA, are there any other CA schools you recommend?

 

[sloth17]

I would like to stay in CA, are there any other CA schools you recommend?

USC and UC Berkeley, maybe?

 

[jason1212]

I would like to stay in CA, are there any other CA schools you recommend?

SDSU and Loma Linda also have programs

 

[medception]

Undergrad School: Loyola University Maryland (Graduated May 2012)
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: Overall: 3.64/Math Economics: 3.65/Biochemistry: 3.57
Major/Minor: Double Major - Math Economics & Biochemistry
GradGPA: N/A
Grad Studies: N/A
GRE: 152V/152Q/4W (taken January 2012), Re-taking 10/29/2016
Experience/Research:

- Currently working at a health policy consulting firm (staffed on two health insurance exchanges as operations consultant, claims data analyst for state medicaid redesign project) - 2.5 years
- Telemetry CNA and Patient Transporter at large hospital in Maryland - 1.5 years
- Assistant Disability Program Manager for U.S. Air Force (worked with Pentagon to represent disabled civilian employees and active duty personnel) - 1 year
- Volunteered at HIV/AIDS foster care facility in college - 4 years
- Volunteered at 3 separate hospitals in Baltimore area - 2 years total
- Started, and was president of, my school's chapter of Hillel - 4 years
- Research:
1) Organic synthesis (study abroad in India through Harvard) - 2 months
2) Organometallic chemistry (undergrad credit) - 5 months
3) Oral infectious disease (post-undergrad, UMD Dental School) - 7 months
4) Economic modeling (post-undergrad, NIST internship) - 2 months

5 letters - 1 from undergrad chemistry prof., 1 from undergrad economics prof, 3 from current supervisors/project managers (on various projects I've worked on).

Really concerned about my GRE score - my work schedule is insane sometimes, but I just explained in my app that I didn't think it was representative of my abilities, because I work with SAS data every day. I think my SOP and letters are/will be solid. Hopkins is my top choice cause I have several colleagues who got their MPH from there. What do you guys think?

Interested in: Health Policy & Management
Applied (Submitted SOPHAS 10/04/2016): Johns Hopkins MPH, Johns Hopkins ScM., LSE IHP, Yale MPH, Emory MPH, George Washington MPH, Vanderbilt MPH, Columbia MPH, UCLA MPH, Michigan MPH
Accepted: GWU Health Policy (11/22/2016)
Rejected: TBD
Waitlisted: TBD

Accepted to GWU full-time program in Health Policy today (11/22/2016). Someone sell me on it.

 

[peudamour]

I'll go ahead and add my stats here as well 🙂

Undergrad School: Large Public University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.53 / 3.75 in Spanish
Major/Minor: Spanish for Intl Business, Minor in Pre-Medicine
GradGPA (if applicable): N/A
Grad Studies (if applicable): N/A
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): 163 VR 155 QR 5 Writing
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
1 year research in a biology lab; no publications
2 years volunteer as a teacher for elementary school in developing nation
1 year volunteer at a diabetes outreach center in developing nation
2 years work fulltime as a medical scribe
1 year work part time as a CNA
etc...

Special factors???
Fluent in English and Spanish (no heritage); learning French and German
Clasically trained vocalist; play guitar and ukulele 🙂

Interested in: Harvard, Columbia, Berkeley, UMich, Boston, Emory, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Brown
Applied: All of the above
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

Anxious about scholarships and such 😳

 

[jshek94]

I heard back from UMich on Friday (11/18) too (General Epi). My last LOR was submitted on 11/11, and my application was considered complete on 11/14. So it's just about a week!! But SOPHAS verified my application on 10/17. Hope that helps🙂

How did you know your application was considered complete? I'm all verified on SOPHAS but do I need to get an email from UMich or something to know that it's officially "complete"? Thanks!!

 

[sloth17]

How did you know your application was considered complete? I'm all verified on SOPHAS but do I need to get an email from UMich or something to know that it's officially "complete"? Thanks!!

You will get an email from UMich saying your application has been received and it will give you details on how to make an account on Wolverine Access. Once you log in, you can check if your application is considered "complete". When were you verified by SOPHAS?

 

[seeseeb]

I already submitted my applications for Columbia, Brown, and the University of Washington and now feel kind of ridiculous because my GRE scores were 156V/154Q. Are my scores likely to count me out as a contender for these programs? I'm really worried now.

 

[jshek94]

You will get an email from UMich saying your application has been received and it will give you details on how to make an account on Wolverine Access. Once you log in, you can check if your application is considered "complete". When were you verified by SOPHAS?

I was verified on 11/2 but my GRE scores are still "pending" so they haven't been received which is probably why I haven't gotten that email.. Thanks for the reply!

 

[wwmmkk]

I already submitted my applications for Columbia, Brown, and the University of Washington and now feel kind of ridiculous because my GRE scores were 156V/154Q. Are my scores likely to count me out as a contender for these programs? I'm really worried now.

This is impossible to answer without knowing the rest of your stats. Particularly, is your GPA high (>3.5)? If so, don't worry too much, but if it's not, I would start picking safety schools.

 

[seeseeb]

Deleted.

 

[MPHmasterjuve]

Undergrad School: International school
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: SOPHAS: 3.52; WES: 3.74 undergraduate and 3.63 graduate
Major/Minor: Medicine
GradGPA (if applicable): 3.63 (WES)
Grad Studies (if applicable): Medicine
GRE: 159 verbal (82nd percentile), 161 quantitative (79th percentile), 5 AWA (93rd percentile)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
1) Alpha omega Alpha award
2) Student representative council member for 2 consecutive years

Applied: John Hopkins (MPH), Harvard (SM. Cardiovascular epidemiology), UC Berkeley (MPH; focus epidemiology) , UCLA (MPH; focus epidemiology) , Emory (MPH; focus epidemiology) , Columbia (MPH; focus epidemiology), GW (Epidemiology), U of Michigan (Epidemiology)
Accepted: GW (12/20/2016), U of Michigan (12/23/2016)
Do you guys think I'm aiming too high especially that my research/experience and GPA are not that outstanding?

 

[Arztin]

Hi people, just a quick question. I am applying to harvard/columbia/uc berkeley + emory. Is there any chance I would need to be contactable via phone by any of them over the coming months? I am travelling and do not have reliable access to phone and won't be back on my Australian number which is on all my application stuff until early February. Thanks!

 

[625233]

Hi people, just a quick question. I am applying to harvard/columbia/uc berkeley + emory. Is there any chance I would need to be contactable via phone by any of them over the coming months? I am travelling and do not have reliable access to phone and won't be back on my Australian number which is on all my application stuff until early February. Thanks!

From my understanding the only department that sometimes chooses to interview is HPM at Columbia from the ones you listed, and they'd email you first to schedule a talk. Still doesn't seem very common, and they could probably do it over Skype anyway.


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[eqn92]

hiii everyone! quick question-for anyone who's applying/applied to any of the UCs-whats the difference between the Statement of Purpose and Personal History and Diversity? Cutting it a little close here since the app is due in a few days!!

 

[sloth17]

hiii everyone! quick question-for anyone who's applying/applied to any of the UCs-whats the difference between the Statement of Purpose and Personal History and Diversity? Cutting it a little close here since the app is due in a few days!!

I believe the statement of purpose is your chance to talk about how your experiences tie in with your long-term goals, and why you are a good fit for your intended program. On the other hand, the personal history and diversity essay is about how your academic and personal background will help contribute to a diverse campus. By academic and personal background, this may include discussing personal hurdles such as a sub-par academic performance. Additionally, you can discuss your cultural upbringing, social challenges, personal achievements etc.

 

[eqn92]

I believe the statement of purpose is your chance to talk about how your experiences tie in with your long-term goals, and why you are a good fit for your intended program. On the other hand, the personal history and diversity essay is about how your academic and personal background will help contribute to a diverse campus. By academic and personal background, this may include discussing personal hurdles such as a sub-par academic performance. Additionally, you can discuss your cultural upbringing, social challenges, personal achievements etc.

Awesome! Thanks for your help 🙂 good luck to everyone applying this year!

 

[supercheeky13]

Does anyone know if the sending of GRE scores is immediate? ETS sent mine during the holiday, but I don't know how this works. Just want to make sure I get everything in, in time!

 

[CoolCole]

Undergrad School: Mid-Sized Southeastern STEM-focused Public University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.97
Major/Minor: Sociology/Biology
GRE: Verbal: 168; Quantitative: 154 :/; Writing: 4.5
Experience/Research: Two summer internships and one research class assisting with research on the social determinants of health and illness. Also my senior thesis focuses on factors affecting the well-being of queer and transgender people of color.

Interested in: Emory (MPH Epi), UAB (MPH Epi), Drexel (MPH Epi), UMass Amherst (M.S. Epi), and Georgia State (MPH Epi)
Applied: Emory (11/28), UAB (11/28), Drexel (11/28), UMass Amherst(12/2) Georgia State (12/15)
Accepted: UAB (12/22), Drexel (2/22), UMass (3/7), Emory (2/10)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

I applied and was verified today. I'm surprised at the turn-around time since SOPHAS said it could take up to 4 weeks.

 

[sloth17]

Does anyone know if the sending of GRE scores is immediate? ETS sent mine during the holiday, but I don't know how this works. Just want to make sure I get everything in, in time!

When did you take the GRE? The ETS website says it takes 10-15 days after the test date. I took mine back in August so my scores were received sooner than that time frame. I imagine there might be more traffic now, though.

 

[acdual]

Just got into Yale MPH - HCM program! I submitted/verified early Nov and I'm shocked that I heard back so early. I'm traveling now and can't figure out how to update my stats post, but it's on page 4. Let's see how everything else goes and good luck everyone!

 

[JaneReacher]

Congrats to everyone whose been accepted and good luck to those still waiting! Throwing my hat in the ring here:

Undergrad School: Public Ivy
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: SOPHAS: 3.4 (Upper Division 3.99); Major GPA 3.97
Major/Minor: Medical Anthropology/Human Rights
GradGPA (if applicable): N/A
Grad Studies (if applicable): N/A
GRE: 159Q (73rd percentile), 164V (94th percentile), Writing: 5.5 (98th percentile)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
1) Assistant and then project coordinator at school of public health
2) First author of peer-reviewed article (human rights related rather than public health)
3) Undergraduate honors research related to women's health in an underrepresented population
4) Non-health related work in a low-income country for 4 years

Special Factors: GPA dragged down by community college classes I didn't properly withdraw from due to a family emergency

Applied: Johns Hopkins (JD/MPH - 11/29; Verified 12/9; Complete 12/9; Accepted 2/16), Harvard (JD/MPH - HPM - 11/29; Verified 12/9; Received 12/13; Accepted 3/24), UC Berkeley (MPH - Epi - 11/29; Verified 12/9; Complete 1/17; Accepted 2/9) , UCLA (JD/MPH - Epi - 11/29; Verified 12/9; Received 12/15; Accepted 2/4) , Columbia (JD/MPH - Epi - 11/29; Verified 12/9; Complete 12/7; Accepted 2/8), Tulane (JD/MPH - CHS - 11/29; Verified 12/9; Complete 12/9; Accepted 12/19), Univ of Washington (MPH - Epi - 11/29; Confirmed 12/21; Accepted 2/9), Yale (JD/MPH - Chronic Disease Epi - 11/29; Verified 12/9; Received 12/12; Complete 12/18; Rejected 4/12), Emory (JD/MPH - Global Epi - 12/9; Received 12/28; Sent for Review 1/18; Accepted 2/1), Univ of Michigan (JD/MPH - HMP - 12/9; Received 12/19; Complete 12/19; Interviewed 1/10; Accepted 1/27), George Washington (JD/MPH - Global Epi - 12/9; Complete 12/15; Accepted 1/9), Boston U (JD/MPH - 12/9; Received 12/12; Complete 12/13); CUNY (MPH - Epi & Biostats - 1/12; Complete 1/19; Accepted 1/31), NYU (MPH - Epi 1/31; Complete 2/13; Accepted 3/3); UIC (MPH - Epi 1/31; Received 2/2; Accepted 2/21); WUSTL (MPH - Epi & Biostats 2/3; Under Review 2/10; Accepted 4/4)

Yes - that's a lot but I am not at all confident about my LSAT score!

Accepted: Tulane 12/19; GWU 1/9; U Michigan 1/27; CUNY 1/31; Emory 2/1; BU 2/3; UCLA 2/4; Columbia 2/8; University of Washington 2/9; UC Berkeley 2/9; Hopkins 2/16; UIC 2/21; NYU 3/3; Harvard 3/24; WUSTL 4/4
Rejected: Yale 4/12

 

[sojuhanjan]

Just got into Yale MPH - HCM program! I submitted/verified early Nov and I'm shocked that I heard back so early. I'm traveling now and can't figure out how to update my stats post, but it's on page 4. Let's see how everything else goes and good luck everyone!

I was wondering if you ever received an email from Yale saying your application was complete and the distance between the two? I was contacted that Yale receied my app from Sophas a couple weeks ago and then got one Monday that it was complete and being reviewed. Really hoping to hear soon seeing as they must be sending them out by now!

 

[CoolCole]

Does anyone know if the sending of GRE scores is immediate? ETS sent mine during the holiday, but I don't know how this works. Just want to make sure I get everything in, in time!

Scores aren't sent immediately. SOPHAS said that it takes like 10-15 business days but mine always arrived from ETS within a week.

 

[UNO_2017]

Hey everyone, so I applied to Tulane on October 7, verified November 2, I've noticed that some people have already heard back...starting to get worried! I've emailed their admissions office, but wondering if anyone else is still waiting to hear back from them???

 

[cestmoi92]

Undergrad School: University of Maryland
Undergrad Major: BSN
GPA:my overall GPA is a 3.2, my major GPA is a 3.1 (pretty low I know)
GRE: Verbal 158 Quantitative 151 Writing 4.0
Work Experience: RN almost 2yrs at Emory Univ Hospital on an acute care unit, i'm the co-chair of one committee on my unit
Research:
2 evidence based practice research projects to improve clinical outcomes for patients that were presented at a conference for Emory Healthcare in which one of the projects was implemented on my unit
Certifications:
HIV testing& counseling certified
Peritoneal dialysis certified
I'm currently studying for my HIV/AIDS Care Registered Nurse Certification (ACRN)
Internships:
2014 Interned with a large non-profit in DC& National 4H council and helped with strategic planning for international organizations . I also helped coordinate 2 fundraising events with members of congress.
2014 Interned with a health organization in Tanzania for 1 month and interned with another health organization in Haiti for 2 months
In 2013 I interned for a major clinic in Haiti and worked with nurses and other health care workers to improve their quality and delivery of care
In 2011 I interned for two hospitals in Haiti that were partners with USAID. I worked as a translator and also provided general care to patients with HIV/AIDS and TB
Extracurriculars:
Events and funding officer for Nurses for Global Health at my university and organized various events throughout campus including a major global health conference.
From 2010-2012 I was the events coordinator for the Caribbean Students Association at my university and organized various events throughout campus.

I'm planning on applying to dual MSN/MPH programs. For the MPH portion im looking to get into a program with a global health focus. I want to work in implementing HIV/AIDS infection prevention programs in developing countries. My GPA isn't great but i'm hoping my clinical background and experience makes up for it.

Applied: Emory, Yale, Johns Hopkins, NYU, maybe columbia
Accepted: N/A
Rejected: N/A
Waitlisted: N/A

Update: I changed up the schools I applied to- Emory,Yale,Hopkins,UPenn,Duke,Umiami
I found out last week I got accepted into Emory's MSN program which is ridiculously hard to get into so I'm expecting to be accepted into the MPH program as well since I applied for the dual degree
I also had an interview at UPenn and am waiting to see if I get accepted

 

[sweetmelody]

Accepted to OSU for MPH (PEP). If anyone else is doing this program would love to link up. I'm in Cbus.

Undergrad School: Univ of Virginia
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.1
Major/Minor: Spanish, chem minor, premed
GradGPA (if applicable): P/F
Grad Studies (if applicable): Northwestern Univ Feinberg School of Medicine
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): MCAT 2005
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
-1 month in Guatemala working with Transgender Sex workers during medical school
-1 month in Guatemala City doing Labor and Delivery during 3rd year OB/GYN residency
-1.5 months in New Delhi at AIIMS during medical school rotation on OB/GYN
-2 years paid as laboratory tech at JHU SOM in breast cancer research with 1 publication (between undergrad and med school)
-currently OB/GYN attending at OSUMC and Medical Director of teen pregnancy clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Special factors??? MD, African american, URM, 1st college graduate in family
Interested in: OSU (MPH-Program for Experienced Professionals) Faculty Tuition benefit at OSU= basically free MPH
Applied: OSU (received notification that application in review)
Accepted: OSU (11/29)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

 

[ally786]

Just took the GRE for the first time today and I got 147Q 155V. I guess my top choice Columbia is out of the question now. It also looks like other than USF and NYU the other schools are going to be a reach too. I am going to try to take GRE again and focus on the Q score but I don't think it will make a great difference. I am extremely disappointed. Any recommendations on more feasible schools and increasing my Q scores would be much appreciated

Undergrad School: University of South Florida
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.78/ 3.82
Major: Public Health
GradGPA (if applicable): N/A
Grad Studies (if applicable): N/A
GRE (including date taken): N/A (haven’t taken it yet)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
Honors College Student/ Wrote an Honors thesis regarding mental health of refugees
Tutoring refugee children
President of a Public health/ International studies campus organization for over a year.
Presented research on mapping mental health resources in the Bay area.
Spent two weeks volunteering in Pisac, Peru
One month study aboard in London

Interested in: Columbia: Population & Family Health, U Washington: GH- Leadership, Policy, and Management, USF: Global Health Practice, NYU: Community & International Health, George Washington: Global Health Policy and Emory.
Applied: Columbia: Population & Family Health and U Washington: GH
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

Do you guys think I am aiming too high? I only applied to USF for Undergrad and I was planning on doing the same for grad. But I don’t want to have any regrets about not trying. My top choice is Columbia. However, I don't have work experience in the Public Health field.

I just started studying for the GRE and I am really worried that I won’t do well on it. I am taking it for the first time in early November and the application deadline for 3 of those universities is December 1st. I already know that my qualitative score isn’t going to be good. Any recommendations/advice about GRE prep would be must appreciated. .

 

[sloth17]

Just took the GRE for the first time today and I got 147Q 155V. I guess my top choice Columbia is out of the question now. It also looks like other than USF and NYU the other schools are going to be a reach too. I am going to try to take GRE again and focus on the Q score but I don't think it will make a great difference. I am extremely disappointed. Any recommendations on more feasible schools and increasing my Q scores would be much appreciated

I really don't think you should rule out Columbia, and here's why: you have a terrific GPA, and it looks like your experiences are impressive too. While a poor GRE score can hurt, you don't seem to be deficient anywhere else. Work on writing an excellent statement of purpose and getting strong LORs, since these do have a significant impact on your application. Although you are disappointed right now, don't lose hope! If you really feel a need to do so, I would add 1-2 safety schools (I'm applying for Epi, so I don't know which schools are good for population health unfortunately). The GRE is definitely important, but it's also one aspect of your entire application.

As for improving your quantitative score, I can send over a PDF which I found helpful. It helped me understand each type of question asked on the quantitative section, and provides plenty of practice problems. Let me know if you're interested!

 

[eqn92]

does anyone recommend safety schools that I should apply to for HPM? My gpa is on the lower side so I just want to be safe!

 

[625233]

does anyone recommend safety schools that I should apply to for HPM? My gpa is on the lower side so I just want to be safe!

What's your GPA and GRE?


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[eqn92]

What's your GPA and GRE?


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GPA is ~3.1 and GRE is 155V, 160Q and 4.5 W

 

[625233]

GPA is ~3.1 and GRE is 155V, 160Q and 4.5 W

It's a little on the low side, but your GRE quant is very good. I wouldn't worry too much, but you can always throw in a couple of safeties if you have the money. Maybe Tulane and GWU? Best bang for your buck -77% acceptance and 58% acceptance rate respectively.


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[eqn92]

It's a little on the low side, but your GRE quant is very good. I wouldn't worry too much, but you can always throw in a couple of safeties if you have the money. Maybe Tulane and GWU? Best bang for your buck -77% acceptance and 58% acceptance rate respectively.


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Are there any in California you might suggest?

 

[625233]

Are there any in California you might suggest?

I'm sorry, I can find your original post where you listed the school your applying to, and ur ECs. I can give you better advice with that info.


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[eqn92]

I'm sorry, I can find your original post where you listed the school your applying to, and ur ECs. I can give you better advice with that info.


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Sure!

Undergrad School: UCLA
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.11
Major/Minor: Psychobiology
GradGPA (if applicable): n/a
Grad Studies (if applicable): n/a
GRE 160Q, 155V, 4.5W
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
2 years clinical research at Cedars Sinai in LA
1.5 year working as a medical assistant
Leadership and active roles in various on campus organizations

Interested in: Health Policy and Management
Applied: UCLA, UCB, Yale, GW, SDSU, Columbia

 

[sokapheapluuh]

Hi everyone! So glad I found this. I'm nervous about my GPA, but luckily I did quite well on the GRE. Please tell me if I'm aiming too high!

Undergrad School: University of Southern California
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.4 (from USC, but on SOPHAS it's a 3.45 because I did some Pre-Med Post-Bacc work before leaving for Peace Corps)
Major/Minor: double major in Gender Studies and English, Creative Writing, with a minor in Human Rights
GradGPA (if applicable): N/A
Grad Studies (if applicable): Pre-Med Post-Bacc (so I took Bio 1&2 (Bio 1 in the honors college - and I got an A! Got a B in Bio 2 non-honors because i don't do well with big lectures... i'm a small class kind of person), Chem 1&2 (both of these in the honors college at the university (not USC)), and Physics (Calc-based) 1&2, plus Calc 1 and Gen Psych)
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): Q:164 (87%) / V:163(92%) / AW: 6.0 (99%)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 years of Peace Corps as a Health Education Volunteer, with an extra year in my country of service, but non-PC work
- currently doing 1 year of AmeriCorps VISTA with the focus of Healthy Futures (working with the justice-involved population a lot, as well as other stuff)
- 2 months in Tanzania teaching about HIV and Reproductive Health
- 1 year in a Doula Fellowship (trying to figure out if I wanted to be a doctor, a nurse, or a midwife)
- 1 year as an Abortion Doula
- 1 year as an online Rape Crisis Counselor with RAINN
- Just got finished training and had my first shift as an online crisis counselor for another platform
- Currently going through the IRB process to be added to a research study involving post-natal outcomes of refugee women
- 1 year as a mentor for WYSE (women and youth supporting each other - we taught middle schools girls about drugs, sex, self-esteem, etc)
- 1 school year as a Sex Ed intern with Planned Parenthood
- 1 semester as an intern with SIECUS
- ~1 year of volunteering with AIDS Healthcare Foundation at their mobile outreach unit
- 1.5 years volunteering with an AIDS org in my home county while waiting to hear back from Peace Corps
- Was selected to be on an MTV alternative spring break show after Hurricane Sandy [i think i forgot to mention this in my application, now that i'm really thinking about it]
- at this point, i'm sure there's stuff I'm forgetting... really I just love to volunteer, and I love health-related things
- also, lots and lots and lots of non-health related teaching and tutoring experience, in all sorts of different subjects
Special factors???
- Went through a lot in college (some really, really hard times), hence the low GPA. I also worked 20 hours a week throughout to help pay for my sorority membership and other incidentals. Didn't include either of this in the app because it just sounds like excuses :-/

Interested in: Health Promotion/Health Behavior, Community Health Sciences, anything having to do with the Social Determinants of Health
Applied: Harvard, Hopkins, Columbia, UCLA, NYU Cross-Continental, IU-Bloomington, University of Arizona, UMich, Emory, UNC (I definitely applied to too many but I didn't think I had a good chance with my GPA... I was obviously wrong. Imposter syndrome strikes again!)
Accepted: IU - Bloomington (12/20), HOPKINS!! (12/30)
Rejected: ???
Waitlisted: ???

My main concern is less with getting in, and more with getting funding. I can't really afford to take out anymore loans (yay USC for undergrad!), so I'm hoping to get 75% or more funded (somehow!). What do you all think? Too many reaches? How has the funding situation been in years passed? ... I've searched but haven't found too much.

 

[625233]

Sure!

Undergrad School: UCLA
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.11
Major/Minor: Psychobiology
GradGPA (if applicable): n/a
Grad Studies (if applicable): n/a
GRE 160Q, 155V, 4.5W
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
2 years clinical research at Cedars Sinai in LA
1.5 year working as a medical assistant
Leadership and active roles in various on campus organizations

Interested in: Health Policy and Management
Applied: UCLA, UCB, Yale, GW, SDSU, Columbia

UCLA for undergrad will carry weight, as it's generally considered a deflationary school (hard to get good grades). I think you're good for SDSU and GWU, and hopefully UCLA should show some love. You still have a shot at Yale and Columbia though, I've seen people get into both with similar or worst stats. You could add some others if you'd like: UC Davis, and UC Irvine. I don't think you need to dip lower to be honest.


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[625233]

Hi everyone! So glad I found this. I'm nervous about my GPA, but luckily I did quite well on the GRE. Please tell me if I'm aiming too high!

Undergrad School: University of Southern California
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.4 (from USC, but on SOPHAS it's a 3.45 because I did some Pre-Med Post-Bacc work before leaving for Peace Corps)
Major/Minor: double major in Gender Studies and English, Creative Writing, with a minor in Human Rights
GradGPA (if applicable): N/A
Grad Studies (if applicable): Pre-Med Post-Bacc (so I took Bio 1&2 (Bio 1 in the honors college - and I got an A! Got a B in Bio 2 non-honors because i don't do well with big lectures... i'm a small class kind of person), Chem 1&2 (both of these in the honors college at the university (not USC)), and Physics (Calc-based) 1&2, plus Calc 1 and Gen Psych)
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): Q:164 (87%) / V:163(92%) / AW: 6.0 (99%)
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 years of Peace Corps as a Health Education Volunteer, with an extra year in my country of service, but non-PC work
- currently doing 1 year of AmeriCorps VISTA with the focus of Healthy Futures (working with the justice-involved population a lot, as well as other stuff)
- 2 months in Tanzania teaching about HIV and Reproductive Health
- 1 year in a Doula Fellowship (trying to figure out if I wanted to be a doctor, a nurse, or a midwife)
- 1 year as an Abortion Doula
- 1 year as an online Rape Crisis Counselor with RAINN
- Just got finished training and had my first shift as an online crisis counselor for another platform
- Currently going through the IRB process to be added to a research study involving post-natal outcomes of refugee women
- 1 year as a mentor for WYSE (women and youth supporting each other - we taught middle schools girls about drugs, sex, self-esteem, etc)
- 1 school year as a Sex Ed intern with Planned Parenthood
- 1 semester as an intern with SIECUS
- ~1 year of volunteering with AIDS Healthcare Foundation at their mobile outreach unit
- 1.5 years volunteering with an AIDS org in my home county while waiting to hear back from Peace Corps
- Was selected to be on an MTV alternative spring break show after Hurricane Sandy [i think i forgot to mention this in my application, now that i'm really thinking about it]
- at this point, i'm sure there's stuff I'm forgetting... really I just love to volunteer, and I love health-related things
- also, lots and lots and lots of non-health related teaching and tutoring experience, in all sorts of different subjects
Special factors???
- Went through a lot in college (some really, really hard times), hence the low GPA. I also worked 20 hours a week throughout to help pay for my sorority membership and other incidentals. Didn't include either of this in the app because it just sounds like excuses :-/

Interested in: Health Promotion/Health Behavior, Community Health Sciences, anything having to do with the Social Determinants of Health
Applying: NYU Cross-Continental, IU-Bloomington, University of Arizona, UMich, Emory
Maybes: UNC, SDSU, Temple, Rutgers
Applied: Harvard, Hopkins, Columbia, UCLA (still have to do the supplemental)
Accepted: ???
Rejected: ???
Waitlisted: ???

My main concern is less with getting in, and more with getting funding. I can't really afford to take out anymore loans (yay USC for undergrad!), so I'm hoping to get 75% or more funded (somehow!). What do you all think? Too many reaches? How has the funding situation been in years passed? ... I've searched but haven't found too much.

Assuming you finish up with your "applying" list, you have plenty of safeties. You'll get into some great schools, and you might be able to leverage one school for another once your financial package comes in. Columbia seems to appreciate high GRE scores, so you have a shot their for a nice merit scholarship (maybe 25-75). NYU will almost certainly give you the max of 24k annually, still comes out to be a pricey school. Hopkins is parsimonious towards MPH applicants, MSPH applicant get 1/2 tuition their second year. You might get a nice package from Mich or UAB. Just don't be afraid to leverage schools when the time comes.


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[eqn92]

UCLA for undergrad will carry weight, as it's generally considered a deflationary school (hard to get good grades). I think you're good for SDSU and GWU, and hopefully UCLA should show some love. You still have a shot at Yale and Columbia though, I've seen people get into both with similar or worst stats. You could add some others if you'd like: UC Davis, and UC Irvine. I don't think you need to dip lower to be honest.


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thanks so much for your advice! I looked at UCI but they didnt have HPM and im still considering Davis!

 

[sd789]

Undergrad School: International
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.83
Major/Minor: Sociology
GradGPA (if applicable): 3.87
GRE: V 158, Q153, A 4
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
- 2 years at global health nonprofit in US
- 1.5 years in various nonprofits in home country

Interested in: Global Health; Health Policy and Management
Applied: JHU (soon), UMN (11/18), GWU (11/02), BU (11/18), CSPH (11/26), Drexel (11/27)
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:

Tried to apply to a good combination of safety and reach schools. Only thing that concerns me are my GRE scores.
Also, question for any international applicant out there, how long after WES sends the e-report that SOPHAS updates it in the application? My WES evaluation is complete but I am waiting on SOPHAS to update it. Hope I make it before the UMN Dec 1 deadline.

 

[625233]

Just got into Yale MPH - HCM program! I submitted/verified early Nov and I'm shocked that I heard back so early. I'm traveling now and can't figure out how to update my stats post, but it's on page 4. Let's see how everything else goes and good luck everyone!

Yale is one of my top choices, do you mind sharing your GPA and GRE scores?


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[misosoup1]

Hi,

Undergrad School: UCLA
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.1
Major/Minor: Psychology

GRE - 152V 153Q 4 Writing
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
1.5 years of research coordinator at UCLA School of Nursing
1.5 years of research admin at UCLA School of Medicine
Special factors- my current employer is a internationally well known physician and she's also a Harvard alumni.

I was able to get really strong LORs. 1- from psych professor, 2- former dean of school of nursing, 3-current employer, chief of a medical department.
However, my GPA and GRE are very low. The next available GRE date is 12/22. Should I just re-take it again and report it?

Interested in: Global Health; Health Policy
Applied : JHU and Harvard..

Thanks!

 

[625233]

Hi,

Undergrad School: UCLA
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.1
Major/Minor: Psychology

GRE - 152V 153Q 4 Writing
Experience/Research (please, be brief):
1.5 years of research coordinator at UCLA School of Nursing
1.5 years of research admin at UCLA School of Medicine
Special factors- my current employer is a internationally well known physician and she's also a Harvard alumni.

I was able to get really strong LORs. 1- from psych professor, 2- former dean of school of nursing, 3-current employer, chief of a medical department.
However, my GPA and GRE are very low. The next available GRE date is 12/22. Should I just re-take it again and report it?

Interested in: Global Health; Health Policy
Applied : JHU and Harvard..

Thanks!

I strongly recommend you add a few safety schools. You have a shot at JHU, but Harvard..you're stats and ECs are well below the median accepted applicant. You can retake if you think you'll do better, but if you apply right, you'll get into a couple schools.


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[misosoup1]

I strongly recommend you add a few safety schools. You have a shot at JHU, but Harvard..you're stats and ECs are well below the median accepted applicant. You can retake if you think you'll do better, but if you apply right, you'll get into a couple schools.


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Thank you so much for your reply. Would it be ok to just report my new GRE score after their deadline? Harvard specifically told me the last test date they will accept is 12/15 🙁.

 

[625233]

Thank you so much for your reply. Would it be ok to just report my new GRE score after their deadline? Harvard specifically told me the last test date they will accept is 12/15 🙁.

Absolutely! A lot of schools won't even begin reviewing applications until late December/early January. You come from a great undergrad, and have good enough stats to get into a few top schools. Try UMich, UCLA, and a couple others out.


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