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

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ellb39 said:
So it seems like it's so far been a trickle of Harvard decisions in various departments. Is there anyone else who applied who has not yet heard back? Just attempting to assess how likely it is having not yet heard back = rejection. I realize this isn't really a true or reliable measure - just curious.
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I applied to HSB and still haven't heard. It's not my number one so I'm not that worried about it but it's the only school I haven't heard from and I'm ready to get this phase of the process over.
 
Today I received an email from UC Berkeley offering me a $200 travel credit to attend their Spring Visit day. Unfortunately, I cannot attend because I am working in Spain at the moment. Did anyone else receive this generous offer? Also, anyone heard from either UCLA or UC Berkeley about financial aid information (scholarships, loans, etc.) Lastly, does anyone know what the GPA cut off is for merit-based scholarships? And if so, is it the cumulative GPA or last two years? Good luck to all of you and your MPH of choice! 😀
 
ellb39 said:
Which program in health services did you apply to?
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I applied to SBS!

Edit: to be clear though, the email did not mention anything about the concentration I chose. It only mentioned the health services dept.
 
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jmc525 said:
Did anyone get an email from Hopkins about logging into SIS and completing the Public Health Student Aid Application? I don't even know how to fill out the first question - halp! 🙁
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The purpose of this application is so they can determine how much in federal loans you will need, which depends on how many credits you are taking in the 2017-2018 school year as the fees are largely on a per credit system. As a MPH student you must complete at least 80 credits, so on average, 16 credits per term (5 terms total). If you're a MSPH, meh-you're asking the wrong person hahah.

I know they ask a lot about outside funding sources i.e. your employer, particular questions pertinent to MD residents-if you don't know what it is, it probably does not apply to you.

Anything else unclear about it? I already filled it out.
 
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eek_ said:
The purpose of this application is so they can determine how much in federal loans you will need, which depends on how many credits you are taking in the 2017-2017 school year as the fees are largely on a per credit system. As a MPH student you must complete at least 80 credits, so on average, 16 credits per term (5 terms total). If you're a MSPH, meh-you're asking the wrong person hahah.

I know they ask a lot about outside funding sources i.e. your employer, particular questions pertinent to MD residents-if you don't know what it is, it probably does not apply to you.

Anything else unclear about it? I already filled it out.
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How do you know how many credits you are going to be taking each term though? Have you already planned out your schedule? Or did you just end up putting 16 for each term? Thanks in advance for your help! 🙂
 
jmc525 said:
How do you know how many credits you are going to be taking each term though? Have you already planned out your schedule? Or did you just end up putting 16 for each term? Thanks in advance for your help! 🙂
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I'm a bit type A and already planned out my entire year haha. But you can probably just put 16.
 
ellb39 said:
So it seems like it's so far been a trickle of Harvard decisions in various departments. Is there anyone else who applied who has not yet heard back? Just attempting to assess how likely it is having not yet heard back = rejection. I realize this isn't really a true or reliable measure - just curious.
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I also have not heard back. ~Dec 1st application for HPM.
 
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I feel pretty conflicted after getting into UW. I really don't want to go there because I went for undergrad and I want to go elsewhere, but it's really hard to ignore the fact it'll only cost me 20k a year, I can stay in the same city, easily keep my car, and continue to live with my significant other.

Anyone have any advice on how to just suck it up and be okay with change and higher loan amounts?
 
seeseeb said:
I feel pretty conflicted after getting into UW. I really don't want to go there because I went for undergrad and I want to go elsewhere, but it's really hard to ignore the fact it'll only cost me 20k a year, I can stay in the same city, easily keep my car, and continue to live with my significant other.

Anyone have any advice on how to just suck it up and be okay with change and higher loan amounts?
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If you won't be happy going to UW, then don't go. Graduate school isn't just a financial investment; it's also a personal one. Do you see UW taking you where you want to go? I see from your signature that you were accepted to Hopkins and Columbia, so congrats! Both are fantastic schools, and can really take your career to new heights. Keep in mind that by changing schools, you'll be able to expand your network, which will undoubtedly be of great value when looking for jobs. Paying off loans will be a pain (I'll be doing it too), but you also don't want to regret missing out on such a great opportunity.
 
seeseeb said:
I feel pretty conflicted after getting into UW. I really don't want to go there because I went for undergrad and I want to go elsewhere, but it's really hard to ignore the fact it'll only cost me 20k a year, I can stay in the same city, easily keep my car, and continue to live with my significant other.

Anyone have any advice on how to just suck it up and be okay with change and higher loan amounts?
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I suggest first calculating what your loan repayment would be if you went to UW vs going elsewhere (let's say Columbia or Emory?) https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/mobile/repayment/repaymentEstimator.action.

If, upon calculating the fees, you know the amount of loans at the other schools are prohibitively expensive, you have your answer. If, however, you are okay with this amount and think that you can manage to pay back your loans (for about 20 years), then it starts to get more challenging. In that case, I would make pro and con lists at each university you are considering attending, but I wouldn't treat each pro and each con equally. I would "weigh" them based on their importance to you.

In other words, you don't just select University X because it has the most pros and the fewest cons, but rather, because the the pros it has (or the cons to some extent) are the most significant and important drivers in your decision. Hope that helps!
 
eek_ said:
I suggest first calculating what your loan repayment would be if you went to UW vs going elsewhere (let's say Columbia or Emory?) https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/mobile/repayment/repaymentEstimator.action.

If, upon calculating the fees, you know the amount of loans at the other schools are prohibitively expensive, you have your answer. If, however, you are okay with this amount and think that you can manage to pay back your loans (for about 20 years), then it starts to get more challenging. In that case, I would make pro and con lists at each university you are considering attending, but I wouldn't treat each pro and each con equally. I would "weigh" them based on their importance to you.

In other words, you don't just select University X because it has the most pros and the fewest cons, but rather, because the the pros it has (or the cons to some extent) are the most significant and important drivers in your decision. Hope that helps!
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To add onto this, if you @seeseeb (or anyone) wants the Excel sheet I made to make this pro/con-by-importance process quantitative, let me know via PM. I have it set up so that you make categories (ie., program reputation, tuition, support network, etc), then rate on a 1-10 scale how important each category is, then give each school a 1-5 rating for each category. It will spit out an average for each school on the 1-5 scale that's weighed by the importance rating. And it's color coded! I've found it enormously helpful for my peace of mind but I totally get that not everyone makes decisions this way.

Basically-- if having an adventure and attending a big-name program are more important to you than the stability of staying at UW/in Seattle and avoiding the debt, then let yourself be okay with having those values and go to JHU/Columbia/wherever. With the choices you have, you will get the most out of whichever experience you can commit to enjoying.
 
wwmmkk said:
To add onto this, if you @seeseeb (or anyone) wants the Excel sheet I made to make this pro/con-by-importance process quantitative, let me know via PM. I have it set up so that you make categories (ie., program reputation, tuition, support network, etc), then rate on a 1-10 scale how important each category is, then give each school a 1-5 rating for each category. It will spit out an average for each school on the 1-5 scale that's weighed by the importance rating. And it's color coded! I've found it enormously helpful for my peace of mind but I totally get that not everyone makes decisions this way.

Basically-- if having an adventure and attending a big-name program are more important to you than the stability of staying at UW/in Seattle and avoiding the debt, then let yourself be okay with having those values and go to JHU/Columbia/wherever. With the choices you have, you will get the most out of whichever experience you can commit to enjoying.
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I have to say, I'm really glad I'm not the only one who did this. And I second this! If the debt won't make you anxious, go for it! Speaking from personal experience, debt gives me stomach aches so I'll probably going with the school that makes the best financial sense for me, among other things.
 
Thank you @sloth17 @wwmmkk @eek_ and @sokapheapluuh. I think I just needed some reassurance. I have a lot of things to weigh, and I always value ideas/opinions from everyone on this thread! I think I've pretty much accepted the higher debt for a change of pace/scenery. I think debt gives me a gut wrenching stomach ache as well, which is what makes should be an easy option for me so difficult!
 
Hello guys,
I need some help. So basically I got admitted to the cardiovascular epidemiology program at Harvard. However, my interest in life has changed drastically and I plan to pursue a career in cancer later on. There is a cancer epidemiology program at Harvard. Do you think it is feasible to submit a petition and transfer to that program? Or is it impossible?
Thank you
 
wwmmkk said:
To add onto this, if you @seeseeb (or anyone) wants the Excel sheet I made to make this pro/con-by-importance process quantitative, let me know via PM. I have it set up so that you make categories (ie., program reputation, tuition, support network, etc), then rate on a 1-10 scale how important each category is, then give each school a 1-5 rating for each category. It will spit out an average for each school on the 1-5 scale that's weighed by the importance rating. And it's color coded! I've found it enormously helpful for my peace of mind but I totally get that not everyone makes decisions this way.

Basically-- if having an adventure and attending a big-name program are more important to you than the stability of staying at UW/in Seattle and avoiding the debt, then let yourself be okay with having those values and go to JHU/Columbia/wherever. With the choices you have, you will get the most out of whichever experience you can commit to enjoying.
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I PM'd for the spreadsheet (thank you!!!), but I'm also wondering if anyone has done, or can point me to, a semi-rigorous comparison of job placement stats from top schools? The data is sometimes hard to find, or not present on the website at all.

Honestly all comparison information or help anyone can point me to is welcome. I know the USNews ratings are junk, for the most part. I'm kind of a data nerd and also have a bad habit of agonizing over decisions, so the next couple months are going to be...interesting.
 
Just curious, how old is everyone in here?

I am 30 and began college late in life compared to most, thanks to being active duty.
 
granville said:
I PM'd for the spreadsheet (thank you!!!), but I'm also wondering if anyone has done, or can point me to, a semi-rigorous comparison of job placement stats from top schools? The data is sometimes hard to find, or not present on the website at all.

Honestly all comparison information or help anyone can point me to is welcome. I know the USNews ratings are junk, for the most part. I'm kind of a data nerd and also have a bad habit of agonizing over decisions, so the next couple months are going to be...interesting.
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Appx. 98% employment for Columbia grads. A break down of the numbers and industries is here:

https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/become-student/career-services/facts-and-figures

This is information that should be readily available to prospective students. Be wary of schools that do not disclose such information.
 
bender18 said:
Just curious, how old is everyone in here?

I am 30 and began college late in life compared to most, thanks to being active duty.
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26, but 5 years teaching in urban schools currently has me feeling like I'm 45. I think MPH programs have a pretty wide age spread since there's traditionally aged students fresh from undergrad to, like, MDs pretty far along in their careers. But this forum I think has way more of the former than the latter. I've seen students' median age published on some program's sites, and iirc it's usually late twenties/early thirties.

Edit: After reading others' answers I feel compelled to add that I also already have a Masters (in education) but idk if I'm really "switching fields" because there are so many overlaps between what I do now as a health teacher and what I will likely do with my MPH in behavioral/community health.
 
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bender18 said:
Just curious, how old is everyone in here?

I am 30 and began college late in life compared to most, thanks to being active duty.
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I'm 27. I got the impression that public health tends to span a broad range of ages and experiences - hopefully that's the case!
 
I'm 22! worked for a year internationally in public health and I know I'm a bit young, but need an advanced degree for a lot of the jobs im aiming for (UN type jobs!)
 
I'm 21. I graduared last spring and am wrapping up a year dedicated to (exhausting) direct service work before matriculating. I am getting my masters early so that I don't have to work in direct service type work anymore, because I was just not built for it!
 
i'm 24 and pretty sure i wouldn't have gotten in anywhere had i applied straight out of undergrad
 
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I'm 24 and two years out of college. I was planning to get my MPH after two years of working so I'm glad it worked out 🙂
 
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26. I took sometime off from school to work full-time since I decided to switch career paths (From History to Epi/Biostat). It worked out in the end, as I gained work experience at the university I'll likely attend. Plus, I took a few classes while I worked as well, which I can apply towards my degree. (Yay employee tuition remission!)
 
24 here. Can't imagine going straight from undergrad to grad school...I matured a lot in terms of organization and work ethic after working for two years.

I have heard it' ssomewhat harder for people who haven't worked full time to get a job after grad school, or at least a position that is higher up in responsibility. Just my two cents! Do be careful with loans as well.
 
bender18 said:
Just curious, how old is everyone in here?

I am 30 and began college late in life compared to most, thanks to being active duty.
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elessien said:
I'm 28, already have a Master's but I decided I want to change fields!
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Me too...31, already have a Master's, but decided I want to change fields.
 
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late_apply said:
24 here. Can't imagine going straight from undergrad to grad school...I matured a lot in terms of organization and work ethic after working for two years.

I have heard it' ssomewhat harder for people who haven't worked full time to get a job after grad school, or at least a position that is higher up in responsibility. Just my two cents! Do be careful with loans as well.
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I went straight from undergrad to grad school, but I was also working full-time while getting my bachelor's. I feel like most people who make similar comments about not taking a break to work between a bachelors and masters don't take into consideration students with non-traditional backgrounds which actually makes up a large proportion of people who go into public health, in my opinion.
 
I'm 24. I'm in the facebook groups for two of my schools and it seems be a range of ages. I was originally set on the MPH at JHU which required two years of work and during my undergrad job search I noticed most jobs were saying "MPH + 1-2 years exp or Bachelor's + 3-5 years". I was also applying to the PHAP fellowship at the time and the consensus was that most of the master's students w/o experience weren't able to get the jobs they wanted so they advised entering the workforce first. We all move at our own pace!
 
amm13d said:
I went straight from undergrad to grad school, but I was also working full-time while getting my bachelor's. I feel like most people who make similar comments about not taking a break to work between a bachelors and masters don't take into consideration students with non-traditional backgrounds which actually makes up a large proportion of people who go into public health, in my opinion.
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Actually, most students who had to work full time in undergrad then go on to work full time afterwards. Of course there are exceptions, but if you're working so hard to pay for college you'll probably want to to pay off remaining student loans with a full time job. Getting even more education and taking on even more loans is a pretty big burden. There is a reason several programs and departments won't accept students without two or more years of work experience.
 
MPHmasterjuve said:
Hello guys,
I need some help. So basically I got admitted to the cardiovascular epidemiology program at Harvard. However, my interest in life has changed drastically and I plan to pursue a career in cancer later on. There is a cancer epidemiology program at Harvard. Do you think it is feasible to submit a petition and transfer to that program? Or is it impossible?
Thank you
Click to expand...

Well, you could certainly try, and explain why your focus has changed, but they generally do not let you switch. My husband applied to Global Health, but changed his mind and wanted to switch to Health Policy. They insisted that his personal statement and everything on his application showed fit for Global Health, and to just stick it out. It is very customizable anyway, so he ended up taking all of his electives in Kennedy School of Government, essentially getting what he wanted out of it. Hope that helps.
 
I'm 21, in my last semester of undergrad!
Most of the **paid** public health positions I was interested in required a Master's or were restricted to MPH candidates ]:
But I have part time experience (not in PH though) and currently have a PH unpaid internship.
 
late_apply said:
Actually, most students who had to work full time in undergrad then go on to work full time afterwards. Of course there are exceptions, but if you're working so hard to pay for college you'll probably want to to pay off remaining student loans with a full time job. Getting even more education and taking on even more loans is a pretty big burden. There is a reason several programs and departments won't accept students without two or more years of work experience.
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I see what you're saying regarding loans, but that doesn't really address what @amm13d said about non-traditional backgrounds. There are a lot of people who don't have an undergraduate degree in public health, which makes it difficult to gain relevant full-time work experience. Of course, working full time has its benefits in terms of finances and overall maturity. However, there are also plenty who achieve success who come straight from undergrad. Ultimately, everyone's situation is different.
 
sloth17 said:
I see what you're saying regarding loans, but that doesn't really address what @amm13d said about non-traditional backgrounds. There are a lot of people who don't have an undergraduate degree in public health, which makes it difficult to gain relevant full-time work experience. Of course, working full time has its benefits in terms of finances and overall maturity. However, there are also plenty who achieve success who come straight from undergrad. Ultimately, everyone's situation is different.
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If by non-traditional you mean people who haven't worked/majored in public health, I completely agree. I would even recommend against majoring in public health as an undergrad and then continuing on to a public health grad school- you are seriously limiting your options. I also agree with you that everyone's situation is different. However, I am advising against spending two years in grad school just to obtain an entry level position/salary that you could've gotten after undergrad. And it's hard to know that unless you've worked or applied to jobs.
 
late_apply said:
However, I am advising against spending two years in grad school just to obtain an entry level position/salary that you could've gotten after undergrad. And it's hard to know that unless you've worked or applied to jobs.
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I'm currently wrapping up undergrad and will be 22 when I matriculate. Applied to programs in the fall but also spent a lot of time/effort/blood/sweat/tears applying for full-time employment at the same time (October-January). I figured I'd cast a very wide net with both--if I got a decent full-time job, I'd consider continuing that for a few years before grad school, especially if financial aid/scholarships are meager. If full-time employment didn't pan out, then I'd hopefully have a decent grad school option. As of right now, I'm going for the latter.

YMMV, but for me, most jobs in public health stipulated a master's degree as a minimum qualification, so I couldn't even get my foot in the door for an interview. Even entry-level research-assistant type jobs at the local health department passed me over for applicants with master's degrees. It was brutal. I'm currently juggling 3 part-time jobs, 2 of which I could have done even without a bachelor's. It's been pretty humbling but I'm glad to go into grad school knowing that it's the right choice for me if I want any opportunities in the future. I have had enough public health experience & education to know that my career goals will require at LEAST a master's degree, if not also a PhD (much) later down the road. So, I figure if I'm going to do it eventually, might as well be now.

Sorry for the very long-winded rambly post, but I'm seeing a little bit of negativity directed toward those applying straight from undergrad and wanted to give my perspective on it.

tl;dr: Master's degree is the new bachelor's, and the current job market is a hellscape where I live.
 
late_apply said:
If by non-traditional you mean people who haven't worked/majored in public health, I completely agree. I would even recommend against majoring in public health as an undergrad and then continuing on to a public health grad school- you are seriously limiting your options. I also agree with you that everyone's situation is different. However, I am advising against spending two years in grad school just to obtain an entry level position/salary that you could've gotten after undergrad. And it's hard to know that unless you've worked or applied to jobs.
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Hm, I see how you could've interpreted that differently than I intended. I was trying to explain that not everyone who is an undergraduate student is the stereotypical undergrad kid you see portrayed in a movie haha. I could have easily acquired a full-time job after getting my bachelor's because I have plenty of full-time, relevant work experience - experience that I acquired while getting my bachelor's because of financial necessity. I chose to go to grad school partially because one of my employers at the time said that I could return to my job with a higher salary and better title if I got a master's degree, not because I wanted to "obtain an entry level position" due to lack of experience. I have seen many students on this forum who have had similar circumstances, thus not every student who enters grad school right after earning their bachelor's is inexperienced and/or naive.
 
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