MPH Fall 2018: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected!

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puripallavi said:
Hi all,
I am still so bummed by the rejection email from Columbia. That was my dream school. I got through Boston +20k and Emory. Should I drop a year to try again for Columbia or is Boston and/or Emory almost as good as Columbia?
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I think you should determine whether you want to go to Emory or BU, and go to whichever you decide. After all, you wouldn't have wasted money applying to those two schools if Columbia was the only school you would consider attending, right? Congrats on getting into 2 great schools!
 
kcarlson518 said:
What is the addendum?! When I emailed my department about funding (as their acceptance email said to do), the person that responded to me literally said they were new and they didn't know!
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My program manager also said nothing about it! I just happened to come across it while scouring the website for information on funding.

SDN won't let me post links since I'm a new user 🙁 but if you go to Tulane's financial aid forms site, you'll find a form called "2018-2019 School of Public Health Addendum (for graduate-level students only)"
 
Pudu2009 said:
I think you should determine whether you want to go to Emory or BU, and go to whichever you decide. After all, you wouldn't have wasted money applying to those two schools if Columbia was the only school you would consider attending, right? Congrats on getting into 2 great schools!
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Thank you!! Really appreciate your advice. Hmm you are right. I have applied for Behavioural Sciences, and I am trying to search more on which school is better for this department. What do you think?
 
I am still waiting on Harvard and Brown, but for now I am deciding between Berkeley and LSHTM. (MPH and MSc both in Epi)
Does anyone have any insights on these two programs? I haven't seen many people talk about LSHTM on this forum as it is a UK school.
I am an IMG from Asia, so location doesn't matter so much. I want to pursue my PhD after graduation.
 
MarcusAureliusAntoninus said:
I know this is kind of a not too popular thing to say considering how many people would wish to be in my shoes with all these schools acceptances, and I'm grateful for them, but looking back I can't help regretting sending out so many applications and spending so much on app/GRE fees lol. I was so afraid of the whole thing I feel like I kinda over compensated by applying to so many schools...
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I'm 100% with you.

There aren't that many good resources for applying to graduate school, especially for public health - this forum being one of the only ones. With college, you kind of know where you stand - what schools would be a reach, which ones you have a pretty good chance of getting into, and which ones are "safeties". For these applications, I had literally no idea what schools my profile would be appropriate for and was sincerely worried about not getting into a single school because I'd shot too high. I also think that admissions committees tend to be more secretive about acceptance statistics, probably because they don't want to dissuade any applicants. I don't blame them - it advantages them to get more applicants - but it did make the whole "deciding where to apply" thing very confusing.

For future applicants, once we've received all of our decisions, it might be nice to post a master list of our student profiles and what our acceptances looked like. I know that that's captured over multiple pages of this forum, but it might be better if it's all in once place.
 
Plainusername1 said:
My program manager also said nothing about it! I just happened to come across it while scouring the website for information on funding.

SDN won't let me post links since I'm a new user 🙁 but if you go to Tulane's financial aid forms site, you'll find a form called "2018-2019 School of Public Health Addendum (for graduate-level students only)"
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This is so helpful!! Thanks! I'm going to give them a call when they open to see how I can access it because right now it's not allowing me to.
 
mrmeeseekslookatme said:
I only applied to 3 schools and so far have been accepted to 2. However, because of little funding I received from Columbia I’m worried that I should have applied to more in hopes of a better financial aid package somewhere. I know some schools are still accepting applications so I’m wondering if I should apply to more schools? Or is it a waste of money?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I think it depends. I'd take a look at the schools still accepting applicants and think "would I go here over my current acceptances if they gave me money"? Obviously, that depends too - sometimes there's a sweet spot of how much money a school would need to give you to be worth it. It's probably worth looking at job profiles for the types of jobs you want post-grad, looking at the starting salaries, and then back-calculating how much debt you're willing to go into for this degree. I haven't done that yet but I plan to.
 
sploosh said:
For future applicants, once we've received all of our decisions, it might be nice to post a master list of our student profiles and what our acceptances looked like. I know that that's captured over multiple pages of this forum, but it might be better if it's all in once place.
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Yes!! 100% onboard with this idea, it would be so helpful for future students. There was a user a few years ago who made a Google survey of students (avg GPA, GREs etc.) and also compiled decision dates, and that was such a great resource for me when I was just beginning to research applying to PH degrees. We should pay it forward!
 
For future applicants, once we've received all of our decisions, it might be nice to post a master list of our student profiles and what our acceptances looked like. I know that that's captured over multiple pages of this forum, but it might be better if it's all in once place.
Click to expand...
I really like this idea but do have some concerns about it--
(1) People who post and would contribute to such a list are probably more competitive candidates than most MPH applicants. The list may end up dissuading rather than supporting people in applying.
(2) It's really hard to capture the factors that MPH admissions committees look for since I think the SOP/other essays play a big role, and I am pretty sure everyone would rate their own personal statement highly. Test scores and GPA aren't really very helpful except in understanding what the very top schools are looking for, and those schools usually post that kind of information on their websites anyway.

I'd like to suggest some kind of document organized by school rather than applicant. There are always questions on this forum about what schools are strong in which concentrations, when deadlines are, which ones give more/less financial aid, which ones have better job outcomes, etc. Knowing reasons why past applicants chose to enroll at a school (or chose not to) would also have been very helpful to me last year.

And then finally, I think it'd make a difference if people stayed active on this forum during and after their program, if possible. Past applicants were enormously helpful to me last year, which is why I keep up with the forum this year and plan to continue as long as it's feasible for me. There are so few posters here that are in school and even fewer that are in the field. I think if we can commit to keeping this a truly supportive space (unlike soooooo many other parts of SDN/other forums), then maybe future applicants will lurk less and ask more questions.
 
ldlr said:
This is so helpful!! Thanks! I'm going to give them a call when they open to see how I can access it because right now it's not allowing me to.
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Let me know what you find out, because I was told via email that you aren’t able to access the addendum without credentials that are given once you accept the offer of admission.
 
prithak said:
@Teets4Tots that’s great! Congratulations. Which program did you got accepted in? I actually have emailed the program director of Epidemiology program expressing my interest in the program with CV. But in retrospect I should have just applied. They have preferred 70th percentile requirement for quant which made me hesitant as I am in 66th percentile. 🙁
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Thanks! I applied for the Maternal and Child Health program. I wouldn't worry about your quant score if you really want Minnesota to be one of your choices, your still really close to the preferred and also that isn't a hard cutoff either. I applied to a different program but my quant is pretty low so I really think they look at your whole application.
 
pusheen323 said:
Thanks for the reply! By weather, I meant that I come from Southern California where it never snows, barely rains, and is almost always warm. So, I am worried about how it will be to deal with regular cold and snow. I’m used to exercising outdoors, going for walks every night, etc., so I’m thinking of how I’ll have to adjust.
For the car situation, I meant that I don’t have a 4x4 car and the tires on my car tires are pretty small, so I’m concerned about driving in snowy winter conditions with my car. I don’t want to put myself in danger. I can’t afford a new car and although I do want to try to walk/take the bus a lot, I still need a car for grocery shopping and stuff.
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Hi pusheen. I'm an Angeleno now living in Maine for work. I assume Michigan is pretty close to Maine in terms of cold and snow. I don't drive here because I live walking distance from work and don't need a car, but I have some insights I can share with you. Here, people just change their tires to special snow tires, so you don't have to put chains around your tires. These tires do reduce your mpg, but better safe than sorry. The city also has many snowmobiles driving around plowing snow from the streets and sidewalks even during a snow storm, so you won't be driving in 10 inches of snow. But you have to shovel your own driveway/parking spot, and there are parking bans in winter so you have to move your car where there's no ban or just put it in a garage. Always keep something in your car to scrape snow and ice from your windshields, windows, and roof.

People still jog outside even when it's 20 degrees, but you should try to adapt slowly if you're not used to it. Last winter I mostly only went out to go to work, but this winter I walk outside at least an hour a day to get some sunlight. It's not too bad if you're prepared. Invest in good jackets, coats, base layers, socks, and boots. I now walk 15-30 minutes to grocery shop in the winter, and it's fine. Good luck with Michigan!
 
wwmmkk said:
I really like this idea but do have some concerns about it--
(1) People who post and would contribute to such a list are probably more competitive candidates than most MPH applicants. The list may end up dissuading rather than supporting people in applying.
(2) It's really hard to capture the factors that MPH admissions committees look for since I think the SOP/other essays play a big role, and I am pretty sure everyone would rate their own personal statement highly. Test scores and GPA aren't really very helpful except in understanding what the very top schools are looking for, and those schools usually post that kind of information on their websites anyway.

I'd like to suggest some kind of document organized by school rather than applicant. There are always questions on this forum about what schools are strong in which concentrations, when deadlines are, which ones give more/less financial aid, which ones have better job outcomes, etc. Knowing reasons why past applicants chose to enroll at a school (or chose not to) would also have been very helpful to me last year.

And then finally, I think it'd make a difference if people stayed active on this forum during and after their program, if possible. Past applicants were enormously helpful to me last year, which is why I keep up with the forum this year and plan to continue as long as it's feasible for me. There are so few posters here that are in school and even fewer that are in the field. I think if we can commit to keeping this a truly supportive space (unlike soooooo many other parts of SDN/other forums), then maybe future applicants will lurk less and ask more questions.
Click to expand...

Your presence on this forum has been immensely helpful to me, so first I want to say thank you for that!

Your concerns are good ones. I think you're right and that a "by school" document would be the most helpful.

I also wonder if we could capture our journeys in another way, instead of a statistical, mathematical spreadsheet kind of thing. I know that my undergrad GPA is below the average that most schools report, and that my current professional endeavors are absolutely not in research or communty health work, as I think is often the case - it would have been helpful at the start to see that there were others for whom that was the case, and that despite that I could get into schools.
 
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I just received a contradicting message from Columbia MPH coordinator. I am kind of confused.

Thank you for your message and your application to the Department of Health Policy and Management and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. You should be hearing a decision from the School next Friday, the 16th?. We apologize for the delay.
 
andrew_SH said:
I just received a contradicting message from Columbia MPH coordinator. I am kind of confused.

Thank you for your message and your application to the Department of Health Policy and Management and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. You should be hearing a decision from the School next Friday, the 16th?. We apologize for the delay.
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Mhm...I think this email was copied+ pasted from a response to another student a week ago.
 
puripallavi said:
Thank you!! Really appreciate your advice. Hmm you are right. I have applied for Behavioural Sciences, and I am trying to search more on which school is better for this department. What do you think?
Click to expand...

I don't know much about behavioral health unfortunately, so I can't help you there. Do you have a location preference? What would make the most financial sense?
 
123PHP123 said:
I just called Harvard's office of admissions and the woman said they'll be releasing decisions between today and mid-march
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"Hi, yes, this is Harvard, heard of us? Please expect your decision between today and August 31. You'll have 24 hours to accept our offer upon receipt of e-mail. By the way, did I mention this is Harvard? Sincerely, Harvard"
 
Does anyone know if there’s been another wave for Columbia acceptances this week? From reading this forum it seems like Friday people were accepted and this week people were rejected. I applied to the to environmental health science MPH and I have only heard people from that department getting in sometime in January. Other than that I’ve only received those random emails a while back reminding me to do a financial aid application etc.
 
SOL30 said:
Does anyone know if there’s been another wave for Columbia acceptances this week? From reading this forum it seems like Friday people were accepted and this week people were rejected. I applied to the to environmental health science MPH and I have only heard people from that department getting in sometime in January. Other than that I’ve only received those random emails a while back reminding me to do a financial aid application etc.
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Also, I just called general information for Columbia’s MPH environmental health science is someone is also still waiting for that. No one answered but I left a voicemail and hopefully will hear back from them today.
 
x0n said:
I applied to CUNY SPH pretty late (like last week) and just got an email saying everything is completed for me and I should receive a decision by 3/15. Is that something everyone else who applied earlier received? Are decisions ever sent out sooner?
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I applied to CUNY Dec 26 and was accepted early January
 
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guybrush said:
"Hi, yes, this is Harvard, heard of us? Please expect your decision between today and August 31. You'll have 24 hours to accept our offer upon receipt of e-mail. By the way, did I mention this is Harvard? Sincerely, Harvard"
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Haha that's my birthday! 😀 Sorry for being random. lol
 
sploosh said:
Your presence on this forum has been immensely helpful to me, so first I want to say thank you for that!

Your concerns are good ones. I think you're right and that a "by school" document would be the most helpful.

I also wonder if we could capture our journeys in another way, instead of a statistical, mathematical spreadsheet kind of thing. I know that my undergrad GPA is below the average that most schools report, and that my current professional endeavors are absolutely not in research or communty health work, as I think is often the case - it would have been helpful at the start to see that there were others for whom that was the case, and that despite that I could get into schools.
Click to expand...
I think it would be interesting to have both a statistical perspective and a more personal perspective — both quantitative and qualitative data, if you will. I agree that GPAs and test scores aren't a complete view, but I really would have loved to have that kind of data.

So what if we had a spreadsheet that had a basic statistical analysis of the test scores, GPAs, etc. And then had a section of people's stories. People could write a paragraph summarizing their experience, why they applied where they did, how they made their choices, and any relevant circumstances. We could probably get at least a handful of people to do it. I'm certainly willing to, if you guys are interested.
 
Is anyone considering UC Berkeley for Health and Social Behavior? I am deciding between this program and University of Washington - Community Oriented Public Health Program....
 
Lady MacBeth said:
I think it would be interesting to have both a statistical perspective and a more personal perspective — both quantitative and qualitative data, if you will. I agree that GPAs and test scores aren't a complete view, but I really would have loved to have that kind of data.

So what if we had a spreadsheet that had a basic statistical analysis of the test scores, GPAs, etc. And then had a section of people's stories. People could write a paragraph summarizing their experience, why they applied where they did, how they made their choices, and any relevant circumstances. We could probably get at least a handful of people to do it. I'm certainly willing to, if you guys are interested.
Click to expand...

I'm willing to do this as well! It would be invaluable to have this data when applying!
 
Anyone else that applied to Stony get that email on FAFSA being processed and a link with new student information? Is it safe to assume I got accepted?
 
skcolley said:
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wwmmkk said:
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Lady MacBeth said:
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leela_123 said:
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I love everyone's input. I made a throwaway gmail account and used that to create a folder with both a document for writing comments about schools and an applicant spreadsheet. Can people access either/both documents from the below link...?

Link to folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wXSxgeJTSpjhk2iVGrsZCG_hKbiyJUd4

If so, feel free to change things around. They're very rudimentary.
 
hm1742 said:
I was accepted in December for community health and it’s one of my top programs too. Going up to visit in March to see if I like the city!
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Would you mind posting your thoughts after going?? I won't be able to visit so it would be amazing to hear from someone how the city/campus feels!
 
sploosh said:
I love everyone's input. I made a throwaway gmail account and used that to create a folder with both a document for writing comments about schools and an applicant spreadsheet. Can people access either/both documents from the below link...?

If so, feel free to change things around. They're very rudimentary.
Click to expand...

I'll leave it up to the more organized people to change things around, but I can access both documents! Thanks.
 
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Anybody apply to GW later and still waiting to hear back? I submitted it before the 12/15 deadline, but it wasn't completely done until 1/20. I applied to their Global Health Epidemiology and Disease Control program, do they have a fast turn around? I'm starting to get nervous that this is a sign...
 
Has anyone applied to the University of Pittsburgh? Or knows anything about their program?


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