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

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Has anyone applied to the University of Pittsburgh? Or knows anything about their program?


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Yes, I applied there. They have a good, solid MPH program and a nice campus in Pittsburgh. I don't know if they have the high-level connections of Emory or Johns Hopkins, but they have a strong methodological core. I applied there because they have a lot in psychiatric epidemiology, which is what I want to study. An important thing to know is that their program is 3 semesters, not 4 like most of the schools. Because of that, it's less expensive than a lot of other schools even though the semesterly tuition is quite high.
 
Accepted into UNC-Chapel Hill's MSPH in Health Policy and Management! I am so excited!:soexcited: I really thought that my average GPA and GRE score would hinder me from getting into good programs but it looks like I was wrong. So for anyone that is doubting themselves, have faith and put your best foot forward (I sound like I won an Oscar haha).
 
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I just called Columbia's admissions office about HPM decision letters. They said if you applied by the Regular deadline, expect decisions by mid-March.
 
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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.

This is wonderful! Thanks for taking the initiative to set it up! :claps:
 
How long after the admissions decision at GWU did you have to wait until you heard about merit scholarships?
 
Been a long time lurker and wanted to post in case anyone wants to chat about how to decide where to go! This is going to be a tough decision.

Undergrad School: Vanderbilt University
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.3
Major/Minor: Medicine, Health, and Society/Psychology
GradGPA
(if applicable):
Grad Studies (if applicable):
GRE (including date taken) or Other Test (if applicable): 163 quant/162 verbal
Experience/Research (please, be brief): Been working in DC on health policy since I graduated in 2014. Currently working for a federal contractor working on a huge CMMI contract.

Special factors:

***Please include the following whenever possible: specific concentration/track, dates, type of correspondence (phone, email, letter, etc.), scholarships/grants.***

I applied only to Health Management and Policy MPH unless otherwise noted.
Interested in:
Applied
(include the date of application): Harvard and Berkeley
Accepted: GW, Emory (MSPH/MPH need to decide), UNC (MSPH), Columbia, Michigan, Yale
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
 
I’m starting to really lean towards Umich for mph in Epi. My partner just got accepted there too so that really solidifies things. I’m coming from California, so I’m concerned about the weather/car situation (I have a Honda Fit), but anyone have any ideas as to how good the program is and the location? Thanks!! The only other option now is UCLA basically.
Hey- you don't really need a car in Ann Arbor. Maybe to go to the grocery store or run errands but that's it. Ann Arbor is a quaint, awesome, quintessential college town. You have Detroit 45 minutes away and Chicago a 4 hour train ride (that's like $35 Amtrak or $20 bus) if you need a big city. There are tons of outdoorsy stuff in Michigan, it's really beautiful all around the state! There's always stuff happening in Ann Arbor!
 
Hi guys,

So unfortunately I’m going to have to turn Yale down, even though it completely breaks my heart. It is just too much debt for me to take on. One of my epidemiology professors told me that it’s not worth it to spend a ton of money on your MPH. Regardless, it’s difficult for me to say no to Yale.

I was wondering if anyone had any more information about University of South Florida. I am interested in the MPH in epi and global communicable diseases. I was just accepted a couple weeks ago, but have no idea about financial aid. It also seems I can only contact them by phone and I’m working full time during the day. Anyone know about financial aid? Also, I was just told they are undergoing a curriculum change? Anyone know anything about that?

TIA
 
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.
That's a very good idea. I'm willing to participate in this. 🙂
 
A lot of people keep saying don't spend too much to get your MPH. But how much debt is too much? Any insight on this?
This is a very good question. I'm wondering this as well. I'm really hoping that my investment pays off after grad school. This is also why I'm going to work extra diligently during my program to make as much connections and networks as possible.
 
Accepted into UNC-Chapel Hill's MSPH in Health Policy and Management! I am so excited!:soexcited: I really thought that my average GPA would hinder me from getting into good programs but it looks like I was wrong. So for anyone that is doubting themselves, have faith and put your best foot forward (I sound like I won an Oscar haha).

Congrats! :biglove:That’s an amazing program
 
Is anyone else still trying to decide between MPH vs MS vs MSPH?

I applied to Epi programs and am interestedin fieldwork, not research. All the advice I've gotten from my coworkers says to maximize hard skills and stats classes, which would indicate a MS is preferred, but then all the programs say MSs are better for research and MPHs for fieldwork. Anyone else in the same confused boat?
 
A lot of people keep saying don't spend too much to get your MPH. But how much debt is too much? Any insight on this?

Some people get uncomfortable with $50K...some don’t want to exceed $100K. With how stingy these schools are, I’d be happy if my debt is “only” $50k haha. I plan to work part-time to pay for rent so that loans go towards tuition only
 
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....
When did you hear back from Berkeley for Health and Social Behavior? You're the first I've seen that heard back from this dept. Anxiously waiting!
 
Is anyone else still trying to decide between MPH vs MS vs MSPH?

I applied to Epi programs and am interestedin fieldwork, not research. All the advice I've gotten from my coworkers says to maximize hard skills and stats classes, which would indicate a MS is preferred, but then all the programs say MSs are better for research and MPHs for fieldwork. Anyone else in the same confused boat?

Yes, I am. I applied to both MPH and MHS in Health Economics. I am leaning towards MPH because there are way more electives (of course this assumes I get in and am still waiting on decisions from both). There are hardly any with the MHS. With MPH I can still take the health economics courses I need, but can tailor the cirriculum to meet my needs.
 
Me waiting on my acceptance/rejection email from Berkeley (HPM) while everyone else is getting notifications back already
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So first, I got no response from Hopkins on acceptance into the MSPH in GDEC and I was angry. Then, I didnt hear back from GW or Michigan on financial aid and started feeling heart-broken. Then, I had way too much time on my hands and found potato smiley faces that described my feelings perfectly.

Not losing total hope though. Let's all keep our chins up and hope for the best for everyone ❤️
 

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Really starting to think maybe public health might not be my thing 🙁
I’ve finally started getting decisions, but nothing positive..
 
Really starting to think maybe public health might not be my thing 🙁
I’ve finally started getting decisions, but nothing positive..
Why do you think so? Is it because you haven't gotten an acceptance yet? You shouldn't give up on something you want to do! I think you should definitely stay positive until all the decisions come out. And if you don't get the results you want this cycle, it's okay. If you plan to re-apply next cycle, you might want to consider retaking your GRE because your GPA is definitely NOT on the low side for PH programs, and maybe apply to a broader range of schools. I also did a little stalking on your past posts and it looks like you have a lot of experience so I definitely think you'd be a good candidate for PH programs.

I also got a rejection from a school that I was so positive about getting into, and it did get me down a little bit but I reminded myself it'll be okay. I know it's tedious waiting to hear back and I am struggling with it as well. Hope we both get the results we want. 🙂
 
Why do you think so? Is it because you haven't gotten an acceptance yet? You shouldn't give up on something you want to do! I think you should definitely stay positive until all the decisions come out. And if you don't get the results you want this cycle, it's okay. If you plan to re-apply next cycle, you might want to consider retaking your GRE because your GPA is definitely NOT on the low side for PH programs, and maybe apply to a broader range of schools. I also did a little stalking on your past posts and it looks like you have a lot of experience so I definitely think you'd be a good candidate for PH programs.

I also got a rejection from a school that I was so positive about getting into, and it did get me down a little bit but I reminded myself it'll be okay. I know it's tedious waiting to hear back from decisions and I am struggling with it as well. Hope we both get the results we want. 🙂
Your words made me feel a lot better, thanks :/ It’s just after all this waiting, I get 3 rejections and 1 waitlist, and all I have left are 2 schools and I’m feeling iffy about them too. Definitely not a holistic application process especially considering my experience and grades. My GRE outweighed my chances.
 
Your words made me feel a lot better, thanks :/ It’s just after all this waiting, I get 3 rejections and 1 waitlist, and all I have left are 2 schools and I’m feeling iffy about them too. Definitely not a holistic application process especially considering my experience and grades. My GRE outweighed my chances.
Schools have different standards and if their admission system is solely based on applicant's numbers, I personally would not want to consider that school. Public Health is different from other fields in a sense that it's very mission-driven. In my opinion public health schools should consider the applicant's potential and passion for the field more than anything. But yeah like I said, schools have different standards and things they look for during the admission process which is why it's usually safer to apply to more schools. Maybe you can try applying to a few more programs now if it's not too late? Don't lose hope!
 
Really starting to think maybe public health might not be my thing 🙁
I’ve finally started getting decisions, but nothing positive..

Rejection letters suck but don't give up on public health. Worse case scenario, take another year to retake GRE and re-apply. I know someone who was rejected to all ~25 med schools she applied for...stung a lot but she took another year to strengthen her application, re-applied, and is now into her 3rd year of med school. I know that's not exactly public health but the point is, don't give up on the field you love because of rejection letters.
 
Rejection letters suck but don't give up on public health. Worse case scenario, take another year to retake GRE and re-apply. I know someone who was rejected to all ~25 med schools she applied for...stung a lot but she took another year to strengthen her application, re-applied, and is now into her 3rd year of med school. I know that's not exactly public health but the point is, don't give up on the field you love because of rejection letters.
I’m just a really bad test taker 🙁 I don’t do well on standardized exams and I was really hoping schools would overlook that and look more so into other components of my apps, just like undergrad. But idk.

Does anyone have recommendations on schools I can apply to? With my given situation. Waiting on CUNY and Mount Sinai as of rn.
 
I’m just a really bad test taker 🙁 I don’t do well on standardized exams and I was really hoping schools would overlook that and look more so into other components of my apps, just like undergrad. But idk.

Does anyone have recommendations on schools I can apply to? With my given situation. Waiting on CUNY and Mount Sinai as of rn.
I don't know too much about Health and Human Services, but try applying to schools outside of NY?? From what it looks like you have a strong preference to go to school in NY, but maybe you can look into Rutgers in NJ or other schools in Boston?
 
I’m just a really bad test taker 🙁 I don’t do well on standardized exams and I was really hoping schools would overlook that and look more so into other components of my apps, just like undergrad. But idk.

Does anyone have recommendations on schools I can apply to? With my given situation. Waiting on CUNY and Mount Sinai as of rn.

Your GRE scores will matter less if you have more work experience. If you don't get into a program then take some time and get some great work and volunteer experience and reapply in a year or two! You will be able to tailor your educational goals better as well because you will have some experience.
 
I’m just a really bad test taker 🙁 I don’t do well on standardized exams and I was really hoping schools would overlook that and look more so into other components of my apps, just like undergrad. But idk.
Don't give up on this cycle yet! You still have two schools outstanding + a wait list..those doors aren't closed! There are also programs that have extended deadlines and/or don't require the GRE if you're concerned about your scores. You may have to look outside of New York though. If you're set on NY and your three current schools don't work out for whatever reason, take another year or two like others have suggested. If this is really what you want to do, please don't give up because of a stupid standardized test! 🙁
 
Don't give up on this cycle yet! You still have two schools outstanding + a wait list..those doors aren't closed! There are also programs that have extended deadlines and/or don't require the GRE if you're concerned about your scores. You may have to look outside of New York though. If you're set on NY and your three current schools don't work out for whatever reason, take another year or two like others have suggested. If this is really what you want to do, please don't give up because of a stupid standardized test! 🙁
What schools do you recommend that don’t look at GREs?
 
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!
Thank you so much for your insight and advice! I know that Ann Arbor, MI isnr as bad as some parts of say Montana or Canada, so I know I wouldn’t be in a super cold, rough environment, so I am not too worried. Plus, it could be nice to actually experience seasons and snow for once!
 
Hey- you don't really need a car in Ann Arbor. Maybe to go to the grocery store or run errands but that's it. Ann Arbor is a quaint, awesome, quintessential college town. You have Detroit 45 minutes away and Chicago a 4 hour train ride (that's like $35 Amtrak or $20 bus) if you need a big city. There are tons of outdoorsy stuff in Michigan, it's really beautiful all around the state! There's always stuff happening in Ann Arbor!
Thank you for the input! It seems like a really great place to live, better than where UCLA is (my other top choice) in my opinion.
 
What schools do you recommend that don’t look at GREs?
There seem to be a lot of online, CEPH-accredited programs that don't require GRE (I think USC, USF, and GWU are a few). There are likely some in-person options as well but finding those might take some more hunting and research.
 
I haven't known a lot of folks who have gone into public health, so reading over this forum has been extremely helpful in overcoming self doubt and deciding to apply during this cycle. I thought I'd share my stats in case they're useful to anyone in the future.

Undergrad School:
Small private university
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.902 (3.90 SOPHAS)
Major/Minor: Political Science and Philosophy double major
GRE: 168 V, 159 Q, 4.5 W
Experience/Research:
- Returned Peace Corps Volunteer - served as a youth sexual and reproductive health educator with multiple leadership positions and technical training on gender initiatives (relating to gender-based violence, sexuality, HIV)
- 6-month maternal and child health fellowship in East Africa
- Current full-time job working with recently arrived refugees, including assisting with health care access and education about health systems
- academic background in international politics; undergrad research experience in US education policy

Interested in: Adolescent SRH education and youth-friendly SRH services, SRH access and education in refugee populations, MCH, GBV, contraception and safe abortion access, HIV prevention and HTC
Applied: Columbia (PopFam, 12/1), UNC (MCH, 12/11 SOPHAS and 12/14 UNC supplement), Emory (Global Health, 1/4)
Accepted: UNC (1/12, after interview on same day)+$10k, Columbia (1/22)+loans, Emory (1/26)
Attending: TBD (I only applied to programs I loved and didn't expect three acceptances)

Got an email from a Columbia professor today who basically has my dream job, which is salt in the wound after learning I only qualify for loans there (despite my $0 expected contribution, but I knew my stats wouldn't qualify me for any sort of merit aid). Still waiting on financial aid for Emory -- I've had a time just getting my citizenship details sorted with them!
 
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?
Does money play a role in your decision? Columbia has very strict GPA and GRE score requirements for merit scholarships (I believe a GPA of 3.75+ and 80th+ percentile on all sections of the GRE). Even if you are in the ranges, they are competitive and go to the top applicants. Their financial aid packages are often lower than other schools and are often loan based instead of grant based. You may gain acceptance if you apply again, but is that worth the price of tuition plus the price of living in the NYC area? If Emory and BU have the area of public health that you are interested in, they are both great schools of public health and you couldn't go wrong with either. I am very sorry to hear about the rejection, but you still have some great options! BU and Emory are highly reputable schools of public health without a doubt.
 
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I’m just a really bad test taker 🙁 I don’t do well on standardized exams and I was really hoping schools would overlook that and look more so into other components of my apps, just like undergrad. But idk.

Does anyone have recommendations on schools I can apply to? With my given situation. Waiting on CUNY and Mount Sinai as of rn.
Have you ever thought about applying to schools outside the US? I applied to numerous schools in the UK, and not a single one required any sort of standardized tests. There are some really great, unique programs that are just as strong as universities here in the US. Don't give up!!
 
Hi all, I've been creeping on here for several months now. This forum has been so helpful for me, so I'm going to add my experience/stats here so that maybe they'll help someone next year. I was really interested in applying to graduate schools in Europe for a variety of reasons: the programs are generally one year instead of two, tuition is much less expensive than at schools here in the US, European public health degrees are more discipline-specific (MSc in Environmental Health, MSc in Epidemiology, etc. as opposed to general MPH degrees), no application fees, no standardized test requirements, and I think that it would be really valuable to learn about how other countries do public health. I did apply to a bunch of programs (remember, free applications!) so if anyone has any questions about any of the programs I applied to, don't hesitate to reach out to me 🙂

Undergrad School: Small private liberal arts school in the southeast
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.737 Undergrad GPA/3.83 Major GPA (3.77 SOPHAS)
Major/Minor: Public Health and Spanish Majors/Latin American Studies Minor
GRE: 160 V, 160 Q, 4.5 W
Experience/Research:
- Three years of volunteer experience with an after school program for Hispanic students from Title I schools
- 1 year of environmental health research on childhood blood lead levels
- Summer internship at the state environmental health agency
- 4 environmental health research presentations at 3 research conferences across the southeast
- 6 months of a community health fellowship working with the Hispanic population
- 6 months working as a community health educator at local Title I middle schools
- I had the huge advantage of studying public health at the undergraduate level: I've taken Fundamentals of Public Health, Research Methods and Evaluations in the Health Sciences, Environmental Health, Global Public Health, Health Systems/Services/Policy Administration, Agroecology, History of Western Medicine, and Medical Spanish
- Executive board member/founding member of our campus's chapter of No Lost Generation (organization that works to support refugee families placed in the US)
- Leader of an alternative spring break program working with refugee resettlement

Interested in: Environmental health/environmental epidemiology, the relationship between conflict and health
Applied: University of Exeter (09/02), Middlesex University London (09/15), University of Birmingham (09/22), King's College London (11/4), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (12/9), EHESP French School of Public Health (01/05), Drexel (01/14), Yale (01/14)
Accepted: Exeter (09/28)+£5,000, MDX (10/26), Birmingham (11/14), KCL (12/6), LSHTM (01/17), EHESP (02/06), Drexel (02/13)+$27,000, Yale (03/16)
Waitlisted:
Rejected:
Attending
: TBD
 
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Thank you to everyone that responded to my concerns today. I really do appreciate the help! I just wanted to ask with stats, does it seem feasible to have a chance with Rutgers, Drexel, GWU, or GMU? I see that a lot of you are recommending out of state, so I’m looking into staying in the East coast. Please lmk! Kind of need back ups ASAP 🙁
 
Thank you to everyone that responded to my concerns today. I really do appreciate the help! I just wanted to ask with stats, does it seem feasible to have a chance with Rutgers, Drexel, GWU, or GMU? I see that a lot of you are recommending out of state, so I’m looking into staying in the East coast. Please lmk! Kind of need back ups ASAP 🙁
I think you should definitely try Drexel and GWU if you were looking to apply to other schools. Wishing you the best of luck!
 
Thank you to everyone that responded to my concerns today. I really do appreciate the help! I just wanted to ask with stats, does it seem feasible to have a chance with Rutgers, Drexel, GWU, or GMU? I see that a lot of you are recommending out of state, so I’m looking into staying in the East coast. Please lmk! Kind of need back ups ASAP 🙁
I would also add East Tennessee State University to your list! They have both community health and epidemiology concentrations. Their final deadline is June 1st so you still have some time.
 
Thank you to everyone that responded to my concerns today. I really do appreciate the help! I just wanted to ask with stats, does it seem feasible to have a chance with Rutgers, Drexel, GWU, or GMU? I see that a lot of you are recommending out of state, so I’m looking into staying in the East coast. Please lmk! Kind of need back ups ASAP 🙁

I highly recommend Thomas Jefferson's MPH masters program. It's on the East Coast in what most people percieve is the best part of Philly (Center City). Also you can do it in two years or one year, and it's CEPH certified. If you're worried about stats, don't be. This program considers your experience, servitude to helping others, and promoting public health above all. Contact [email protected] or [email protected], and they'll be happy to help you out. Good luck!
 
I think you should definitely try Drexel and GWU if you were looking to apply to other schools. Wishing you the best of luck!
I would also add East Tennessee State University to your list! They have both community health and epidemiology concentrations. Their final deadline is June 1st so you still have some time.
I highly recommend Thomas Jefferson's MPH masters program. It's on the East Coast in what most people percieve is the best part of Philly (Center City). Also you can do it in two years or one year, and it's CEPH certified. If you're worried about stats, don't be. This program considers your experience, servitude to helping others, and promoting public health above all. Contact [email protected] or [email protected], and they'll be happy to help you out. Good luck!
People like y’all are what make joining forums like this a blessing
 
People like y’all are what make joining forums like this a blessing
We're all in this together, fam! Happy to help out. I would also add University of South Carolina. The deadline for fall entry is tomorrow (02/15), but if you've already applied to other schools, I think it would be fairly easy to pop out an application. USC also offers good financial aid, scholarships, graduate assistantships, etc. Good luck! Don't give up!
 
We're all in this together, fam! Happy to help out. I would also add University of South Carolina. The deadline for fall entry is tomorrow (02/15), but if you've already applied to other schools, I think it would be fairly easy to pop out an application. USC also offers good financial aid, scholarships, graduate assistantships, etc. Good luck! Don't give up!
Out of all the schools recommended though, which would you say is most holistic about the application process though? I don’t want to end up in the same mess again.
 
Your words made me feel a lot better, thanks :/ It’s just after all this waiting, I get 3 rejections and 1 waitlist, and all I have left are 2 schools and I’m feeling iffy about them too. Definitely not a holistic application process especially considering my experience and grades. My GRE outweighed my chances.
Looks like other people have given you good places to look for new places to apply. Another suggestion might be SUNY Albany; a colleague of mine went there and speaks very highly of it. Their deadline is March 1.

I looked at your profile and agree that your experiences and grades should have made up for your GRE scores, especially at Stony Brook and UB. I wonder if maybe reworking your SOP and/or resume might help showcase your strengths better. Have you gotten any feedback on them from advisers? I am sure that many people here would be happy to give feedback, myself included. I'm not trying to imply they weren't good, just looking for some kind of explanation as to why you've had such a negative experience. =\
 
Out of all the schools recommended though, which would you say is most holistic about the application process though? I don’t want to end up in the same mess again.
In my opinion, I would say Thomas Jefferson, South Carolina, or Eastern Virginia Medical School (sorry--a new one, I keep thinking of more!). Eastern Virginia Medical School is kind of a hidden gem. It's a partnership with Old Dominion University, and in the future, the school will be merging with William and Mary. Minimum GPA of 2.5, and they don't actually specify that you have to be at the 50th percentile for your GRE. EVMS doesn't use SOPHAS, but the application is pretty easy (I started it, but didn't finish it). From what I understand, they really focus on your essay and your references (3 are required).
 
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