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

Started by ConfusedAsUsual
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Cassatrass said:
I think it's important for you to think about career goals. Yale and Emory will provide you with a stronger name recognition, more connections, and likely better research opportunities than Wisconsin. I'm all for saving money, but UWisconsin is pretty well known for slashing research budgets and doesn't have a strong public health program. I would be very wary about choosing it over your other options due to that.
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The MS program isn't housed in the school of medicine and public health but rather its in the college of Letters and Science. I'd be able to complete my thesis with any department in the same school, including bacteriology and entomology, both of which have strong external funding. The CDC just opened the Midwest vector-borne disease center on campus, which provides opportunities as well. I'm just more worried about staying at the same institution that I got my BS in.
 
Dmohr21 said:
The MS program isn't housed in the school of medicine and public health but rather its in the college of Letters and Science. I'd be able to complete my thesis with any department in the same school, including bacteriology and entomology, both of which have strong external funding. The CDC just opened the Midwest vector-borne disease center on campus, which provides opportunities as well. I'm just more worried about staying at the same institution that I got my BS in.
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One really important thing is to look at advisors. Is there advisor working in the area you really want to do research at any of the schools you've been accepted to? For example, I didn't necessarily just apply to all the "top" public health schools b/c I'm very specifically focused on psychiatric and genetic epidemiology which isn't necessarily strong at every school.
 
numbersloth said:
Just curious, what made you no longer want to pursue clinical psych and go for public health instead? I'm someone that very strongly considered clinical psych but decided I wasn't really in support of much of the field/methods when I looked closer (and am much more interested in epidemiology anyway) -- I'm always curious to hear about other's perspectives.
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Not wanting to go back to school for another 5 years was a huge part of it to be honest. I also think I'm too introverted to be a clinician and the field seems so saturated already. I loved learning about it in undergrad but career wise, getting an MPH and getting a biostats job after feels so much better. I also like doing research but had trouble coming up with research ideas and felt like a lot of psych research questions were kind of made up or unimportant. I really prefer applied research, which public health can give me.

Sorry for basically regurgitating my personal statement on here lol oops!
 
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pusheen323 said:
Well I got an email from Umich regarding my financial award notice and it ended up just being loans and Work study. I got so excited thinking it was a scholarship. Does anyone know if I got this that it means that I will not be getting a scholarship? I’m so bummed!
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In the admitted students Facebook group today they said that scholarships for HBHE weren’t included in the financial aid award notice and that we would be finding out by email soon. So maybe you’ll still get one!
 
Hi!

I've been accepted to the Health Policy Programs at George Washington (one time $7500 scholarship), Emory (not notified of aid yet), and Yale (not notified of aid yet). I've also been accepted to Boston's MPH program (one time $18,000 scholarship).

I was wondering if I could get some advice on these schools? Which has the best HPM program and which would I benefit most from after graduation? I'll be visiting each school next month to get a feel of the campus, students, and faculty. I've really liked Emory's program for a while now but am starting to consider Yale. Please help a girl out!
 
nannams said:
yeah the more i thought about it i decided not to contact them. Just seems too risky
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I agree with everyone that I wouldn't directly ask for an admissions decision, but I do not think that it is a bad idea to contact Harvard to say that you will be in MA for the weekend and, although you have not received an admissions decision yet, you applied to the program and would like to see Harvard and meet with somebody from the school of public health. It shows your interest and may provide a friendly nudge. If you are going all the way to MA anyway, it is definitely a good idea to visit Harvard while you are in the area, and contacting Harvard to have the opportunity to meet with somebody from the school is a good idea.
 
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corndoggedly said:
That is awesome — congrats!!
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lilycat123 said:
Congrats!!! :soexcited:

how did you find out?
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Thank you!!! I found out via email! Apparently they only award 45 merit scholarships each year, so I'm feeling a little stunned! Emory was easily in my top 3, but now I can't wait to visit since they're looking like the perfect financial/educational combination!! 🙂
 
macko126 said:
Hey everyone, I have kind of a strange situation and was thinking maybe someone could give me some insight.
So, during my junior year spring semester (Spring 2016), I studied abroad through an exchange program run by an outside institution (KEI) but all of the credits transferred directly to my university. I was at an Irish university and during the summer after I returned, I received what I assumed was an "official transcript." SOPHAS and all of the other schools I applied to didn't require me to submit a transcript from my semester abroad bc the credits were reflected directly on my home institution transcript. SDSU requested the transcript after my file had been moved to the program. So, I sent this transcript I received. My portal has just updated and now says
“Required - unofficial transcript received, official is required."
I realize the transcript they sent me looks low key fake bc the university is so small and schools abroad are just so much different than in the states, but it is literally signed by the president. I reached out to my program coordinator from KEI and am waiting for a response.
Have any of you all dealt with a similar issue? I'm just nervous that they don't have a more official transcript than this. SDSU is one of my top choices right now and my application has really been held up because of this.
Thanks everyone hopefully someone has some idea what I should do!
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I'm not sure if anyone else responded to you because I haven't caught up on this thread yet, but I studied abroad and have been struggling to get that transcript sent to SDSU as well. I emailed and received the following response:
"You will not need to send an official transcript from the International University if your study abroad program was through your home institution and if on the transcript the full course title, units received, and the grade received are all listed on the home institution official transcript."
I also called and was told if I couldn't get my study abroad transcript I could call them and they might be able to waive that requirement, I'd just call the admission office, they were super nice.
 
Cassatrass said:
Thank you!!! I found out via email! Apparently they only award 45 merit scholarships each year, so I'm feeling a little stunned! Emory was easily in my top 3, but now I can't wait to visit since they're looking like the perfect financial/educational combination!! 🙂
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AH! I just got the same scholarship. I wasn't even considering Emory (I went there for undergrad), but now by necessity it has to be my top choice. See you all at accepted students day I guess??
 
I applied for two MHA programs (Michigan and Johns Hopkins) and was rejected from both, but accepted to the MPH programs I applied to, NYU and Columbia. I know Columbia is higher ranked and the program is much more established, but NYU would allow me to keep working and gave me a $12/year scholarship. What is everyone's opinion of following the money vs. a better school? I thought I was interested in consulting but as I think more about it, I am more interested in working in a hospital setting. I'm making my obsessive google doc as we speak... P.S. cost of living doesn't matter, I will stay where I am now (Brooklyn)
 
For anyone else who got into Harvard, are you finding any more information about admitted student days, etc. on the portal? I can't find any more information that they mention in the letter...
 
pusheen323 said:
Well I got an email from Umich regarding my financial award notice and it ended up just being loans and Work study. I got so excited thinking it was a scholarship. Does anyone know if I got this that it means that I will not be getting a scholarship? I’m so bummed!
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I believe they sent out scholarship info late last month/early this month. But you can always call and ask too!
 
meowmeowfuzzyface said:
What's the difference between a Stafford and a Plus Loan? If i was offered both which would be preferable to accept?
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I use to work in a large state school financial aid office so I hope I can help! Stafford loans have a limit, as a graduate student you are offered stafford unsubsidized loan (meaning that it will accrue interest while you are in school at a 6% rate). You are automatically 'awarded' this amount (you still have to accept and follow through on the requirements [e.g., sign an MPN/agreement, complete online counseling]). As a graduate student there is a limit to how much you can borrow of this type of loan (cum limit of 138500, including loans from undergrad). A PLUS loan does require a credit check, however the credit check is a 'soft' check, and looks for things like bankruptcies. Also no limit on how much you can borrow from a PLUS over your studies. As a graduate student applying you will be approved for the loan. Graduate plus loans are also unsubsidized, but at a higher rate (7%).
 
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Hi all, was wondering your thoughts on my dilemma. I have the privilege of having acceptances from Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University both for the MPH programs. I actually went to Columbia for undergrad and did my thesis at the medical campus so I am very familiar with Columbia and the public health school. I really like Johns Hopkins University, especially because of the school's prestige and exciting opportunities offered to students. However, I am concerned about the pace of the accelerated MPH program at JHU especially because I only have two years of post-grad work experience and fear that I may struggle compared to the older, more career established students at Hopkins. What is everyone's thoughts on the two schools?
 
andrew_SH said:
Are we supposed to dress professionally for admitted student day?
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I would recommend dressing somewhere between business casual and professional. When I went to admitted students days, the majority of admitted students were wearing dress pants or nice khakis, nice blouses, nice sweaters, button down collared shirts (often with ties), and some blazers or suit jackets. Of course, this is not a rule, I just thought it might help to know what I saw most frequently at the 3 admitted students days I attended to give you an idea. Those who were dressed in very casual attire (jeans, sneakers, sweatshirts, etc.) looked a bit out of place. Beware that you will likely have some walking to do, especially if you want to take a campus tour or have to find parking, so wear practical shoes. Overall, it does not really matter and is nothing to stress about. Just plan your outfit knowing that the majority of students will likely be dressed in business casual to professional attire and that you will likely have opportunities to meet with faculty.
 
desNuages said:
I applied for two MHA programs (Michigan and Johns Hopkins) and was rejected from both, but accepted to the MPH programs I applied to, NYU and Columbia. I know Columbia is higher ranked and the program is much more established, but NYU would allow me to keep working and gave me a $12/year scholarship. What is everyone's opinion of following the money vs. a better school? I thought I was interested in consulting but as I think more about it, I am more interested in working in a hospital setting. I'm making my obsessive google doc as we speak... P.S. cost of living doesn't matter, I will stay where I am now (Brooklyn)
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I'm very familiar with consulting firms from my MBA experience. They care a LOT about where you go to school. If you think there is the remotest possibility you want to go into consulting then you need to make absolutely sure they recruit at the school you go to. It is nearly impossible to get a job with a consulting firm if they don't recruit at your school. I'm not sure there is enough of a difference between NYU and Columbia that this matters, BUT I would talk to the students and the career services at the school and ask them what firms recruit, how many are hired etc.
 
skaballet said:
I'm very familiar with consulting firms from my MBA experience. They care a LOT about where you go to school. If you think there is the remotest possibility you want to go into consulting then you need to make absolutely sure they recruit at the school you go to. It is nearly impossible to get a job with a consulting firm if they don't recruit at your school. I'm not sure there is enough of a difference between NYU and Columbia that this matters, BUT I would talk to the students and the career services at the school and ask them what firms recruit, how many are hired etc.
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Would you say consulting firms look at general prestige of school or reputation in public health? For example, Yale is prestigious in general but in public health, it’s rankings are lower than JHU/Columbia/UNC.
 
Ebb55 said:
Would you say consulting firms look at general prestige of school or reputation in public health? For example, Yale is prestigious in general but in public health, it’s rankings are lower than JHU/Columbia/UNC.
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For a masters program they would look at the school you are in so public health. They look at the overall university for undergrads.
 
skaballet said:
You are overthinking this. Employers care that you have the degree not how long it took you to obtain said degree. While some students at JHU may be planning to return to employers, I would expect that is not the case for most people. I am not aware of any public health employers that would be paying for someone's degree so the motivation for one to return to a former employer is not that high. While everyone at JHU has some work experience, I would expect most students are trying to trade up and obtain a better position than the one they currently have (or one in a new field). I would go to admitted student days at BOTH schools and ask about recruiting and job opportunities.
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thank you so much for your advice! I definitely didn't consider the motivation aspect, so that helps a lot! I will be going to both Admitted Students Days in the coming weeks and hopefully i'll have a better idea of where I want to go! I'm a worrier by nature haha always worried i wont find a job because i made the wrong choice, but in this case neither choice is wrong, so I just have to get a feel for both programs and see where that takes me! Thank you so much!
 
If you are accepted into a program and are waiting to hear from others, do you tentatively accept the offer? There is no deadline on when to submit the acceptance I believe (i will call to clarify) but i am wondering what others have done. Thank you!!
 
TD2018 said:
I'm not sure if anyone else responded to you because I haven't caught up on this thread yet, but I studied abroad and have been struggling to get that transcript sent to SDSU as well. I emailed and received the following response:
"You will not need to send an official transcript from the International University if your study abroad program was through your home institution and if on the transcript the full course title, units received, and the grade received are all listed on the home institution official transcript."
I also called and was told if I couldn't get my study abroad transcript I could call them and they might be able to waive that requirement, I'd just call the admission office, they were super nice.
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Thanks for your input! I actually ended up being able to request a new transcript from my study abroad coordinating organization because I think when I opened my own transcript it became unofficial. So that's in the process now, but I may still call because it's been holding up my application for so long.
 
I just got waitlisted at Arizona..... really thought that I would be in there, but knew it would be contingent on me completing one of the prereqs I didn't have. I guess that could be why. The email they sent me said they would let me know if I get admitted by the beginning of May... how helpful haha.
 
dahualu said:
Hi all, was wondering your thoughts on my dilemma. I have the privilege of having acceptances from Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University both for the MPH programs. I actually went to Columbia for undergrad and did my thesis at the medical campus so I am very familiar with Columbia and the public health school. I really like Johns Hopkins University, especially because of the school's prestige and exciting opportunities offered to students. However, I am concerned about the pace of the accelerated MPH program at JHU especially because I only have two years of post-grad work experience and fear that I may struggle compared to the older, more career established students at Hopkins. What is everyone's thoughts on the two schools?
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Hey! I'm in the same position as you! I too have those thoughts, but I also think that the way that JHU's "core" program works helps us all get to the same level with regards to content knowledge. I definitely think it will be a challenging program considering it's being condensed into 1 year, but i don't think you should be worried that your experience isn't enough. I would see if you could talk to an admissions rep/student from JHU or try to come to their admitted students days to ask them in person. I plan on asking them the same thing when I visit in 2 weeks so i'll let you know what they say!
 
ninz54 said:
Hey! I'm in the same position as you! I too have those thoughts, but I also think that the way that JHU's "core" program works helps us all get to the same level with regards to content knowledge. I definitely think it will be a challenging program considering it's being condensed into 1 year, but i don't think you should be worried that your experience isn't enough. I would see if you could talk to an admissions rep/student from JHU or try to come to their admitted students days to ask them in person. I plan on asking them the same thing when I visit in 2 weeks so i'll let you know what they say!
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Hi! Thank you for your response! I'll also be at the Admitted Students Day (March 9th) and I'll definitely be asking around.
 
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dahualu said:
Hi! Thank you for your response! I'll also be at the Admitted Students Day (March 9th) and I'll definitely be asking around.
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Would you happen to have more info on the Mt. Sinai program? I have been accepted and may plan on going to their admitted student's day if the travel reimbursement covers enough of my flight. Would love to hear anything you might know about the program, if you were willing to share! Have a wonderful rest of your day and happy Friday!
 
x0n said:
How long did it take you to get a decision from NYMC and Mount Sinai?
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I applied to the Mt. Sinai program on 1/25 and was admitted on 1/29! I reached out to their program coordinator and they have rolling admissions. The coordinator said it typically takes no more than 2-3 weeks to hear back.
 
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NardwuarKnowsEverything said:
I applied to the Mt. Sinai program on 1/25 and was admitted on 1/29! I reached out to their program coordinator and they have rolling admissions. The coordinator said it typically takes no more than 2-3 weeks to hear back.
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Today marks exactly 2 weeks since I applied! I might just give them a call then 🙂 I like their program a lot, but still have yet to hear from them, lmk if you end up choosing them
 
x0n said:
Today marks exactly 2 weeks since I applied! I might just give them a call then 🙂 I like their program a lot, but still have yet to hear from them, lmk if you end up choosing them
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Best of luck to you!! I also applied to their Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program! I'd love to hear what you like about their program. I'll keep you posted on whether or not I attend their program; I am from the west coast and this is the only east coast program I applied to, so we will see what happens 😛.
 
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