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

[ConfusedAsUsual]

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congrats!! I know a couple folks in that program and they absolutely love it 🙂

Thank you!!

Although, on my admission letter it says "Please be aware that your admission is contingent upon our receiving your contingency item(s) by June 1, 2018." Not sure what these are/where to find them/if this just appears on every letter?

EDIT: It comes on every letter, it'll appear on the portal if you have any items/contingencies to review!

 

[nannams]

i wonder if harvard will release global health decisions today? or tomorrow (or next week)

 

[dcoles92]

Into Harvard MPH-65 Health Policy!

 

[wwmmkk]

I need advice! I've been accepted to UMN and my state school, OHSU-PSU. They would both result in no debt post graduation, but I've been struggling on a decision. UMN is well known and has a robust Epi program, while OHSU-PSU is not well known but has a small program/incoming class (which could be a benefit). I'm hoping to get a PhD after my MPH (with time off in-between to gain more work experience). Does anyone have insight into either program? Or how much does prestige matter in terms of where you get your MPH if you are interested in PhD?

Not only is UMN highly ranked and more prestigious, it's epi program is very strong and the community there is great. I really loved the sound of UMN's mentorship program, and the Twin Cities are supposedly among the best places to live in the country. I'd go with UMN without question. I don't think you'll feel like the program is too big for you either.

 

[Brick05]

No way! I live/work abroad and I've just accepted that I won't be going to any of them. 1. I don't have anymore paid time off work, 2. Even thoughit would be helpful, I couldn't justify the $900+ round trip ticket. Oh and I need my job so I can't just quit, haha.
As an alternative, I've skyped with a few current students from the schools I'm interested in and I won't be afraid to reach out and ask for more information if my decision doesn't become more clear.

Good call on skyping current students. Something I should look into. I realistically can't quit my job and travel halfway around the world but I feel really indecisive right now. I know that I need to base my decision on concrete facts and information rather than emotion... like one day I want to go to this school, another day I wake up and go no no I think I want to go to that one.... I'm curious to understand what is everyone's criteria for deciding? What is most important to people?

 

[Dr boss]

My Harvard portal still has no updates. Anyone in the same situation ?

 

[Sth1022]

My Harvard portal still has no updates. Anyone in the same situation ?

Same! Applied for the Global Health MPH-65 program. says Your Harvard Chan decision letter is not yet available. Please check back at a later time.

 

[grapesandstrawberries]

Reading a lot of posts on deferrals..... I am now starting to think about it. I currently work for a start-up (cancer informatics) that I've been with since its early stages, and my boss is offering equity for me to stay for at least another year. It's doing really well and the pay I'm currently getting is pretty good. However I know I want to pursue more education and have different goals than just staying in the business sector. It's just so tempting to stay because I started this job just last year when I graduated from college when I was barely 22 and I would love to grow with the company a little more. At the same time I feel like if I take a break I'll be too distracted to go back or be carried away from my original plans. Are there any older students with good advice on taking 1+ year off?

 

[Cassatrass]

My Harvard portal still has no updates. Anyone in the same situation ?

 

[peachplumpear85]

My Harvard portal still has no updates. Anyone in the same situation ?

Me! This wait is completely agonizing!

 

[khunvor]

My Harvard portal still has no updates. Anyone in the same situation ?

Me. I applied for MPH-45 in HM concentration.

 

[Cassatrass]

Reading a lot of posts on deferrals..... I am now starting to think about it. I currently work for a start-up (cancer informatics) that I've been with since its early stages, and my boss is offering equity for me to stay for at least another year. It's doing really well and the pay I'm currently getting is pretty good. However I know I want to pursue more education and have different goals than just staying in the business sector. It's just so tempting to stay because I started this job just last year when I graduated from college when I was barely 22 and I would love to grow with the company a little more. At the same time I feel like if I take a break I'll be too distracted to go back or be carried away from my original plans. Are there any older students with good advice on taking 1+ year off?

I mean, I've taken 2 off, and I'm SUPER ready to go back to school. It feels like I've been waiting for this forever! But I'm also changing fields and very excited to leave, which makes a difference. I don't think waiting a year would demotivate you in any way unless you fall in love with that company and decide to stay...which is definitely not the worst thing that could happen! It's important to keep an open mind.

 

[njudjr]

Harvard is killing me🙁

 

[numbersloth]

Also waiting!

Also waiting

 

[Keenonepi]

Just got my admission from Harvard!!! (Epidemiology SM80)

IMG, 3years work experience, half year research experience, 3 strong LOR
SOPHAS GPA: 3.73 GRE: 156V/167Q/3.5AW

 

[Whynot6]

My Harvard portal still has no updates. Anyone in the same situation ?

Im also waiting.

For those who did not receive a notification in the AM, but got an update later in the day, let me know! I am unsure if Harvard releases one wave of decisions, or if it is ongoing throughout the day.

 

[MPHer2018]

Hi! Sorry I don't have advice, but when did you get into OHSU-PSU? I got an e-mail from them this morning regarding Financial aid/portal access and got excited but no official acceptance yet.

I was accepted at the end of January (1/22) and I applied in early nov (11/8), with everything verified 11/11. I got emails from them prior to my acceptance concerning financial aid. But I've gone to OHSU and spoken to the director of the program and she let me know that funding/scholarships are very limited. Mostly likely, like other graduate programs, you will be awarded a 20,500 in unsub and the rest will be in a Graduate PLUS Loan. Hope this helps!

 

[MPHer2018]

I don't have experience with those programs, but I recently asked for guidance from a faculty member at my research institution. He told me if I wanted to go into academia, choosing a higher ranked school might help with getting into a PhD/DrPH program. He also mentioned that it is worth visiting the schools to gauge how well you fit into the program, if they have appropriate mentors who fit your research interests, and the other students around you, among other things. I'd agree with the other person who responded to you that going to UMN, if you have little to no debt afterwards, would be the better choice based on your career trajectory afterwards!

Thanks! This is really helpful. I don't plan on going into academia, but you never know. I will be visiting UMN soon and will keep this in mind as I explore.

 

[numbersloth]

Just got admission from Harvard!!! (Epidemiology SM80)

IMG, 3years work experience, half year research experience, 3 strong LOR
SOPHAS GPA: 3.73 GRE: 156V/167Q/3.5AW

Did you hear just now or in the morning?

 

[peachplumpear85]

Did anyone who heard back from Harvard's SM 80 in epi apply to infectious disease epi?

 

[Keenonepi]

Did you hear just now or in the morning?

I received the email telling me to check my.harvard one hour ago

 

[numbersloth]

If it makes any difference, I haven't heard from Harvard's SM 80 in epi and I have a last name basically at the end of the alphabet, which may be how their ordering it.

 

[MPHer2018]

Not only is UMN highly ranked and more prestigious, it's epi program is very strong and the community there is great. I really loved the sound of UMN's mentorship program, and the Twin Cities are supposedly among the best places to live in the country. I'd go with UMN without question. I don't think you'll feel like the program is too big for you either.

Thanks for your input! This is really helpful, I don't know anyone that has gone to UMN for their MPH and have little insight into anything other than what is posted on their website. I love UMN for all those same reasons. I'll get a better feel for the community, the program, and opportunities during/post grad once I visit.

 

[mrmeeseekslookatme]

Whelp, I received my application complete email way longer than 6 weeks ago 😛. Guess I will just have to wait it out! Thank you for your input and congrats again!

Don’t stress too much! I think the decision process is pretty random tbh.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[numbersloth]

Thanks for your input! This is really helpful, I don't know anyone that has gone to UMN for their MPH and have little insight into anything other than what is posted on their website. I love UMN for all those same reasons. I'll get a better feel for the community, the program, and opportunities during/post grad once I visit.

UMN also has great statistics programs across the board (biostats, econometrics, pure stats, quant psych) so you'll definitely get amazing quantitative skills there.

 

[runsdmph]

I was accepted at the end of January (1/22) and I applied in early nov (11/8), with everything verified 11/11. I got emails from them prior to my acceptance concerning financial aid. But I've gone to OHSU and spoken to the director of the program and she let me know that funding/scholarships are very limited. Mostly likely, like other graduate programs, you will be awarded a 20,500 in unsub and the rest will be in a Graduate PLUS Loan. Hope this helps!

Super helpful! Thanks 🙂

 

[idepi]

If it makes any difference, I haven't heard from Harvard's SM 80 in epi and I have a last name basically at the end of the alphabet, which may be how their ordering it.

Also haven’t heard back for the SM80 (infectious disease epi), last name in the middle of the alphabet, but applied pretty close to or on the day of the deadline so maybe that’s why?

 

[NardwuarKnowsEverything]

Don’t stress too much! I think the decision process is pretty random tbh.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, I really appreciate it! Trying not to stress is going to be a challenge, but I'll see what I can do 😛. As a quick question, do you know when UCB's admitted students day is? The website says around mid-March, but doesn't give a specific date. In the event that I am fortunate enough to get in, I would like to plan ahead, if at all possible to accommodate my work schedule.

 

[Ebb55]

I'm flying to Boston tomorrow morning for BU's accepted students day on Saturday -- would it be weird/inappropriate to email Harvard admissions to ask if they can tell me my whether or not I got in? Just so that I can visit campus while I'm already gonna be in Boston. I'm just not sure if it'll look bad

Contacting adcoms to specifically ask if you’re in or not is inappropriate. You can ask the timeline for releasing decisions but not if you’ve been accepted/rejected. I think you should visit Harvard since you’ll be in the city anyway

 

[grapesandstrawberries]

Contacting adcoms to specifically ask if you’re in or not is inappropriate. You can ask the timeline for releasing decisions but not if you’ve been accepted/rejected. I think you should visit Harvard since you’ll be in the city anyway

@nannams
I think it's appropriate in some situations, we did pay application fee. I wouldn't necessary word the question asking if you're "accepted or rejected" but phrase it in a different way. I got my decision (an acceptance!) from the admissions officer at a school the day after contacting adcoms asking if I would be able to have a decision for that particular school soon, because my SO got accepted there for medical school and we were planning on visiting in upcoming weeks. They probably had the decision made and haven't released, but wanted to be nice to accommodate my needs by letting me know upon my request. I'm sure it depends on the situation/school.

 

[lilycat123]

Thanks, I really appreciate it! Trying not to stress is going to be a challenge, but I'll see what I can do 😛. As a quick question, do you know when UCB's admitted students day is? The website says around mid-March, but doesn't give a specific date. In the event that I am fortunate enough to get in, I would like to plan ahead, if at all possible to accommodate my work schedule.

UCB's admitted students day is on March 19th

 

[wanttobeOB]

Just got accepted into Harvard's SM 80 Global Health & Population! I was reading admitted student's day is March 23, but I don't see where to sign up on my.Harvard. DO any of you know what to do?

 

[Dmohr21]

Well I got into Wisconsin's MS in EPI program. Now I am torn between Wisconsin, Emory, and Yale. Wisconsin would be great because I would maintain in-state tuition status but it's Wisconsin. We aren't really known for a lot of great public health stuff. Emory is close to the CDC which is amazing because I want to work there one day but it's far from home. Yale is great because I want to go on to either PA school or go on to earn a PhD and they are an amazing school as far as helping people move on to the next step education wise but they cost an arm and a leg and an eyeball.

 

[VAa]

My Harvard portal still has no updates. Anyone in the same situation ?

Same here. Man do they play hard to get...

 

[Cassatrass]

Well I got into Wisconsin's MS in EPI program. Now I am torn between Wisconsin, Emory, and Yale. Wisconsin would be great because I would maintain in-state tuition status but it's Wisconsin. We aren't really known for a lot of great public health stuff. Emory is close to the CDC which is amazing because I want to work there one day but it's far from home. Yale is great because I want to go on to either PA school or go on to earn a PhD and they are an amazing school as far as helping people move on to the next step education wise but they cost an arm and a leg and an eyeball.

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.

 

[andrew_SH]

Has anybody from MPH-environmental health heard back from Harvard?

 

[numbersloth]

Just got accepted into Harvard's SM 80 Global Health & Population! I was reading admitted student's day is March 23, but I don't see where to sign up on my.Harvard. DO any of you know what to do?

Did you get an email or were you checking the portal?

 

[Sunflowerz]

Just got accepted into Harvard's SM 80 Global Health & Population! I was reading admitted student's day is March 23, but I don't see where to sign up on my.Harvard. DO any of you know what to do?

Hey! congrats 🙂 so they told me that they haven't sent anything around about admit day, but that we will get an email with instructions (I found out a few weeks ago about SM 80 global health and I don't even have an admit day sign up yet.... so may still be a bit lol)

 

[NardwuarKnowsEverything]

UCB's admitted students day is on March 19th

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

 

[vodkaaunt]

Reading a lot of posts on deferrals..... I am now starting to think about it. I currently work for a start-up (cancer informatics) that I've been with since its early stages, and my boss is offering equity for me to stay for at least another year. It's doing really well and the pay I'm currently getting is pretty good. However I know I want to pursue more education and have different goals than just staying in the business sector. It's just so tempting to stay because I started this job just last year when I graduated from college when I was barely 22 and I would love to grow with the company a little more. At the same time I feel like if I take a break I'll be too distracted to go back or be carried away from my original plans. Are there any older students with good advice on taking 1+ year off?

I graduated when I was 21, had been rejected from the PhD programs I applied to (clinical psych is so competitive..), and started working instead. By the time I leave to start my program this year I'll have worked at my job for almost 3 years. I'm really happy I worked instead. It helped me save some money and get experience. Plus I got to learn how to be an adult and not a student. Going back to school now feels more like I'm doing it for career advancement instead of just staying in school because I don't know what to do. (I also learned that I no longer wanted to go into clinical psych or get a PhD, hence why I'm on this forum lol.) However leaving school does make it hard to go back....I don't miss doing work past 5 pm :/

It's different than your situation since I hadn't applied anywhere and didn't have deferrals to worry about. You'll have to see what feels right for you, but in my situation I was really happy about working. I hope this helps a little.

 

[numbersloth]

I graduated when I was 21, had been rejected from the PhD programs I applied to (clinical psych is so competitive..), and started working instead. By the time I leave to start my program this year I'll have worked at my job for almost 3 years. I'm really happy I worked instead. It helped me save some money and get experience. Plus I got to learn how to be an adult and not a student. Going back to school now feels more like I'm doing it for career advancement instead of just staying in school because I don't know what to do. (I also learned that I no longer wanted to go into clinical psych or get a PhD, hence why I'm on this forum lol.) However leaving school does make it hard to go back....I don't miss doing work past 5 pm :/

It's different than your situation since I hadn't applied anywhere and didn't have deferrals to worry about. You'll have to see what feels right for you, but in my situation I was really happy about working. I hope this helps a little.

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.

 

[numbersloth]

Reading a lot of posts on deferrals..... I am now starting to think about it. I currently work for a start-up (cancer informatics) that I've been with since its early stages, and my boss is offering equity for me to stay for at least another year. It's doing really well and the pay I'm currently getting is pretty good. However I know I want to pursue more education and have different goals than just staying in the business sector. It's just so tempting to stay because I started this job just last year when I graduated from college when I was barely 22 and I would love to grow with the company a little more. At the same time I feel like if I take a break I'll be too distracted to go back or be carried away from my original plans. Are there any older students with good advice on taking 1+ year off?

From my perspective, schools aren't giving me aid and I don't qualify for need-based, and I have a good job lined up that I can potentially save some money to help pay for my education - seems like a win/win. In addition, I do believe my job will give me both technical and business skills that will eventually be helpful no matter what my career.

 

[Ebb55]

Anyone still waiting for Michigan health policy/management?

 

[guybrush]

Reading a lot of posts on deferrals..... I am now starting to think about it. I currently work for a start-up (cancer informatics) that I've been with since its early stages, and my boss is offering equity for me to stay for at least another year. It's doing really well and the pay I'm currently getting is pretty good. However I know I want to pursue more education and have different goals than just staying in the business sector. It's just so tempting to stay because I started this job just last year when I graduated from college when I was barely 22 and I would love to grow with the company a little more. At the same time I feel like if I take a break I'll be too distracted to go back or be carried away from my original plans. Are there any older students with good advice on taking 1+ year off?

As a 22 or 23 year old deferring for a year is not a big deal. BUT, the sad reality is degrees are credentials, and the earlier you have a graduate degree, the faster you move up the track. I've waited too long to go back to school and watched objectively less qualified colleagues move up because of the symbolic weight the M.Whatever holds.

 

[pusheen323]

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!

 

[numbersloth]

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!

I was accepted to UMich Epi in December and still haven't heard anything about scholarships

 

[wwmmkk]

Reading a lot of posts on deferrals..... I am now starting to think about it. I currently work for a start-up (cancer informatics) that I've been with since its early stages, and my boss is offering equity for me to stay for at least another year. It's doing really well and the pay I'm currently getting is pretty good. However I know I want to pursue more education and have different goals than just staying in the business sector. It's just so tempting to stay because I started this job just last year when I graduated from college when I was barely 22 and I would love to grow with the company a little more. At the same time I feel like if I take a break I'll be too distracted to go back or be carried away from my original plans. Are there any older students with good advice on taking 1+ year off?

I think for your situation, I'd encourage you to go now unless (1) you're worried about having enough money saved to make it through your degree or (2) you don't have a specific idea about what you'd like to be doing after your MPH. I'm on the older side and kind of regret not going back to school earlier. I advanced in a different career and now will be back at the bottom of the ladder(ish) in public health.

In general, I do think deferrals and gap years can be a good idea for many people. I had 6 years between undergrad and my MPH, and those 6 years really helped me learn how to be an adult and how to treat school as primarily professional development and secondarily as a place to explore intellectually and socially (which is what I think undergrad is and should be for most people). I am able to stay motivated through my MPH (and hopefully through a PhD) because I know exactly what problems and questions I want to work on/answer during my career. I'm not saying an MPH can't be used for exploration, but I think having a concrete endgame is very important. I would really discourage any younger person from going to any sort of grad school without a very clear idea of their end goal, especially if they are incurring debt to do so.

(edited for grammar)

 

[wwmmkk]

Contacting adcoms to specifically ask if you’re in or not is inappropriate. You can ask the timeline for releasing decisions but not if you’ve been accepted/rejected. I think you should visit Harvard since you’ll be in the city anyway

I am not sure how to word what I want to say about Harvard delicately enough for this forum, so I will just say that I would STRONGLY advise you @nannams not to contact them with this question. It may fly at other schools, but Harvard is not the place to try it no matter how frustrated by waiting you may be. But do contact them to see if you can arrange a visit if you'll be in the area anyway.

 

[nannams]

I am not sure how to word what I want to say about Harvard delicately enough for this forum, so I will just say that I would STRONGLY advise you @nannams not to contact them with this question. It may fly at other schools, but Harvard is not the place to try it no matter how frustrated by waiting you may be. But do contact them to see if you can arrange a visit if you'll be in the area anyway.

yeah the more i thought about it i decided not to contact them. Just seems too risky

 

[pusheen323]

I was accepted to UMich Epi in December and still haven't heard anything about scholarships

Well let’s hope that we hear something soon then