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

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
This whole process has made me kind of obsessive haha. I remember undergrad had a “decision day” and you got your financial aid package around the same time as acceptance letter. I really prefer that system.Grad school process has been so random! I’m looking at previous forums and others were hearing back in April about admissions! No time to make decisions whatsoever
Haha I remember March being one of the most stressful months of my senior year because that's when I heard from all of the schools I applied to. April was the month of admitted student events, and my school allowed seniors to take some days off to travel to colleges for the admitted student weekends. May 1st was decision day and by that time, we heard from all of the finaincial aid info from our schools and was able to make a rational and informed decision about which school to go to. I agree with you; the application and decision period for undergrad felt more organized and there was a lot of hands on assistance I received from my high school. I'm lucky to have heard from all of my schools by February, but maybe that's also because I didn't apply to as many schools as I did for undergrad. lol 😛
 
Hi all, what is everyone's opinions on how attractive a Columbia MPH vs. JHU MPH is for healthcare consulting? I ask because at this point, my decision between the two schools comes down to personal fit and how easily I will be able to secure a job afterwards. Thanks for your input!
 
Does anyone spend the weekend (or any free time lol) just looking through previous years Applied-Accepted-Waitlist-Rejected forums for some kind of entertainment or something to do during the post-acceptance/admission period while waiting on financial aid packages? No? Just me? Okay. 😛
It’s also gotten to the point I actually look forward to Monday’s now 🙁
 
This is probably a dumb question but for Emory, are our finaincial aid packages going to be included in the admission packages that were recently sent out? Or are the finaincial aid information going to be sent to us through email?

I received my admissions packet yesterday and it just had the gift they sent and my admissions letter and a little pamphlet. No financial aid information, unfortunately!
 
Last edited:
I’ve read through the 2014 - 2017 forums so many times! They have been an incredibly useful resource. Hope all our experiences this year will also help future batches of MPH applicants.
I'm hoping the same thing! The application process was pretty stressful, esepcially at the beginning working on my essays and worrying about my test scores holding me back, but in the end, it was worth it. 🙂
 
Last edited:
NYMC was honest with me and said I’m better off applying to another concentration and gave me the chance to do so (this was also within a week span) so I think I should hear back next week. Mount Sinai probably the same too then. Thanks! How long did UAlbany take you?
I heard back from UAlbany Jan 22 and I applied the same time as NYMC
 
  • Like
Reactions: x0n
Does everyone get an award from BU? is that how they get you?
I don’t think it’s everyone. I do think they’re a little more generous with scholarships than some schools because of the high tuition costs and living expenses though. I may be completely wrong about this, but I feel like they give scholarships out based a lot on GRE scores. Minus a few exemtptions. Just a pattern I’ve noticed that may or may not be correct. But they definitely don’t give the same amount to everyone. I’ve seen award ranges from a few thousand up to 20k (some people might have gotten more, that’s just the highest amount I’ve seen).
 
Is anyone else still waiting on MPH decisions from UCLA? (I applied for HPM).

That portal message that says: “To date, no decision has been made on your application. Please note that most decisions on graduate admissions for fall term are made in the months of March and April and therefore you should not anticipate a decision much before that time period.” Is just KILLING ME If I get in, I really want to visit the campus cause MN -> CA feels like a big change but I get the feeling that I might not know until after Admitted Students Day :/

I believe there are two admit days: 3/2 and another in April, although I am not sure the exact date. Hopefully you'll hear back by then!
 
Called Yale today to ask when they'll be sending out admissions notifications since it's been over 6 weeks since they emailed me saying my application is complete and they said I have to wait another 2 weeks:eyebrow:
 
Does everyone get an award from BU? is that how they get you?
I think the vast majority of people get something from BU. I would say BU, Brown, GWU, NYU, and probably some others are somewhat guilty of listing a high tuition price and then giving most admits an award. This builds interest (everyone likes to feel wanted and like they've earned something) and makes the end price of tuition for most people comparable to other schools that don't give as many awards. This is why I reaaaaally encourage people to price everything out before committing. Just because a school gave you a scholarship does not make it the best financial choice.
 
I just got a phone call from an admissions coordinator at UIllinois Chicago. He told me I was accepted and then apologized, saying that he was sorry he couldn't send more information at this time, but that Admissions preferred to send out decisions in batches, and it's not yet time for the next batch.

I wanted to mention it here because I thought that this was "above and beyond" behavior - it gives me a really good impression of the school off the bat, to be so considerate of applicants. 🙂
 
I think the vast majority of people get something from BU. I would say BU, Brown, GWU, NYU, and probably some others are somewhat guilty of listing a high tuition price and then giving most admits an award. This builds interest (everyone likes to feel wanted and like they've earned something) and makes the end price of tuition for most people comparable to other schools that don't give as many awards. This is why I reaaaaally encourage people to price everything out before committing. Just because a school gave you a scholarship does not make it the best financial choice.
Yes! If you're new to the thread, a few pages back I posted the total tuition+fees+insurance for many of the programs, which could be a good reference for understanding what the scholarship means. (edit: I reposted it a couple comments down for easy access)
 
Last edited:
Here's the tuition post I created:
Hey guys--
I calculated the total cost for many of the schools, including their health insurance and all their fees based off the most recently available numbers online and assuming a 2-year program:
NYU-- $89,904
Yale-- $95,081
Emory-- $73,458
Columbia-- $85,037
UMich (out-of-state)-- $96,384
BU-- $84,376
UMN (in-state)-- $53,140
Brown-- $94,183
Vanderbilt-- $60,244
GWU-- $76,526
Hopkins MSPH (including 75% off yr 2)-- $74,611

I'm not 100% sure on Harvard since their tuition page had me a little twisted, but I think 3-semesters for MPH-65 is $80,577

This took me quite a while to compile, so hopefully this gives everyone at least a good estimate for their programs!
 
I just got a phone call from an admissions coordinator at UIllinois Chicago. He told me I was accepted and then apologized, saying that he was sorry he couldn't send more information at this time, but that Admissions preferred to send out decisions in batches, and it's not yet time for the next batch.

I wanted to mention it here because I thought that this was "above and beyond" behavior - it gives me a really good impression of the school off the bat, to be so considerate of applicants. 🙂


Congratulations!!! Did you apply to the MS or MPH program?
 
Congratulations!!! Did you apply to the MS or MPH program?
Thank you :happy: I applied to the MPH program, concentration epidemiology.

I still haven't heard anything from Harvard.. assuming at this point that I'm going to be rejected.

I haven't heard anything either, mate. No news is...not yet bad news! (Or at least that's how I choose to look at it. 😉 )
 
I just contacted JHU admissions office moments ago asking for informations about my application, and they said they are sending decisions email by tomorrow morning, decision status will also be available on the portal page after 5PM today eastern standard time. Totally freaking out right now! anyone who hasn't heard from JHU, brace yourselves!
(I'm applying for the MSPH in International Health [Health systems])
 
Congratulations!!! Do you mind sharing your stats?

I still haven't heard anything from Harvard.. assuming at this point that I'm going to be rejected.

No reason to assume anything really. No matter how unlikely it seems to you, stranger things must surely have happened. There's nothing like getting in somewhere when you least expected it right?
 
No reason to assume anything really. No matter how unlikely it seems to you, stranger things must surely have happened. There's nothing like getting in somewhere when you least expected it right?
I don't think anyone on here has heard back from some of the tracks (MPH global health for sure and maybe others?) so it seems highly unlikely that they're entirely done sending admission offers already.
 
I just contacted JHU admissions office moments ago asking for informations about my application, and they said they are sending decisions email by tomorrow morning, decision status will also be available on the portal page after 5PM today eastern standard time. Totally freaking out right now! anyone who hasn't heard from JHU, brace yourselves!
(I'm applying for the MSPH in International Health [Health systems])

Is this for all programs or only International Health? I would really like to hear back from MPH so I decide what I'm doing!
 
No reason to assume anything really. No matter how unlikely it seems to you, stranger things must surely have happened. There's nothing like getting in somewhere when you least expected it right?
Also I'm pretty sure that the whole department for MPH Global Health and MPH Environmental hasn't released decisions yet for anyone. I'm hoping for the best since it's too soon to jump to conclusions. I saw people getting into Harvard the third week of March after going through last year's and 2016's forum...so don't lose hope! Good luck all! Hope they release decisions soon!
 
Just received the Emory acceptance package and, as someone else mentioned, there isn't any fin aid info but still a nice little package!


On a scale of 1-10, how desperate is it to bring the Emory portfolio to their Admitted Students Day to take notes? :laugh:
 
Is there any precedent for successfully leveraging a scholarship with Hopkins? I was at BU this weekend (I'm in the MS program) and was asking about the timeline for merit based scholarship decisions, and was advised to contact the department now saying I already had a merit based offer as it's easier to allocate funds now rather than reallocate later. Should I bother leveraging with Hopkins (and if so do it now or wait until after I've received my package) or just be happy with 75% off the second year? Thoughts?
 
Just received the Emory acceptance package and, as someone else mentioned, there isn't any fin aid info but still a nice little package!


On a scale of 1-10, how desperate is it to bring the Emory portfolio to their Admitted Students Day to take notes? :laugh:
What was in it?
 
Is there any precedent for successfully leveraging a scholarship with Hopkins? I was at BU this weekend (I'm in the MS program) and was asking about the timeline for merit based scholarship decisions, and was advised to contact the department now saying I already had a merit based offer as it's easier to allocate funds now rather than reallocate later. Should I bother leveraging with Hopkins (and if so do it now or wait until after I've received my package) or just be happy with 75% off the second year? Thoughts?

What department are you in at Hopkins? I had a call this morning with them and they said there are no scholarships available for the Health Policy department. My impression (which could be wrong) is that there are far fewer scholarships, if any, for the MS programs vs MPH. You might try calling them to find out if there are scholarships available and if so when those decisions are made.
 
What department are you in at Hopkins? I had a call this morning with them and they said there are no scholarships available for the Health Policy department. My impression (which could be wrong) is that there are far fewer scholarships, if any, for the MS programs vs MPH. You might try calling them to find out if there are scholarships available and if so when those decisions are made.
Thanks! I'm in the Global Disease Epidemiology & Control Program. Were you leveraging another offer or just calling for info?
 
Thanks! I'm in the Global Disease Epidemiology & Control Program. Were you leveraging another offer or just calling for info?

I was just getting info. After I was admitted the department reached out and offered to have a call to discuss the program.
 
Just got into Boston University MPH/MBA program with $50K/year scholarship. Did not consider BU at all, but now the money totally changed the game! Any inputs on BU MPH/MBA vs Columbia 1-year MPH in health management? Thanks!
I also just got into the MPH/MBA program and am admitted to Columbia as well, though not the accelerated program.

I think it really depends on what you want your career trajectory to be. Boston is a hub for healthcare and biotech but less so for major consulting firms. However, from what others have told me, consulting firms prefer MBAs over MPHs. Boston MBA for health management is top 10 so although the name is not as impressive, it is still a top school.
 
Received a scholarship notice from Mt. Sinai today! Still a bit on the pricier end of things with the scholarship, but likely attending the admitted students day if I can get approval from my manager!

I haven’t heard from them yet. Do they give good scholarship or funding aid?
 
Just got into Boston University MPH/MBA program with $50K/year scholarship. Did not consider BU at all, but now the money totally changed the game! Any inputs on BU MPH/MBA vs Columbia 1-year MPH in health management? Thanks!
Wow CONGRATS!! That's so awesome 🙂
 
I also just got into the MPH/MBA program and am admitted to Columbia as well, though not the accelerated program.

I think it really depends on what you want your career trajectory to be. Boston is a hub for healthcare and biotech but less so for major consulting firms. However, from what others have told me, consulting firms prefer MBAs over MPHs. Boston MBA for health management is top 10 so although the name is not as impressive, it is still a top school.

Thank you for your inputs!
I am leaning towards to the BU MPH/MBA program now. My career goal is to work in VC/PEs focus on healthcare/biotech sector. With the MPH/MBA program, I will have time to do interns, which might be extremely important for people like me who has no prior work experience. Plus, I personally value MBA a bit more than MPH. Also, 50K annual scholarship essentially cover 100% tuition, though I do not care too much about the cost at this stage. But on the other hand, Columbia is a big name and may open many doors for me.
Still waiting for Harvard 45-credit MPH in health management, hope I can get it so that I will have a much easier decision to make.
 
I haven’t heard from them yet. Do they give good scholarship or funding aid?

Best of luck to you! The scholarship I received was a decent amount, message me if you'd like to know the package. Their website says they offer a limited # of merit-based scholarships between $5k-$15k for those who applied by Feb 1. Not sure how many they offer after that day, though!
 
Top