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

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I was told the same things via email today. Financial aid within the month and I'm not a finalist either. I'm holding out for them because I really like their program. They don't seem very proactive though. If they have only chosen finalists for one scholarship they offer on March 5th then I can't imagine that they are rushing to send out other scholarship notifications either.

I was waiting to see about funding, since it was my third choice and the farthest away from home/family. Now that I know I didn’t get any scholarships (and was told verbally that given my situation I would only qualify for loans), it didn’t make sense for me anymore.
 
Yeah, I'm more worried that it's indicative it won't be be an enriching/challenging environment. That's interesting you felt the same way! After my visit I wrote it off, then was worried I was being too harsh (I know I didn't always seem like the model PH student in undergrad in my morning classes), but I don't know. This is hard! Haha

For sure hard. For me it’s between Yale and Columbia, which have very different environments. Yale seems to be hands on with their students, and students seemed engaged and happy, but I’m worried about the lack of opportunities for alumni connections/jobs/social life due to it being small and in a small town (opposite of my feelings about Columbia). My boss told me to compare curriculums side by side, and to be honest about my expenses for school and what they would mean for my future. Planning on sitting down and writing that out this week.
 
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For anyone waiting on the “official” acceptance from UIC, just got mine via email right now.
 
For sure hard. For me it’s between Yale and Columbia, which have very different environments. Yale seems to be hands on with their students, and students seemed engaged and happy, but I’m worried about the lack of opportunities for alumni connections/jobs/social life due to it being small and in a small town (opposite of my feelings about Columbia). My boss told me to compare curriculums side by side, and to be honest about my expenses for school and what they would mean for my future. Planning on sitting down and writing that out this week.
I have been very impressed with Yale's career services. Yale is situated in between Boston and New York, so we have very easy access to connections in these two major cities. Yale also runs career treks to cities like Boston, NY, and Washington DC a few times a year to offer additional networking opportunities. In my opinion, it is also much easier to make close connections with faculty and gain access to networking through them in a smaller school setting as there are plenty of opportunities to get to know professors. Additionally, Yale's job placement or further education acceptance statistics are great post MPH, and I definitely see truth in the stats as my peers are gaining acceptance to PhD programs and medical schools and accepting amazing job offers. I will also point out that New Haven, where Yale is, is a city, not a town, so you will be living in an urban area with plenty of social opportunities. Of course, it is not nearly as big or bustling as NYC, but it is definitely still a city.
 
You're right, it was. I haven't been offered any scholarships from them or received my financial aid. Since I've seen people on here receive the REAL award I assume it doesn't have anything to do with being offered the REAL award? Seems a little rude hah


I do not! :/

I've only seen posts from people who have gotten merit packages that contain REAL scholarship. My assumption was that more REAL scholarships will be sent out with financial aid letters sometime this month. Am I wrong? I read on the website that the eligibility for REAL scholarships is determined by the fin aid office.

"Eligibility is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and is based on when students submitted a completed FAFSA (and is awarded first-come, first-serve)."
 
I've only seen posts from people who have gotten merit packages that contain REAL scholarship. My assumption was that more REAL scholarships will be sent out with financial aid letters sometime this month. Am I wrong? I read on the website that the eligibility for REAL scholarships is determined by the fin aid office.

"Eligibility is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and is based on when students submitted a completed FAFSA (and is awarded first-come, first-serve)."
Ooh, that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying! Sorry for the confusion!
 
I was told the same things via email today. Financial aid within the month and I'm not a finalist either. I'm holding out for them because I really like their program. They don't seem very proactive though. If they have only chosen finalists for one scholarship they offer on March 5th then I can't imagine that they are rushing to send out other scholarship notifications either.
same here..........but was told that more funding opportunities will be available before the end of this week!!!.....keeping my fingers crossed bcos i really do like/love the school and program!!!!
 
I have been very impressed with Yale's career services. Yale is situated in between Boston and New York, so we have very easy access to connections in these two major cities. Yale also runs career treks to cities like Boston, NY, and Washington DC a few times a year to offer additional networking opportunities. In my opinion, it is also much easier to make close connections with faculty and gain access to networking through them in a smaller school setting as there are plenty of opportunities to get to know professors. Additionally, Yale's job placement or further education acceptance statistics are great post MPH, and I definitely see truth in the stats as my peers are gaining acceptance to PhD programs and medical schools and accepting amazing job offers. I will also point out that New Haven, where Yale is, is a city, not a town, so you will be living in an urban area with plenty of social opportunities. Of course, it is not nearly as big or bustling as NYC, but it is definitely still a city.
Thanks so much for this!! Would you mind if I PM’d you with a few more questions?
 
Hey All...anyone heard anything about the Bloomberg Fellowship at JHU for 2018? I know that recipients were announced last year mid-March, but I can't wait!
 
I've only seen posts from people who have gotten merit packages that contain REAL scholarship. My assumption was that more REAL scholarships will be sent out with financial aid letters sometime this month. Am I wrong? I read on the website that the eligibility for REAL scholarships is determined by the fin aid office.

"Eligibility is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and is based on when students submitted a completed FAFSA (and is awarded first-come, first-serve)."

Yes, that is correct. REAL awards (for students not receiving merit aid) come out in the financial aid packages, and I believe 50% of students are offered REAL if I remember correctly.

Though, to be honest, it pays $12 an hour, and if you're proactive and have any work history, you might be able to find part time public health work experience without REAL that pays better.

REAL basically seems to be little more than a job-matching program, one in which the school is able to incentivize employers because Rollins pays half the student's wages.

To me, this has pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you're almost guaranteed to find work with little effort, and that work could feed into your practicum and eventually capstone. On the minus side, you'll be placed in one of a few dozen organizations that has grown accustomed to Rollins students and may have very entrenched ideas about how to use you ("Great, another Emory kid! I'll put them on data entry like the last one.")

On another note, be careful calling REAL a "scholarship." The reason I say this: the money does not go toward tuition remission; it's a straight-up paycheck. That means, a) you earn as you go (still gotta take out loans if tuition is due at the beginning of the semester!), and b) it is TAXABLE INCOME (April 15, 2018 may be decision day, but April 15, 2019 is tax day!).
 
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Yes, that is correct. REAL awards (for students not receiving merit aid) come out in the financial aid packages, and I believe 50% of students are offered REAL if I remember correctly.

Though, to be honest, it pays $12 an hour, and if you're proactive and have any work history, you might be able to find part time public health work experience without REAL that pays better.

REAL basically seems to be little more than a job-matching program, one in which the school is able to incentivize employers because Rollins pays half the student's wages.

To me, this has pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you're almost guaranteed to find work with little effort, and that work could feed into your practicum and eventually capstone. On the minus side, you'll be placed in one of a few dozen organizations that has grown accustomed to Rollins students and may have very entrenched ideas about how to use you ("Great, another Emory kid! I'll put them on data entry like the last one.")

On another note, be careful calling REAL a "scholarship." The reason I say this: the money does not go toward tuition remission; it's a straight-up paycheck. That means, a) you earn as you go (still gotta take out loans if tuition is due at the beginning of the semester!), and b) it is TAXABLE INCOME (April 15, 2018 may be decision day, but April 15, 2019 is tax day!).

Finally, since I'm currently listening to the BSHE webinar and it came up, REAL is awarded first come, first served (it sounds like in the order that applicants complete their FAFSA, even though need is not factor in the award).
 
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Yes, that is correct. REAL awards (for students not receiving merit aid) come out in the financial aid packages, and I believe 50% of students are offered REAL if I remember correctly.

Though, to be honest, it pays $12 an hour, and if you're proactive and have any work history, you might be able to find part time public health work experience without REAL that pays better.

REAL basically seems to be little more than a job-matching program, one in which the school is able to incentivize employers because Rollins pays half the student's wages.

To me, this has pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you're almost guaranteed to find work with little effort, and that work could feed into your practicum and eventually capstone. On the minus side, you'll be placed in one of a few dozen organizations that has grown accustomed to Rollins students and may have very entrenched ideas about how to use you ("Great, another Emory kid! I'll put them on data entry like the last one.")

On another note, be careful calling REAL a "scholarship." The reason I say this: the money does not go toward tuition remission; it's a straight-up paycheck. That means, a) you earn as you go (still gotta take out loans if tuition is due at the beginning of the semester!), and b) it is TAXABLE INCOME (April 15, 2018 may be decision day, but April 15, 2019 is tax day!).

Yes! Totally meant REAL award but had a brain fart when I was writing that.

I totally agree with your thoughts- I don't see this opportunity as a way to earn income but rather being matched to a cool job at CDC or on-campus. I have extensive coding and research experience and I get paid more than 12/hr at my current job. I feel like I would need to get a second job off-campus if I actually want to make enough money to eat.
 
Just talked to an academic coordinator at Harvard. She said that an admissions chair is putting in decisions today, and many will receive their decisions today once the admissions process is completed. I applied for 60-SM in biostat. Good luck guys!
 
Yes! Totally meant REAL award but had a brain fart when I was writing that.

I totally agree with your thoughts- I don't see this opportunity as a way to earn income but rather being matched to a cool job at CDC or on-campus. I have extensive coding and research experience and I get paid more than 12/hr at my current job. I feel like I would need to get a second job off-campus if I actually want to make enough money to eat.

It's just something I was disappointed to learn, because I'd personally rather have the non-taxable tuition remission than a paycheck.

Also, it sounds like there are 200 (!) REAL positions at CDC, so it's a great fit if you're looking to work-study there (as the CDC would be the one exception to my statement...with that many placements, and the Emory affiliation, I doubt they take Rollins MPH students externally to REAL).

Either way, REAL is something you can apply for semester-by-semester. It seems like safe, guaranteed money and experience for first semester as you/I/we/they figure out what's feasible with regard to work.
 
Just got accepted to UNC’s MSPH-to-PHD in Epi via email. That means I got accepted to 12/12 programs I applied to. I never thought that would happen! Now I’m just waiting for financial aid decisions and taking some time to think about things. Im mostly debating between UMich and JHU. Thanks to everyone for the help throughout this process 🙂
 
Just got accepted to UNC’s MSPH-to-PHD in Epi via email. That means I got accepted to 12/12 programs I applied to. I never thought that would happen! Now I’m just waiting for financial aid decisions and taking some time to think about things. Im mostly debating between UMich and JHU. Thanks to everyone for the help throughout this process 🙂
I'm also debating between UMich and JHU (and still waiting on Harvard). Do you have any pros and cons you've come up with so far to share?
 
I'm also debating between UMich and JHU (and still waiting on Harvard). Do you have any pros and cons you've come up with so far to share?
Sure! Below you’ll find my list at this point in time. Please share yours as well!
Pros
UMich: top-ranked program, many opportunities for research, friendly faculty, opportunities to continue there for my PhD, nice location, would get significantly cheaper second year since I could get in-state tuition.

JHU: arguably the best program in the nation, far more research oriented (I applied to the MHS in Epi here, rather than the MPH), guaranteed 75% tuition scholarship second year.

Cons
UMich: harsh winters (I’m from CA).

JHU: really expensive, kind of a crappy city (as far as I’ve heard).
 
Sure! Below you’ll find my list at this point in time. Please share yours as well!
Pros
UMich: top-ranked program, many opportunities for research, friendly faculty, opportunities to continue there for my PhD, nice location, would get significantly cheaper second year since I could get in-state tuition.

JHU: arguably the best program in the nation, far more research oriented (I applied to the MHS in Epi here, rather than the MPH), guaranteed 75% tuition scholarship second year.

Cons
UMich: harsh winters (I’m from CA).

JHU: really expensive, kind of a crappy city (as far as I’ve heard).
I calculated out the MSPH with tuition reduction to be much less expensive than UMich (unless you got a scholarship)! $74,611 vs $96,384 including tuition, fees, and health insurance.
 
Just talked to an academic coordinator at Harvard. She said that an admissions chair is putting in decisions today, and many will receive their decisions today once the admissions process is completed. I applied for 60-SM in biostat. Good luck guys!

I applied to the same program and im still waitin
 
I'm still weighing the option of splitting accepted student days (Emory on 22nd and UNC on 23rd).

Would anyone visiting Emory on that Friday be willing to report back, and possibly upload any printed materials from day? I'm particularly interested in the following sessions:
- Career Development
- BSHE Department Session
- Research & Opportunity Fair

I would bake you cookies... 🙂
 
I calculated out the MSPH with tuition reduction to be much less expensive than UMich (unless you got a scholarship)! $74,611 vs $96,384 including tuition, fees, and health insurance.
Thank you! Does this include the fact that I may get in-state tutition for UMich for the second year?
 
I had a full ride to my undergrad university and I've never dealt with loans- so I have a question about loans to those who have experience!

I just got a financial aid letter from BU that includes merit+need-based+"federal direct loan" which comes out to $45,000 per year(with remaining scholarship amount that can be applicable to the 2019-2020 academic year) and they're saying my net cost to attend 2018-2019 is $25,837. Is the "federal direct loan" the same thing as "direct PLUS loan"? In other words how the heck am I supposed to pay $25,837 while I'm in school??
 
I had a full ride to my undergrad university and I've never dealt with loans- so I have a question about loans to those who have experience!

I just got a financial aid letter from BU that includes merit+need-based+"federal direct loan" which comes out to $45,000 per year(with remaining scholarship amount that can be applicable to the 2019-2020 academic year) and they're saying my net cost to attend 2018-2019 is $25,837. Is the "federal direct loan" the same thing as "direct PLUS loan"? In other words how the heck am I supposed to pay $25,837 while I'm in school??
To my understanding, the PLUS loan is in addition to the federal direct. There's a max amount to the federal direct you can take out a year (around $33,000 I believe) and the PLUS loan would cover anything in addition, so the $25,837. The PLUS loan has a higher interest rate.
 
To my understanding, the PLUS loan is in addition to the federal direct. There's a max amount to the federal direct you can take out a year (around $33,000 I believe) and the PLUS loan would cover anything in addition, so the $25,837. The PLUS loan has a higher interest rate.
Thanks for your insight! So I would have to apply for the PLUS loan separately apart from receiving this aid, correct?
 
I’m going! Paid a nauseating amount for a round trip from California and Airbnb. Would love to know what they say about travel funding.
I am going from California as well! The flight ticket price spikes on the end of march, so unfortunate. I was told that Harvard does not fund for traveling. Hope this helps!
 
Thanks for your insight! So I would have to apply for the PLUS loan separately apart from receiving this aid, correct?
I am pretty sure! I don't know the exact details but I think contacting the financial aid office would shed more light on this. I also need to apply for the PLUS loan so I would be interested to know as well.
 
I'm still weighing the option of splitting accepted student days (Emory on 22nd and UNC on 23rd).

Would anyone visiting Emory on that Friday be willing to report back, and possibly upload any printed materials from day? I'm particularly interested in the following sessions:
- Career Development
- BSHE Department Session
- Research & Opportunity Fair

I would bake you cookies... 🙂

I’ll be going to Friday’s visit day, and I’m also accepted into the BSHE Department so I’d be happy to share notes and materials!
 
Just talked to an academic coordinator at Harvard. She said that an admissions chair is putting in decisions today, and many will receive their decisions today once the admissions process is completed. I applied for 60-SM in biostat. Good luck guys!
Thanks for the info! Did they say what time the decisions will be posted by?
 
No it doesn't-- I didn't know that was a thing!
I think it is! My dad is a professor at a UC in CA and they do that. Also, my brother is a student at a public university in Washington and they do that, too. So, hopefully UMich would so that as well.
 
I think it is! My dad is a professor at a UC in CA and they do that. Also, my brother is a student at a public university in Washington and they do that, too. So, hopefully UMich would so that as well.
This is what I could find and it does not seem to suggest that you can qualify for in-state tuition after a year of school: Residency - Office of the Registrar

You should definitely ask someone in the admissions office though.
 
I think it is! My dad is a professor at a UC in CA and they do that. Also, my brother is a student at a public university in Washington and they do that, too. So, hopefully UMich would so that as well.

I'd double check that with UMich. When I spoke to them, it seemed that they'd only grant in state tuition if you can prove your intent to stay in MI. I had called because I was unsure about my in-state eligibility: I grew up in MI, own a house there, pay property taxes, have a MI drivers license, and am registered to vote there - but I live and work in another state. They said none of that qualifies me, but because my parents still live in MI, I could probably qualify through them.
 
This is what I could find and it does not seem to suggest that you can qualify for in-state tuition after a year of school: Residency - Office of the Registrar

You should definitely ask someone in the admissions office though.
I just called the office of the registrar at UMich and yeah they said that a student would not qualify as in-state even after living there for a year and even if they wanted to do a PhD there. So, damn! That makes UMich waaaay more expensive in my mind! On the other hand, it makes JHU much more justifiable :thinking:
 
Hmm..I wonder if staying to do a PhD at UMich after would qualify me in that way, too? I’ll definitely look into it. Thank you.
From what I know about UM, schooling does NOT establish residency. It’s very difficult to establish residency in states like Michigan and North Carolina where a competitive state school draws people in. I would definitely ask the school directly before making that part of your cost calculations.

Edit: Just saw your post above. Thanks for updating us!
 
Got informal acceptance to UNC MSPH In HPM. :soexcited: I love the program because it has Yale’s small class size minus the crazy price tag. It’s now UNC vs. JHU. UNC has upper hand in terms of cost because second year I’ll get in-state tuition.
 
Got waitlisted for Brown ScM Biostatistics. Not sure if I should wait, or what should I do to get a high position on the list? I got accepted to MPH in biostatistics at Columbia, but it is way too expensive. Any suggestions? Thank you guys.

Also, waiting for MPH in biostatistics from Yale... Has anyone heard back?
 
Got informal acceptance to UNC MSPH In HPM. :soexcited: I love the program because it has Yale’s small class size minus the crazy price tag. It’s now UNC vs. JHU. UNC has upper hand in terms of cost because second year I’ll get in-state tuition.
Congratulations! If you go to UNC, we may be classmates this Fall 🙂
 
Hey! I can't actually believe I'm writing this, but I was just accepted to Tulane! I've spent close to two years looking through all these posts to see people with similar stats as mine, so I decided to post mine to give some hope to future applicants. This process REALLY is holistic!

Undergrad School: California State School
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA:
3.15
Major/Minor:
Hospitality
GRE (including date taken): 158v 144q ( yup… ) taken 1/6/18

I’m a career changer and have been working full time for about 4 years.

Interested in: migrant populations, youth sexual health education, HIV/AIDS
Applied(include the date of application): Tulane – international health & development; SDSU – Epi . SOPHAS verified 2/26
Accepted: Tulane! (3/6)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
 
I’ll be going to Friday’s visit day, and I’m also accepted into the BSHE Department so I’d be happy to share notes and materials!
That's so nice! If I were an admissions committee, I would accept you, too! :hilarious:

Seriously though, I'll be there Thursday so if you want me to buy you a beer or coffee or cookie, I'd be happy to do so. (I also went to Emory undergrad so I can trade you some insider tips about the school and area.)
 
Got waitlisted for Brown ScM Biostatistics. Not sure if I should wait, or what should I do to get a high position on the list? I got accepted to MPH in biostatistics at Columbia, but it is way too expensive. Any suggestions? Thank you guys.

Also, waiting for MPH in biostatistics from Yale... Has anyone heard back?

Didnt get into Yale biostats. I was informed about 3 weeks ago. Still waitin on Columbia biostats
 
Did anyone hear back from Harvard today? Some said earlier that the rest of the decisions should be released by today.
 
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