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

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If you don't mind, can you let us know what they say when you contact them? I finally had all my supplementals processed YESTERDAY, so I think I'm going to be in for a loooong wait to hear back.
Not sure if I’m going to reach out to the school now that a few people have clarified that the postcard is an additional process to the “official” acceptance. But if I do, I’ll let you know. You might be right though, took about a month to receive the department referral and plan to send the postcard in today. I’ll let you know how long it takes after that.
 
I sent my post card back and I agree this is strange. However, we cannot get our actual acceptance and financial aid information until you send that post card in! So I sent it in.
Oh I see. Planning to send it in today. Guess we have to keep playing the waiting game. Has the school sent you any communication via email? In comparison to other schools I’ve been accepted to, SDSU doesn’t seem to send out information about webinars, accepted students days, and other little things that “welcome” you to the program lol. But maybe that will follow after the postcard is sent in and processed.
 
That's huge, congratulations! Do you mind me asking--have you already accepted your offer of admission there?
I have not. I have a scholarship offer at Emory, too, so I am weighing my options. It sounds like the UNC scholarship, while substantial, is only for the first year, so I'm still trying to do the math on how much I would be paying over two years. I'll need to reach out about whether there is any guaranteed funding for the second year. Regardless, I feel so totally humbled and fortunate to be considered for funding at both schools.
 
WHOA. Congratulations! I haven't seen any offers that generous for MPHs!!
Thanks! Me neither. When they told me I would be receiving funding, I assumed it would be a small tuition buffer (since it's a public school, I imagined they don't have the money to throw around like other schools). The only question mark is that it's a one-year award, and I don't know if there is any guaranteed scholarship money or assistantships for the second year.
 
Retirements - only anecdotally - one of my mentors in MCH retired this past semester, and I know Prof. Malcolm Potts has retired. I was admitted to Epi/Biostat and I’m fairly sure there aren’t going to be many retirements in that department - haven’t heard any rumors.

Downsizing - not sure, will ask friends who are still there/are better connected.

And yes I think GSI/GSR is definitely competitive - my friends who are GSIs are all at the top of their game.
thank you for the information! Where are you leaning towards attending?
 
Oh I see. Planning to send it in today. Guess we have to keep playing the waiting game. Has the school sent you any communication via email? In comparison to other schools I’ve been accepted to, SDSU doesn’t seem to send out information about webinars, accepted students days, and other little things that “welcome” you to the program lol. But maybe that will follow after the postcard is sent in and processed.
that is because they do not even have an admitted students day! This truly sucks, so I have had to reach out to alumni and try to figure more out about the program myself. Remember it is a CSU so they just have less funding towards these kinds of things and cheaper tuition.
 
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.)

Hahaa it’s not a problem! I won’t be able to make it on Thursday, but I would really appreciate any insider tips lol
 
You probably got in bc mine still shows HARVard chan
I hope it is a good sign. But it seems like the trend right now is that only the people who applied to epi or environmental health programs are noticing this change. Which program did you apply to?
 
that is because they do not even have an admitted students day! This truly sucks, so I have had to reach out to alumni and try to figure more out about the program myself. Remember it is a CSU so they just have less funding towards these kinds of things and cheaper tuition.

I was noticing this too and did a lot of Linkedin searching of former students to see where they ended up after SDSU. If you have any questions about the city of San Diego, feel free to reach out, I live about 15 minutes from the campus 🙂
 
I was noticing this too and did a lot of Linkedin searching of former students to see where they ended up after SDSU. If you have any questions about the city of San Diego, feel free to reach out, I live about 15 minutes from the campus 🙂

I was in the same situation as far as admitted students day for SJSU! I was able to contact some professors and sit in on a course, along with attending an informational session that occurred coincidentally that same day. Doing something like that, if you were in the area, might give you a better idea of the program! Check into the office hours and what not of the faculty members and see if you could go into discuss or set up a skype meeting?
 
Depends on your program! I know the MS in Epi hadn’t distributed the money before sending out letters.

Did you receive notice of merit aid after receiving your acceptance package in the mail? I don't think I got anything in terms of merit aid and was somewhat surprised.
 
Has anyone heard from Yale yet? Getting tired of waiting to hear back. It has been almost 8 weeks since I submitted and got the ‘your application is complete’ email.
 
Has anyone heard from Yale yet? Getting tired of waiting to hear back. It has been almost 8 weeks since I submitted and got the ‘your application is complete’ email.

Which program did you apply to? I was admitted to EMD about a week after I received the application complete email.
 
Did you receive notice of merit aid after receiving your acceptance package in the mail? I don't think I got anything in terms of merit aid and was somewhat surprised.
No, I only know I have a scholarship because I reached out and asked. They told me it was sent by snail mail March 1, but I still haven't received it so I don't know for how much yet.
 
Jetting off to visit Hopkins Friday and Vandy Monday!

Was told in the car that my in-laws might buy a house in Atlanta for retirement and let us live there to save money during grad school if we choose Emory-- so we'd have to realllllllly love these schools haha

Can't make it for either of Hopkins' days - so please let me know what you do find out at Hopkins, general impressions, etc. Thanks!
 
that is because they do not even have an admitted students day! This truly sucks, so I have had to reach out to alumni and try to figure more out about the program myself. Remember it is a CSU so they just have less funding towards these kinds of things and cheaper tuition.
They don’t?? That does suck. Their website doesn’t have that much information about the program either. I wanna know little stuff like class size, cohort size, what time of day classes are scheduled, financial aid opportunities, internships, etc.

I’ve yet to attend a CSU but I guess it does make sense that funds are limited etc. But I hope that’s not indicative of how the program is if I do decide to go there. :/ I just recently went to UCLAs admitted students day and I appreciate how they made an effort to make you feel apart of a community. Right after my acceptance someone sent me an email reaching out to answer any questions I had. They provided me with a FAQs handout and also gave me a link to connect with other new admits. Maybe UCLA gave me high expectations lol
 
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They don’t?? That does suck. Their website doesn’t have that much information about the program either. I wanna know little stuff like class size, cohort size, what time classes are scheduled, financial aid opportunities, internships, etc.

Try reaching out to them! Find out if they have a program coordinator who can answer your questions. Ask if they can put you in touch with faculty members in the department to discuss the program and learn more. See if you can find out the office hours of the faculty members you're interested in, and set up an appointment with them via skype or in-person, if possible 🙂.
 
Has anyone heard from Yale yet? Getting tired of waiting to hear back. It has been almost 8 weeks since I submitted and got the ‘your application is complete’ email.

I'm still waiting too...I applied to SBS and got app complete e-mail 1/31
 
Has anyone had issues with JHU MSPH financial aid? I just got an email that said:
Please note that your financial aid application is still classified as incomplete. If you would like to receive notification of potential funding from the Federal Student Aid programs (Federal Loans and Federal Work-Study), you will need to submit all missing application documents as soon as possible. Please go to SIS ()) to view the documents that you need to provide us to complete your application.

But when I log into the portal, there is nothing that guides me on any missing documents - I know my FAFSA went through because I received financial aid notifications from Columbia and Yale. What gives?!
 
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?
Still waiting on Yale and Michigan at this point, but pretty much deciding between Columbia and Hopkins. Definitely need to get on the ball and make some sort of spreadsheet comparing and contrasting the programs. Also will be visiting Hopkins April 6th (which means, unfortunately, that I will have to miss Columbia's admitted student day). Has anyone been able to visit Columbia, attend classes, etc. on another day?


Just attended Columbia accepted students' day! I went into it really unsure, but left super impressed. Their way of teaching seems super hands-on and supportive. The first semester is all based in the core (mixed cohorts of all MPH students), the second is mostly your department's classes, the summer is a 8 week practicum, 2nd year is mostly your certificate program and your thesis. The whole first year you would have a class of 20 kids in which you do case studies and develop ideas, grant proposals, talk to governors. It seemed like they were preparing you for a wide-range of possible careers and practicums. They have over 130 faculty, which is incredible. They all wanted to connect you with professors that had similar interested. Each person seemed engaged and inspired to be a leader in public health. I think that the diversity of their research paired with the strength in their academics makes Columbia an incredible mph.
 
Has anyone had issues with JHU MSPH financial aid? I just got an email that said:
Please note that your financial aid application is still classified as incomplete. If you would like to receive notification of potential funding from the Federal Student Aid programs (Federal Loans and Federal Work-Study), you will need to submit all missing application documents as soon as possible. Please go to SIS ()) to view the documents that you need to provide us to complete your application.

But when I log into the portal, there is nothing that guides me on any missing documents - I know my FAFSA went through because I received financial aid notifications from Columbia and Yale. What gives?!

I got the same email from JHU and I have no idea. If you figure it out let me know!
 
If I have not heard back from Yale SBS yet, should I assume it is a negative as of now? I am going to the other accepted students' days, but this is the only (and my favorite) school that I am waiting on. I received all the other acceptances in early february, but Yale has not notified me of a decision yet.
 
I got the same email from JHU and I have no idea. If you figure it out let me know!
Did you complete the "PH Student Aid Application"? In the portal, navigate to "Summary" under "Financial Aid." Click the "Menu" button (this is the one you probably missed, like I did the first time) and then "Applications." There's a short form to fill out regarding the number of expected credits, external scholarships, etc.
 
If I have not heard back from Yale SBS yet, should I assume it is a negative as of now? I am going to the other accepted students' days, but this is the only (and my favorite) school that I am waiting on. I received all the other acceptances in early february, but Yale has not notified me of a decision yet.

I don’t think you should take it as a negative; you don’t know until you get that admission/rejection letter. I’d call and say you are trying to prioritize your travel for admitted student days and would like to know when you can anticipate hearing back from them.
 
I got the same email from JHU and I have no idea. If you figure it out let me know!

Figured it out - they hid it so well - impossible to find!

Login with your SIS ID
CLick on Summary under the Financial Aid Tab
You will see "Menu" in white with three horizontal dashes next to it - click on that
Click on Applications - this is the application that I'm assuming is missing
 
Kind of a random observation but is anyone else kinda blown away by how expensive University of Michigan's MPH is? I don't know if I'm misreading something but even with in state tuition it ends up being almost the same as many of the private schools of PH (~$14000 per term for 4 terms = $56000) And their out of state tuition is more expensive than Harvard's and Johns Hopkins... Other public unis in state tuition rates, like the UCs and Minnesota's are cheaper (~$40000 for MN and ~$30000 for the UCs). Kinda sets off the inner economist in me and makes me curious about how much state funding each receives haha

U-M School of Public Health Tuition & Financial Aid
 
Kind of a random observation but is anyone else kinda blown away by how expensive University of Michigan's MPH is? I don't know if I'm misreading something but even with in state tuition it ends up being almost the same as many of the private schools of PH (~$14000 per term for 4 terms = $56000) And their out of state tuition is more expensive than Harvard's and Johns Hopkins... Other public unis in state tuition rates, like the UCs and Minnesota's are cheaper (~$40000 for MN and ~$30000 for the UCs). Kinda sets off the inner economist in me and makes me curious about how much state funding each receives haha

As a Michigan resident, I have definitely noticed this, and I think it really comes down to the amount of funding the schools get from the state. If look at the political climate in Michigan vs. California and Minnesota, it is definitely less supportive of funding for public education.
 
If I have not heard back from Yale SBS yet, should I assume it is a negative as of now? I am going to the other accepted students' days, but this is the only (and my favorite) school that I am waiting on. I received all the other acceptances in early february, but Yale has not notified me of a decision yet.
I know that Yale is still going through applications. I wouldn't assume anything. They just haven't finished yet! They keep current student in the loop with admissions and they've told us they're working to finish up.
 
Was anyone able to attend UCLAs admitted students day on March 2nd? I sadly wasn't able to make it due to work but I'd love to hear what you thought of the program.

I attended their admit day! In my opinion, UCLA made it VERY hard for me to say no to them... They did a wonderful job of advertising their program! I am still anxiously awaiting a decision from UC Berkeley, but am comfortable knowing that I have been accepted to UCLA for community health sciences.

The panels that they had included their faculty members, staff members, and current students. Although it was raining, everyone had very sunny dispositions (and also reminded us at the beginning of each panel that it doesn't rain much in LA 😛). All of the speakers seemed very enthusiastic and genuine about their love for the campus and the School of Public Health there. The faculty members that I was able to interact with all seemed to be "regular people" aside from being professors. The faculty mentors seemed to really care about their students (at least in community health sciences, I am sure it is like that across different emphases as well).

They provided us with a lot of materials, including a career preparation kit that wasn't geared specifically towards UCLA, and applicable to anyone. One big thing I enjoyed was that they have wonderful tuition remission; I believe it was working 10-hours of a qualified position (TA, grad student researcher, undergraduate mentor) qualifies you for tuition remission (full for in-state residents, partial for out of state) and health insurance. Caveat being that you must find a position each quarter.

Feel free to PM me if you want more information! I am at work, so might be able to provide more details later. Congrats on all your acceptances!
 
Had anyone who applied to a dual degree MPH program at SDSU received one of these letters/postcards? I'm starting to get anxious over here since I'm in San Diego County and nothing has come in the mail yet!
 
Just attended Columbia accepted students' day! I went into it really unsure, but left super impressed. Their way of teaching seems super hands-on and supportive. The first semester is all based in the core (mixed cohorts of all MPH students), the second is mostly your department's classes, the summer is a 8 week practicum, 2nd year is mostly your certificate program and your thesis. The whole first year you would have a class of 20 kids in which you do case studies and develop ideas, grant proposals, talk to governors. It seemed like they were preparing you for a wide-range of possible careers and practicums. They have over 130 faculty, which is incredible. They all wanted to connect you with professors that had similar interested. Each person seemed engaged and inspired to be a leader in public health. I think that the diversity of their research paired with the strength in their academics makes Columbia an incredible mph.

I agree that Columbia is a great program with many opportunities HOWEVER this doesn't change that the accepted student visit days are scheduled for the same day. NY is more accessible to me so I was just wondering if anyone had arranged to visit Columbia (or any other school for that matter) outside of a scheduled visit day and how that experience was for you. I'd love to talk to students, attend a class or two, etc. and I think I could arrange time to do that outside of a formalized day!
 
I agree that Columbia is a great program with many opportunities HOWEVER this doesn't change that the accepted student visit days are scheduled for the same day. NY is more accessible to me so I was just wondering if anyone had arranged to visit Columbia (or any other school for that matter) outside of a scheduled visit day and how that experience was for you. I'd love to talk to students, attend a class or two, etc. and I think I could arrange time to do that outside of a formalized day!
I went outside of of a formal day and it was nice because I really got personal one-on-one time to talk to people there. I took a tour with a student which was a great perspective and talked to the head/administrator of the epi department and a faculty member. You can definitely set something like this up! I went on a friday though so there werent any classes.
 
Crickets too... They told me on Monday to give them "a few more weeks." Ok...I'll just keep banging my head against the wall.

Same I applied sometime late November or early December and still haven't heard back... I heard of people getting accepted and rejected but I have nothing. -_-
 
I’ve still got nothing from Berkeley but I applied HPM. I’m imagining it’s a rejection but I just want to them to let me know already.

I am so sorry 🙁. Fingers crossed for you and anyone else who is waiting for a response still!! The stress should be over soon hopefully!!!
 
Same situation for me! I loved UCLA after visiting for admit day anyways 🙂. I am legit happy that at least I can likely make a decision!!!
What program were you accepted in at UCLA? I'm in for HPM. It's actually for the best because I couldn't apply for HPM at Berkeley because of the 2 year experience requirement and HSB was my second choice.
 
What program were you accepted in at UCLA? I'm in for HPM. It's actually for the best because I couldn't apply for HPM at Berkeley because of the 2 year experience requirement and HSB was my second choice.

I am in at UCLA for the community health sciences program! Were you at the admit day?
 
Congrats! I think it's so funny they still send acceptances via snail mail. I'm waiting on SDSU, I have the same Quant score as you, so you getting in is giving me hope!
I wish you the best of luck!!
 
Not to be a downer, but my harvard portal changed to 'Student Home' as well, and I was rejected 🙁 But the odd thing was that I was rejected from a completely different department than the one I applied to. I'm awaiting a response on this.
 
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