I am so sorry to post here again but it seems like this is the most active thread and I really need help ASAP. If anyone here is kind enough to answer any of the questions below I would be so thankful.
1. If I submitted my SOPHAS application without LORs by around end of Feb (LORs could take a few weeks to over a month) how long would it take for schools to get and evaluate my app?
2. Do top schools realistically admit people after their priority deadline has passed? How common is this? Some schools I’m currently looking at: Columbia, Emory, Michigan, BU, Berkeley, UCLA, GWU, Yale, Pitt, USF, Brown, UPenn
Also if there are any top schools that don’t have priority deadlines or where they particularly don’t matter as much please let me know! Also if any schools give out scholarships late, I know it’s a long shot but just thought I’d put it out there!
3. Is there a “top tier” for MPH programs? If so what schools are in that tier and is the quality of education and job placement significantly better for top tier compared to tier 2 and beyond? Sorry still learning
4. Is there a significant difference in quality of education and job placement between an in person and online MPH program? I’ve noticed a lot of top schools have online MPH programs also, and with multiple start dates. Is this still a legit MPH or is it a money making scheme? Is it worth applying to online programs?
4. Any tips on what schools typically look for in their personal statement/what should I highlight? I know public health experience is good, but any other tips??
5. Any big things I should avoid talking about in my app or avoid doing in general during this app process?? I was premed for college and only decided to switch to MPH recently.. should I avoid mentioning this and if so how do I craft my narrative?
Literally any other tips or advice would be appreciated as well! Thank you!!
1. SOPHAS will not verify your application until you have at least 2 LOR in the system. After you have those in, I don't know what the waiting period will be like, probably on the short end because less applications may be submitted. Once you're verified, your applications will automatically be sent to schools after payment. Some schools will wait until they have all app requirements to evaluate, some will start, but wait until they have everything before making a decision. I think Emory is the only one on your list that actually only requires 2.
2. There are many schools that will still accept students after the priority deadline. Unfortunately, some schools on your list, like Yale and Columbia, have hard deadlines that have already passed. You'll need to go through your list and see which schools are still rolling. As for scholarships, some schools have a priority deadline to be considered for $$. When asked, they usually either say applicants after that will not be considered or they will be considered, but the pot of money available is significantly smaller. For this, you should look at the last 20 pages or so of the 2020 MPH a/a/w/a thread on this forum. It will give you insight into others who applied late.
3.There are definitely top tiers. Check the school's alumni stats: percentage of placement within 6 months, job titles, maps of where students are, etc. A lot of advisors say it really depends on what your concentration is and where you want to end up. There was actually a post, i think on page 108, where someone shared notes from her talk with an admissions director.
4. I don't know much about online, but I wouldn't go unless I already had a full time job I wanted to keep during and post grad. One major benefit of grad school is networking. If you're going to do it, make sure it's accredited.
5. I think personal statements are all about introducing yourself, your experience and your future. Yes, this can include being pre-med. Why did you switch to PH? What sector of PH excites you? What do you want to do with an MPH (not just in PH, but how will this specific degree help you)? What will you bring to the classroom?
Hope this helps!