MPH / MSPH 2021: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected, Attending

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Also, I recall that someone on here said that Emory has sent out all scholarships? I'm disappointed... I applied early to be considered for scholarships but did not receive anything from Emory yet. I will most likely not be attending Emory since other schools have given me more money. :/
They sent out merit scholarships. They still have their general scholarships to send out
 
Need grad school advice please!


I got accepted into Columbia's MPH in the Sociomedical Sciences department & Oxford's MSc in International health and tropical medicine and need to pick one.


For context, I've done Sociology from the Uni of Edinburgh, and am now a health editor in India. I want to study public health, specifically women's health and look at the structural inequalities in healthcare.


I'm still waiting on my funding and scholarships but for now:


Columbia is more expensive (big con) but I am excited with the course content and can dabble in many courses, and NYC is a more dynamic vibrant city. Plus I want to experience the US education system and hope to work there for at least 1 year.


Oxford has more prestige in my home country (India) where I want to come back, is 1 year shorter and cheaper. But I have done the UK system and the course content seems more rigid and slightly dated.


Has anyone done either of the courses? Any advice on what factors I should focus on?


TLDR: Just got exciting offers but am confused between Oxford and Columbia
Congrats on both of those acceptances! That is truly amazing! I applied to Columbia for similar reasons, I felt the content of the MPH and the public health school itself was much more dynamic and rigorous than any programs in Canada. Its way more expensive, but I think the education and opportunity will be worth it in the end. I would consider which school and which course you could truly see yourself enjoying and motivated to learn in. Grad school is a big investment and even though it's cheesy I think its not just about the degree at the end, its about what you learn and your overall experience.

Also, I have a friend at Oxford right now doing an MSc in Global Health. Feel free to message me and I can connect you with her if you want some insight into the school/program.
 
Has anyone heard about financial aid packages from anywhere? I emailed University of Minnesota last week asking when I might expect information, but only radio silence. I'm between BU and Minnesota at this point (haven't heard from Berkeley but not holding out hope that I'll get in), and I'm really torn because a huge factor is cost - after a 25% scholarship from BU, the tuition costs are pretty similar right now but I know cost of living is higher in Boston. Kinda feel like I'm in purgatory since I can't make a decision yet!
 
Has anyone heard about financial aid packages from anywhere? I emailed University of Minnesota last week asking when I might expect information, but only radio silence. I'm between BU and Minnesota at this point (haven't heard from Berkeley but not holding out hope that I'll get in), and I'm really torn because a huge factor is cost - after a 25% scholarship from BU, the tuition costs are pretty similar right now but I know cost of living is higher in Boston. Kinda feel like I'm in purgatory since I can't make a decision yet!
i heard from minnesota about a scholarship on feb 15. i was accepted in december. the scholarship is for in-state tuition (i'm out of state)
 
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i heard from minnesota about a scholarship on feb 15. i was accepted in december. the scholarship is for in-state tuition (i'm out of state)
Was it merit based, or did your FAFSA info play a role?
 
Waitlisted at HSPH for SM-80 epi. :/ Probably gonna be a no for me even if I get off the waitlist since it'll be unlikely I receive any aid

Just FYI the waitlist letter says: "If you choose to stay on the Wait List, we will let you know how things look by late May. Since the list is not ranked, the Committee will reconvene in May to make its final selections if space becomes available"
May I ask which track you applied to?
Also wondering which of the Epi tracks you applied to!
 
A lot of people on here seem to be saying online MPH programs aren't the route to go if you don't already have an "established career." Doesn't the concentration of the MPH matter? Also isn't an internship required as part of many of these programs? Most people would do an internship in their local health department. Isn't that where you gain connections and/or employment opportunities? Have you ever heard of someone getting an MPH in epidemiology online from a top 20 public health school, do an internship, and still not find an entry level epidemiology position? Is competition for a 50-60k starting position really that crazy right now? Does anyone have data to back this up? Thanks!
 
Is there a way to PM on this platform? Trying to stay somewhat anonymous since I know these are pretty small programs/tracks 🙂
Yes. Hover over the person's icon you want to and start the conversation. It would be just the two of you.

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Hi wonderful people! I'm in need of some advice. I am currently choosing between UNC Chapel Hill and Brown for Maternal and Child Health. Both are expensive and I would be funding it entirely through loans (Brown is about $20k more than UNC). Does anyone have any advice about which program I should choose? Is the Ivy League worth going more into debt for?

Also important to note that I am coming straight out of undergrad with no loans (I'm currently a senior in undergrad), so I can afford to take some
 
Hi wonderful people! I'm in need of some advice. I am currently choosing between UNC Chapel Hill and Brown for Maternal and Child Health. Both are expensive and I would be funding it entirely through loans (Brown is about $20k more than UNC). Does anyone have any advice about which program I should choose? Is the Ivy League worth going more into debt for?

Also important to note that I am coming straight out of undergrad with no loans (I'm currently a senior in undergrad), so I can afford to take some
are you factoring in being able to apply for in-state tuition at UNC for year 2? I've seen a few people talk about that
 
Hi wonderful people! I'm in need of some advice. I am currently choosing between UNC Chapel Hill and Brown for Maternal and Child Health. Both are expensive and I would be funding it entirely through loans (Brown is about $20k more than UNC). Does anyone have any advice about which program I should choose? Is the Ivy League worth going more into debt for?

Also important to note that I am coming straight out of undergrad with no loans (I'm currently a senior in undergrad), so I can afford to take some
Don't forget that you can appeal to get in-state tuition for UNC your second year. I was chatting with someone currently in the nutrition program and he said out of state students can usually get in-state tuition the second year. This helps since funding is limited from UNC.

I don't know anything about Providence, but as I was doing research on Chapel Hill, I know it has a suburban feel since the town is built around the university. The bus is also free. As for the programs, I'm not familiar with them, but if you're interested in research, you'll want to consider what professors are doing (reach out to talk to them about opportunities) and what hospitals, clinics, and organizations are around that you want to use for your practicum. I've been looking through UNC's research site: Mothers, Children and Reproductive Health - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health may be a good place to start in terms of looking for faculty to talk to.
 
Just got accepted from JHU full time MPH program. Applied on 11/30, verified and completed on 12/8. Since it's just a one-year program, does that mean they probably will not offer any scholarship? In my acceptance letter, it says "You will receive more detailed information from us within a few business days." So I wonder if it's about scholarship.
Congrats on your acceptance! Did you ever get more info on this? I'm wondering the same thing!
 
I don't know if this helps or not, but I was admitted to the one year program in October and only heard back about a scholarship this month. I doubt it will be that long for more recent admits, but don't want you to lose hope if you don't hear immediately!

Congrats on the acceptances!
Ah, thanks SO much! That's great to know. Congratulations to you as well 🙂
 
A lot of people on here seem to be saying online MPH programs aren't the route to go if you don't already have an "established career." Doesn't the concentration of the MPH matter? Also isn't an internship required as part of many of these programs? Most people would do an internship in their local health department. Isn't that where you gain connections and/or employment opportunities? Have you ever heard of someone getting an MPH in epidemiology online from a top 20 public health school, do an internship, and still not find an entry level epidemiology position? Is competition for a 50-60k starting position really that crazy right now? Does anyone have data to back this up? Thanks!
I am wondering about this too! I think any experience is what you make of it, however, I am also wondering if employers ' look down' on the applicant who went through an online program vs an in-person. I applied to a couple of online programs because staying home and completing my master's is more financially reasonable for me. But I noticed a lot of people talking down about these programs as well. I am also planning to apply to Medical School after, so I am wondering if admissions will look down on an online degree. I really hope this isn't the case but I'd also love some insight from others on this!
 
I'm signed up for this week too and haven't gotten anything
Oh no, i wonder why i haven't gotten it... kind of worried now 🙁
Maybe double check your registration through the portal - worst case, I wonder if my link is a general link or a personalized link - if its a general link, I could probably message you two individually!
 
Anyone waiting on access links for Columbia admitted student week?
I haven't gotten anything either. I switched my registration around yesterday and think I may have accidentally switched my registration to March without noticing, maybe you did something similar? It's weird because I could view the Dean's welcome yesterday but can't find it anymore.
 
I haven't gotten anything either. I switched my registration around yesterday and think I may have accidentally switched my registration to March without noticing, maybe you did something similar? It's weird because I could view the Dean's welcome yesterday but can't find it anymore.
I didn't switch my registration, but that happened to me too with the Dean's welcome. I emailed them to let them know about the links and the message. Hopefully, they send it soon!
 
I didn't switch my registration, but that happened to me too with the Dean's welcome. I emailed them to let them know about the links and the message. Hopefully, they send it soon!
Let me know when/if they respond! I was really looking forward to it this week and don't really want to wait until March to do it 😆
 
I didn't switch my registration, but that happened to me too with the Dean's welcome. I emailed them to let them know about the links and the message. Hopefully, they send it soon!
I still have the Dean's welcome, but no links. I wonder if it has something to do with the MHA program?
 
I still have the Dean's welcome, but no links. I wonder if it has something to do with the MHA program?
The session at 4pm is an MPH overview (at least the one on my portal), is the MHA one is at a different time perhaps?
 
Could someone going to the MPH call at 4 for Columbia just say something to the person hosting saying MHA admits are confuzzled :,) They're in the same department so I'm sure they can get it fixed quick... Has anyone in the MHA gotten the link?
 
Don't be afraid to email and check in with them about application status, its ok to do it if you feel you've been waiting too long.
I am leaning towards Emory, mainly because tuition wise with my scholarship, it's the most affordable option. Also higher ranked. I got REAL so I can work and keep building experience while I'm there. I also just feel ready to move out of the DC area, I've been here my whole life and I think it's time for a change. ATL's cost of living isn't bad at all. And the weather is great too, I hate the cold lol. My only major concern with Emory was that I felt I'd be missing out on the DC jobs and opportunities, which are more appealing to me than Atlanta's. I heard people mention USAID and that's where I dream to work. But I can always come back to DC over the summer and try to get some cool global health internships/practicum experience, or just come back after graduating. I'm willing to sacrifice the whole DC location aspect mainly bc I know I'll probably be happy with a job in Atlanta too!
I did email Boston last week and they were very nice and let me know I could expect a decision in early March at the latest. This was encouraging but still frustrating that I haven't heard anything and I applied quite early. Emory is a wonderful school! I think that's a great way to think about it, you can kind of get the best of both worlds, and get amazing opportunities in ATL at Emory and then come back to DC and get great opportunities and establish yourself there as well at amazing organizations like USAID! The decision is all about balance and I think that is really hard but we can all work through it together! I posted my STATS a few pages, back. You seem to have a lot of experience and were accepted into so many amazing schools! Any chance you are willing to look at my STATS and let me know what you think in terms of my chance of getting in and how they compared to yours? Either way Congrats! 🙂
 
Anymore waitlist decisions from Harvard today?
 
Does anyone know about how need-based aid works at NYU? I haven't found much info on here or their website. Maybe I'm just missing something.
I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, but any extra aid would really help off-set that NYC cost of living 😭
 
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