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

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Realizing I've been utilizing this page for too long not to post my stats. It's been painful waiting to hear back, but hearing everybody else's stories helps a lot.


Undergraduate School/School type: Medium sized research school in Northeast
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA/SOPHAS GPA: 3.88
Major/minor: BA in Public Health/BA in Geography/Environmental Studies
GRE(including date taken): Didn’t take

Experience/research:
- 3 months as a Summer Administrative Intern at an FQHC in Chicago (remotely)
- Current Research Assistant for a Maternal Health research program on campus
- Peer Health Educator for one year on campus
- 2 years as an Information Desk Attendant at my university, was student manager for one semester before COVID
-President of campus a capella group for one year

Letters of Rec:
1 from my Geography of Health professor/Geography advisor
1 from my desk job supervisor
1 from the head professor of my maternal health research program

Interests: Epidemiology

Applied: GW- Global Health Epi (11/18), UMD- Epi (11/12), UNC- Epi (11/26)
Accepted: GW (12/23)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:
 
iFky99 said:
Might be a bit early, but do you guys think we will have in-person classes in the fall?
Click to expand...
Spartacous1 said:
Im pretty sure we will. Mass vaccinations will only continue to increase once they sort out the logistics.
Click to expand...
I feel like we will too. Obviously things are super subject to change, but I'm working contact tracing/vaccine support rn and things seem to be looking up (at least in my region)
 
Congratulations to everyone who was accepted today!!! 🙂

And for those of us who are still waiting ever so patiently...
 

Attachments

  • ryangosling.jpg
    ryangosling.jpg
    52.5 KB · Views: 73
should we start asking schools about financial aid now? Or just wait until they send out their packages?
 
ProfDogPetter said:
should we start asking schools about financial aid now? Or just wait until they send out their packages?
Click to expand...
NYU said late March for financial aid. I say wait a month because its to early. I've already joined a NYU housing/sublet group because I'm nervous about housing/getting something not ridiculously expensive.
 
mphlife said:
When applying, I've been banking on it being in-person for the Fall. Just hoping the vaccines would pull through.
This is actually a deciding factor for me on if I'll be deferring or not.
Click to expand...
Me too. Do you know how "easy" it is to defer?
 
Accepted to UChicago for their MPH!!!! But I was only offered a 10% scholarship for the program which costs $80k and the cost of living in Chicago is 😬. Plus it’s a new program for 2021 so idk how the program will feel... anyone else apply to UChicago???

Congrats to those who got acceptances today! To those who got rejections, know that your worth and ability to succeed is not determined by it, and to those still waiting like me (me @BU 👀🤞🏽) our time will come.
 
iFky99 said:
Me too. Do you know how "easy" it is to defer?
Click to expand...
For Emory, you fill out an Enrollment Decision Form to Defer and pay your Deposit. And you can defer for one year without having to reapply. I'm sure other programs have a similar policy.
I don't think it's difficult based on last year's thread. I believe need-based financial aid would change though
 
Has anyone heard back from Yale that applied to Health Policy (HPM)? My app went into review on Nov 18 and I still haven't heard anything
 
tepall said:
Accepted to Emory BSHES today!

Does anyone know of the assistantship/funding opportunities that are available at Emory? Would appreciate any insight! 🙂
Click to expand...
Congrats! I also was admitted to the same program and I believe that when financial aid packages are given out, some students might be awarded the REAL package which includes the opportunity to work with Emory or community partners while attending school. I believe that the most you can make is $2500 a semester, but I may be wrong. There are more stats and information in the school page 😊
 
ariengo said:
Has anyone heard back from Yale that applied to Health Policy (HPM)? My app went into review on Nov 18 and I still haven't heard anything
Click to expand...
I’ve seen two people on this thread that have been accepted to health policy at Yale, one was in December and one was early January. Someone here emailed admissions at Yale to ask when they would hear back and they told them so you could definitely email to ask! I’m still waiting but mine only went for review on 1/21.
 
nolepubhealth said:
If BU could kindly send me my decision, I would greatly appreciate it. Not even bothered if it's a rejection, but my stuff has been in their office for FOUR months now and it irks me seeing people getting their decisions that submitted after me (no offense to any of you amazing humans). I just want to be able to start making arrangements for jobs and housinggggg
Click to expand...
Same here!! I applied in October and did not even receive a confirmation or application status email. Reach out to them to see if your application is in the review. They said mine was being sent for review like 2 weeks ago but I did not hear back after.
 
h13579 said:
Hi all! I have an interview with Columbia on Monday, 2-8. It's crazy to say but, with the little work experience I've had, I've actually never had to interview for any of my volunteer positions/jobs 😓 . I'm super nervous about the interview because of this! I know some people have said that the interview is informal and that they basically ask why you're interested in Columbia and the department. Is there anything else that I should know? Any advice or pointers for the interview? It would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Click to expand...
Hi! I applied for their MHA program, which is apart of their HPM department, so I believe their interviews should be similar, if not the same. It was very laid back and informal! They literally only ask why HPM, why Mailman, and what you hope to get out of the program. I prepared a lot of questions to ask the interviewer, too. Good luck!
 
westonsided said:
I’ve seen two people on this thread that have been accepted to health policy at Yale, one was in December and one was early January. Someone here emailed admissions at Yale to ask when they would hear back and they told them so you could definitely email to ask! I’m still waiting but mine only went for review on 1/21.
Click to expand...
I think I'll give it another week before reaching out. This is excruciating😡 I just want to know so I can start planning asap
 
How much do you all think rankings matter for an MPH? I have read they do on some sources and also read that it the program is accredited, it’s okay. I’m not sure, but right now am leaning towards not pursuing a PhD or DrPH after my MPH and hoping to get a job after I graduate. I am waiting to hear on aid but off the bat I am super torn between UNC and Yale in particular because they both have incredible research that focuses on violence prevention. I already have some professional relationships in the Chapel Hill area and would get in state tuition but I’m also super drawn to the housing and health research going on at Yale. It’s also so exciting to think about going somewhere completely new and different. I feel so fortunate to have both options. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know!
 
adventuring-girl said:
How much do you all think rankings matter for an MPH? I have read they do on some sources and also read that it the program is accredited, it’s okay. I’m not sure, but right now am leaning towards not pursuing a PhD or DrPH after my MPH and hoping to get a job after I graduate. I am waiting to hear on aid but off the bat I am super torn between UNC and Yale in particular because they both have incredible research that focuses on violence prevention. I already have some professional relationships in the Chapel Hill area and would get in state tuition but I’m also super drawn to the housing and health research going on at Yale. It’s also so exciting to think about going somewhere completely new and different. I feel so fortunate to have both options. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know!
Click to expand...
people argue the same thing as undergrad. Choose the cheapest school possible because the education is the same.
Which I agree because at the end of the day 2+2 is 4 but there is a reason people flock to the prestigious schools, they have better resources that may not be had elsewhere. If i wanted to I could get my MPH at sdsu for the cheap price of $9,000 a year. But I dont think highly of the school and will move away for a school I find contains what I am looking for.
 
crashfan said:
people argue the same thing as undergrad. Choose the cheapest school possible because the education is the same.
Which I agree because at the end of the day 2+2 is 4 but there is a reason people flock to the prestigious schools, they have better resources that may not be had elsewhere. If i wanted to I could get my MPH at sdsu for the cheap price of $9,000 a year. But I dont think highly of the school and will move away for a school I find contains what I am looking for.
Click to expand...
Definitely makes sense, thank you for the response! I will just have to wait to see if I get any aid from Yale and if it makes sense to go up there!
 
thompson0803 said:
For those heavily considering Columbia, what have y'all been looking at in terms of getting a feel for the program, school cultural etc? I know virtual admitted students week is coming up, but I wanted to do my own research in the meantime.
also congrats on all the acceptances guys!!🙂
Click to expand...
I've been looking into class sizes! Columbia already has the name recognition obviously so now. I just want to make sure I don't get lost in the crowd. Also, I'm looking into housing and job opportunities. Columbia allows you to defer for a year so if financial aid isn't great I'll probably defer and work.
 
got accepted to 3/3 of my schools for health promotion/community health 🙂 UMN (1/15), Columbia (1/20), & GWU (2/3)

I was initially planning on applying to ~8 schools, but I saw a good piece of advice in last years forum that said to apply to schools in areas that you would want to live/work there after, so that cut off the other schools and saved me a lot of money with app fees lol

anyway, now we wait to see if I get any financial aid from the three.. 🥴🙏🏽
 
adventuring-girl said:
How much do you all think rankings matter for an MPH? I have read they do on some sources and also read that it the program is accredited, it’s okay. I’m not sure, but right now am leaning towards not pursuing a PhD or DrPH after my MPH and hoping to get a job after I graduate. I am waiting to hear on aid but off the bat I am super torn between UNC and Yale in particular because they both have incredible research that focuses on violence prevention. I already have some professional relationships in the Chapel Hill area and would get in state tuition but I’m also super drawn to the housing and health research going on at Yale. It’s also so exciting to think about going somewhere completely new and different. I feel so fortunate to have both options. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know!
Click to expand...
As an epi person would probably say, "it depends." If you're hoping to go down the path of a PhD, DrPH, I would think about reputation, job placement, even success of grant funding. Going from a MPH to a PhD would mean you'd ideally have to get a lot of good experience, publications, etc. - might be easier at higher ranked, better resourced schools. I had this conversation with my advisor who went to Hopkins PhD and did her MS in Epi at Harvard. That said, sticker price anywhere sounds gross even for an ivy league master's! It's up to you to make the most at any program you're at.
 
adventuring-girl said:
How much do you all think rankings matter for an MPH? I have read they do on some sources and also read that it the program is accredited, it’s okay. I’m not sure, but right now am leaning towards not pursuing a PhD or DrPH after my MPH and hoping to get a job after I graduate. I am waiting to hear on aid but off the bat I am super torn between UNC and Yale in particular because they both have incredible research that focuses on violence prevention. I already have some professional relationships in the Chapel Hill area and would get in state tuition but I’m also super drawn to the housing and health research going on at Yale. It’s also so exciting to think about going somewhere completely new and different. I feel so fortunate to have both options. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know!
Click to expand...
I would say go to the cheapest option, as well. Right now that seems to be UNC, and luckily for you, UNC is a top public health program.

Loans are no joke, especially the unsubsidized, and if you get no aid from Yale, then I think it's a no-brainer. Especially if you decide to pursue a PhD afterwards, you will be making close to nothing on the PhD stipend while having to pay back those enormous loans. I personally don't think it's reasonable to go into incredible debt for an MPH especially due to the career salaries afterwards. Just my two cents!

I'm in the same boat cause I think I'll want to get a PhD after and the idea of loans frightens me, especially upwards of 20-30k+
 
dancergirl11119 said:
I haven’t either, applied 12/1 sent for review 12/2
Click to expand...
haha glad to know someone is on the same boat 🙂 fingers crossed next week is the week! im just exhausted and havent got a single acceptance or decision yet, ive even panic applied to like 4 other schools lol ill be happy with one acceptance at this point
 
adventuring-girl said:
How much do you all think rankings matter for an MPH? I have read they do on some sources and also read that it the program is accredited, it’s okay. I’m not sure, but right now am leaning towards not pursuing a PhD or DrPH after my MPH and hoping to get a job after I graduate. I am waiting to hear on aid but off the bat I am super torn between UNC and Yale in particular because they both have incredible research that focuses on violence prevention. I already have some professional relationships in the Chapel Hill area and would get in state tuition but I’m also super drawn to the housing and health research going on at Yale. It’s also so exciting to think about going somewhere completely new and different. I feel so fortunate to have both options. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know
Click to expand...

adventuring-girl said:
How much do you all think rankings matter for an MPH? I have read they do on some sources and also read that it the program is accredited, it’s okay. I’m not sure, but right now am leaning towards not pursuing a PhD or DrPH after my MPH and hoping to get a job after I graduate. I am waiting to hear on aid but off the bat I am super torn between UNC and Yale in particular because they both have incredible research that focuses on violence prevention. I already have some professional relationships in the Chapel Hill area and would get in state tuition but I’m also super drawn to the housing and health research going on at Yale. It’s also so exciting to think about going somewhere completely new and different. I feel so fortunate to have both options. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know!
Click to expand...
UNC is higher ranked as a school of public health
 
pimoa said:
UNC is higher ranked as a school of public health
Click to expand...
They are! And that’s why I’m so torn on whether Yale would be a better program for me since I love the research people are working on up there. I’m not sure how much of a difference 2 versus 15 makes
 
publichealthnerd87 said:
As an epi person would probably say, "it depends." If you're hoping to go down the path of a PhD, DrPH, I would think about reputation, job placement, even success of grant funding. Going from a MPH to a PhD would mean you'd ideally have to get a lot of good experience, publications, etc. - might be easier at higher ranked, better resourced schools. I had this conversation with my advisor who went to Hopkins PhD and did her MS in Epi at Harvard. That said, sticker price anywhere sounds gross even for an ivy league master's! It's up to you to make the most at any program you're at.
Click to expand...

krpaek said:
I would say go to the cheapest option, as well. Right now that seems to be UNC, and luckily for you, UNC is a top public health program.

Loans are no joke, especially the unsubsidized, and if you get no aid from Yale, then I think it's a no-brainer. Especially if you decide to pursue a PhD afterwards, you will be making close to nothing on the PhD stipend while having to pay back those enormous loans. I personally don't think it's reasonable to go into incredible debt for an MPH especially due to the career salaries afterwards. Just my two cents!

I'm in the same boat cause I think I'll want to get a PhD after and the idea of loans frightens me, especially upwards of 20-30k+
Click to expand...
Thank you both! I really appreciate the responses. I definitely think there’s not a wrong choice necessarily since both programs are so fantastic. I just want to make sure I make the best choice for me. And it’s definitely valid to think about it especially if an MPH is not my terminal degree.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
MPH / MSPH 2024: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected, Attending
Replies
3
Views
7K
catch-22
catch-22
She-Hulk
MPH / MSPH 2023: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected, Attending
2 3
Replies
103
Views
30K
Nicole Brown
Nicole Brown
D
2024 Public Health Doctoral Programs ( PhD, DrPH, ScD): Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Attending, Rejected
Replies
0
Views
5K
drph2024
D
J
MHA 2024: Applied, Interviewed, Rejected, Attending
Replies
5
Views
4K
MHAApplicant2024
M
Z
MPH / MSPH 2022: Applied, Accepted, Waitlisted, Rejected, Attending
22 23 24 25 26
Replies
1K
Views
214K
Nicole Brown
Nicole Brown
Top