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

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Yeah I'm really considering just canceling the GRE. Should I just remove my expected test date from SOPHAS? Or email the schools individually to start reviewing my app? I'm scared it'll look bad not to back out of taking it.

Messaged you but agree with the others that your app seems strong enough and that waiting for a GRE score may put you at a disadvantage with the current cycle. Schools are generally very understandable— pretty sure not one of my schools considered it was a detriment to my app when I updated them about my lack of score. Hope this helps!
 
Hey y’all I’ve been following this thread for almost a week now and decided I would share my info! Congrats to everybody who has been accepted!! 🎉

Undergraduate School/School type: UCLA transfer student from East Los Angeles community college.
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.84 / Gender Studies and Chicanx and Central American Studies.
Major/minor: Public Health
Grad GPA (if applicable):
Grad studies (if applicable):
GRE(including date taken): did not take GRE

Experience/research: Cal-IHEA health equity scholar, Americorps Health Fellow, Independent Honors projects focused on LGBTQI health,

Letters of Rec:
1.) Tenured professor in Gender Studies / Chicanx and Central Am. Studies. (Completed honors project focused on indigenous organizing in Latin Am.)
2.) Public Health Professor -Community Health Sciences (completed honors project focused on COVID & HIV prevention)
3.) Supervisor of 2 years - Adminstrative director for The Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) (UC program)

Interests: HIV prevention, Queer Health, Homeless youth, Community based participatory research, Sexual Health...

Applied: Columbia -Popfam(12/1), UCLA-CHS(12/1), Emory-Global Health (12/24), Boston U- Sex, Sexuality, & Gender (1/15), Drexel-Community Health (1/15), Rutgers-LGBTQ health (1/15), UNC-EQUITY (2/1), Brown- Health Behavior (2/1)
Accepted: Emory (1/21)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:
 
Congrats everyone! Does anyone know what the acceptance rate of Columbia is? Also, what are the most selective concentrations?
At an admissions session this summer, they said about 50%, but I'm not sure how that number breaks down by department or how it's impacted by the pandemic.
 
Tomorrow is Wednesday: Yale's day 😅

This morning I got an email from Yale informing me about their upcoming events. I knew it was some kind of ad because today is Tues 😅 Did anyone receive this ad from Yale today but did not get a reaction because you knew it would not be the news you are waiting for? 😅
 
Tomorrow is Wednesday: Yale's day 😅

This morning I got an email from Yale informing me about their upcoming events. I knew it was some kind of ad because today is Tues 😅 Did anyone receive this ad from Yale today but did not get a reaction because you knew it would not be the news you are waiting for? 😅
I got this too, but I was so hopeful for a decision. 😭
 
Tomorrow is Wednesday: Yale's day 😅

This morning I got an email from Yale informing me about their upcoming events. I knew it was some kind of ad because today is Tues 😅 Did anyone receive this ad from Yale today but did not get a reaction because you knew it would not be the news you are waiting for? 😅
SAME lol also not hopeful bc i only got verified on the 19th after submitting in early december so idek whats going on
 
I thought that most deadlines were in mid-January or early February? Correctly if I'm wrong but I assumed that you had to have all your materials including test scores sent in by then, would March not be a bit late?

On a side note, my GPA is similar but a bit lower than you, no GRE and I've been doing ok so far. I am assuming that many people didn't send in GRE scores this year so it won't make you stand out that much? I edited the **** out of my personal statements though, perhaps they put a lot of weight on that this year.
Hi! I actually ended up emailing the schools asking them to consider my app without the GRE. Congrats on your acceptances!
 
Hey y’all I’ve been following this thread for almost a week now and decided I would share my info! Congrats to everybody who has been accepted!! 🎉

Undergraduate School/School type: UCLA transfer student from East Los Angeles community college.
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.84 / Gender Studies and Chicanx and Central American Studies.
Major/minor: Public Health
Grad GPA (if applicable):
Grad studies (if applicable):
GRE(including date taken): did not take GRE

Experience/research: Cal-IHEA health equity scholar, Americorps Health Fellow, Independent Honors projects focused on LGBTQI health,

Letters of Rec:
1.) Tenured professor in Gender Studies / Chicanx and Central Am. Studies. (Completed honors project focused on indigenous organizing in Latin Am.)
2.) Public Health Professor -Community Health Sciences (completed honors project focused on COVID & HIV prevention)
3.) Supervisor of 2 years - Adminstrative director for The Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) (UC program)

Interests: HIV prevention, Queer Health, Homeless youth, Community based participatory research, Sexual Health...

Applied: Columbia -Popfam(12/1), UCLA-CHS(12/1), Emory-Global Health (12/24), Boston U- Sex, Sexuality, & Gender (1/15), Drexel-Community Health (1/15), Rutgers-LGBTQ health (1/15), UNC-EQUITY (2/1), Brown- Health Behavior (2/1)
Accepted: Emory (1/21)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:
Omg I did CCCP! In the summer of 2018. What a small world lol
 
Congrats everyone! Does anyone know what the acceptance rate of Columbia is? Also, what are the most selective concentrations?

When I found the Petersons website and the stats for Columbia, i reached out to them to ask from what year those numbers are from. They gave me a very vague answer and said that their staff keep the numbers as updated as possible, but for specifics, to reach out to individual schools. I didn't end up reaching out to Columbia. But for an open house they had just a few months ago, Columbia sent an email with the itinerary and a PDF of commonly asked questions and on there they said that their acceptance rate for Master's programs is 60-70% so looks like the Petersons stats are fairly accurate.... for Columbia atleast. I attached that PDF in case anyone was interested!
 

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Can anyone speak to the culture/opportunities available at Columbia? Columbia's MPH class size is 1526. Comparatively Yale's is 155 and Hopkin's is around 260. This seems a bit concerning to me as with such a huge incoming class, it would seem like opportunities for research or establishing close relationships with mentors might be more difficult. The last thing I want is to be part of a school where I'm lost in a sea of people and can barely find opportunities. Thank you in advance for any insights/thoughts.
This PDF of commonly asked questions from Columbia's virtual open house a few months ago has the 2020 class sizes for all degree programs, hope it helps!
 

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Does anyone know the statistics on Harvard? I checked the spreadsheet from last year and didn't see many people applying to the SM 80 in Epidemiology (which I am). Would looove to be in that program so fingers crossed!!!
 
Does anyone know the statistics on Harvard? I checked the spreadsheet from last year and didn't see many people applying to the SM 80 in Epidemiology (which I am). Would looove to be in that program so fingers crossed!!!

I found this on the Petersons website but not sure how up-to-date it is for Harvard.
 
Hey y’all I’ve been following this thread for almost a week now and decided I would share my info! Congrats to everybody who has been accepted!! 🎉

Undergraduate School/School type: UCLA transfer student from East Los Angeles community college.
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.84 / Gender Studies and Chicanx and Central American Studies.
Major/minor: Public Health
Grad GPA (if applicable):
Grad studies (if applicable):
GRE(including date taken): did not take GRE

Experience/research: Cal-IHEA health equity scholar, Americorps Health Fellow, Independent Honors projects focused on LGBTQI health,

Letters of Rec:
1.) Tenured professor in Gender Studies / Chicanx and Central Am. Studies. (Completed honors project focused on indigenous organizing in Latin Am.)
2.) Public Health Professor -Community Health Sciences (completed honors project focused on COVID & HIV prevention)
3.) Supervisor of 2 years - Adminstrative director for The Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) (UC program)

Interests: HIV prevention, Queer Health, Homeless youth, Community based participatory research, Sexual Health...

Applied: Columbia -Popfam(12/1), UCLA-CHS(12/1), Emory-Global Health (12/24), Boston U- Sex, Sexuality, & Gender (1/15), Drexel-Community Health (1/15), Rutgers-LGBTQ health (1/15), UNC-EQUITY (2/1), Brown- Health Behavior (2/1)
Accepted: Emory (1/21)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:
I’m a UCLA cc transfer too, also interested in LGBTQ health and homelessness! Congrats on Emory 🙂
 
Super random, but I just wanted your guys' thoughts on this. Do you guys think graduate programs prefer to admit students that went there for undergrad? I notice for UCs that a lot, if not the majority, are the same students that went there for undergrad.
 
Super random, but I just wanted your guys' thoughts on this. Do you guys think graduate programs prefer to admit students that went there for undergrad? I notice for UCs that a lot, if not the majority, are the same students that went there for undergrad.
I was told by UCLA Fielding admissions that they do not prioritize UCLA undergraduates or alumni. I think of those who are accepted to a certain program, people who went there for undergrad might be more likely to accept the offer. But there could also be some unconscious bias in admissions ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Super random, but I just wanted your guys' thoughts on this. Do you guys think graduate programs prefer to admit students that went there for undergrad? I notice for UCs that a lot, if not the majority, are the same students that went there for undergrad.
I think it can depend on the school. For me, I know that it was said that getting into grad school at UNC as a UNC undergrad was harder but that’s because undergrad has almost 20,000 students and the mph programs has small numbers and the grad programs value diversity. This was just what I was told from other students during undergrad, not a hard fact. So I think they value all applicants equally but also want diversity in terms of undergrad education and background. I just got rejected from UNC last week 😔 but I also knew it was a long shot. The MCH program is not super big so I knew spots were limited and I doubted they would favor UNC undergrads in the process. Plus my stats aren’t super great. Again, I really don’t know what admissions think about their alumni in the process but this is my thought.
 
When I found the Petersons website and the stats for Columbia, i reached out to them to ask from what year those numbers are from. They gave me a very vague answer and said that their staff keep the numbers as updated as possible, but for specifics, to reach out to individual schools. I didn't end up reaching out to Columbia. But for an open house they had just a few months ago, Columbia sent an email with the itinerary and a PDF of commonly asked questions and on there they said that their acceptance rate for Master's programs is 60-70% so looks like the Petersons stats are fairly accurate.... for Columbia atleast. I attached that PDF in case anyone was interested!
WOw! super helpful thanks! Was worried about cohort size
 
Super random, but I just wanted your guys' thoughts on this. Do you guys think graduate programs prefer to admit students that went there for undergrad? I notice for UCs that a lot, if not the majority, are the same students that went there for undergrad.
I'm 99% positive Berkeley doesn't prioritize either from what I've heard because Berkeley has a 4+1 program for their undergrads.
 
Hi!! Long time lurker here! Congrats to everyone on their acceptances and good luck to everyone still waiting!

Undergraduate School/School type: Public school
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.6/4.0
Major/minor:
Marketing Communications
GRE(including date taken):
Didn't take it lol

Experience/research:
Worked/working for several years as a health editor at major publication focusing on women's health. But like, zero lab or research-research experience which makes me nervous!

Letters of Rec:
Manager, former manager, a work contact I work with on health stories a lot, work colleague I work with on the data/quant side quite a bit

Interests:
Women's and sexual health

Applied:
Harvard (submitted 11/30), JHSPH (submitted 11/30)
Accepted:
Yale School of Behavioral Sciences (submitted 10/27, accepted 12/22, scholarship info 01/04, $60k); Columbia PopFam (submitted 11/30, accepted 01/20; Emory Behavioral Sciences and Health Education (submitted 11/30, accepted 02/01)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Dartmouth (submitted 11/30, interviewed 01/13— really loved my interviewer too, she was so cool and we chatted for like 15 mins overtime just gabbing so the waitlist was a bummer, waitlisted 01/29)
Attending:


(I might delete this because my work doesn't know I might leave lmaooooooooo don't hate me)
 
Super random, but I just wanted your guys' thoughts on this. Do you guys think graduate programs prefer to admit students that went there for undergrad? I notice for UCs that a lot, if not the majority, are the same students that went there for undergrad.
I have always heard that schools dont want students to stay at the same university in order for the students to experience a variety of knowledge across multiple schools however, many of my TAs in undergrad were alumni.
 
I have always heard that schools dont want students to stay at the same university in order for the students to experience a variety of knowledge across multiple schools however, many of my TAs in undergrad were alumni.
That's what I noticed too so that's why I was wondering! I also work for my university and on my application it asked if I was affliated and to provide my employee ID. My thought is that schools usually offer admissions to the students that went there for undergrad because they believe students would most likely accept the offer. But then again, who knows!
 
I don't know how much weight this has since I went to a large Big 10 school which is no UC or Ivy, lol. But, A LOT of the graduate students at my university were Alumni. Even when I talked to the medical school, they told me they prioritize alumni applications.
I have always heard that schools dont want students to stay at the same university in order for the students to experience a variety of knowledge across multiple schools however, many of my TAs in undergrad were alumni.
 
Hi!! Long time lurker here! Congrats to everyone on their acceptances and good luck to everyone still waiting!

Undergraduate School/School type: Public school
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.6/4.0
Major/minor: Marketing Communications
GRE(including date taken): Didn't take it lol

Experience/research: Worked/working for several years as a health editor at major publication focusing on women's health. But like, zero lab or research-research experience which makes me nervous!

Letters of Rec: Manager, former manager, a work contact I work with on health stories a lot, work colleague I work with on the data/quant side quite a bit

Interests: Women's and sexual health

Applied: Harvard (submitted 11/30), JHSPH (submitted 11/30)
Accepted: Yale School of Behavioral Sciences (submitted 10/27, accepted 12/22, scholarship info 01/04, $60k); Columbia PopFam (submitted 11/30, accepted 01/20; Emory Behavioral Sciences and Health Education (submitted 11/30, accepted 02/01)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Dartmouth (submitted 11/30, interviewed 01/13— really loved my interviewer too, she was so cool and we chatted for like 15 mins overtime just gabbing so the waitlist was a bummer, waitlisted 01/29)
Attending:

(I might delete this because my work doesn't know I might leave lmaooooooooo don't hate me)
lol my work also doesn't know I'm leaving...
 
I have been wanting to know this as well. Its my top choice currently. I know some information from emailing them but hardly any discussion online about it.
I want to apply but there's a $40 fee to apply on their website in addition to the $50 sophas app and there's no difference between them.
 
im curious if bigger or smaller programs have more resources
 
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 🙂
 
Accepted to GWU. I had kinda forgotten that I applied there but a great moral booster to start the month!
Congrats on your acceptance! Can I ask when your app was sent for review and what program you applied to? I’m still waiting to hear back from the community oriented primary care program and my app was sent for review 1/6 🙁
 
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 🙂
How long did it take for the student to reach out to you? They said a student would reach out but I haven’t heard anything yet
 
Super random, but I just wanted your guys' thoughts on this. Do you guys think graduate programs prefer to admit students that went there for undergrad? I notice for UCs that a lot, if not the majority, are the same students that went there for undergrad.
I go to Drexel now and that didn't happen for me LOL. I applied to Drexel's MPH in EH and got rejected but got into NYU and Tulane. hmmmmmm what does that say.
 
Looking for opinions: when comparing two schools like Drexel and UPenn, do you feel it'd be advantageous to go with a school like Drexel since their public health program is ranked higher or a school like UPenn because they rank higher nationally and have more "brand recognition"? (For public health, Drexel is #19 and UPenn is #23, while nationally, Drexel is #133 and UPenn is #8). I know that they structure their mph programs veryyyy differently, but from an investment standpoint, which, in your opinion, would be a better choice?
 
Looking for opinions: when comparing two schools like Drexel and UPenn, do you feel it'd be advantageous to go with a school like Drexel since their public health program is ranked higher or a school like UPenn because they rank higher nationally and have more "brand recognition"? (For public health, Drexel is #19 and UPenn is #23, while nationally, Drexel is #133 and UPenn is #8). I know that they structure their mph programs veryyyy differently, but from an investment standpoint, which, in your opinion, would be a better choice?
Whichever is cheaper. If cost is the same, I would lean towards UPenn
 
Have any GWU acceptances here heard back on scholarship money? I was accepted on December 18th but still haven't heard back :/
 
Whichever is cheaper. If cost is the same, I would lean towards UPenn.
Looking for opinions: when comparing two schools like Drexel and UPenn, do you feel it'd be advantageous to go with a school like Drexel since their public health program is ranked higher or a school like UPenn because they rank higher nationally and have more "brand recognition"? (For public health, Drexel is #19 and UPenn is #23, while nationally, Drexel is #133 and UPenn is #8). I know that they structure their mph programs veryyyy differently, but from an investment standpoint, which, in your opinion, would be a better choice?
Its tough but I would go with UPenn. I go to Drexel now and let me tell you lol. The school isnt that bad but its notorious for being extremely expensive and the quarter system is rough. Basically, you have 10 week quarters then finals. If you like miss a week you will behind. The saving grace for this school is its Co-op program which is one of the best.

UPenns program is new so thats a tough decision.

UPenn really overshadows Drexel given its right next door. I used to walk through UPenns campus and daydream about what might have been lol., Their campus is beautiful and its easy to get lost in and forget your in the city.
 
How long did it take for the student to reach out to you? They said a student would reach out but I haven’t heard anything yet
She reached out to me within a few hours. I think it just depends. I've read that some students reached out after a week or two
 
Looking for opinions: when comparing two schools like Drexel and UPenn, do you feel it'd be advantageous to go with a school like Drexel since their public health program is ranked higher or a school like UPenn because they rank higher nationally and have more "brand recognition"? (For public health, Drexel is #19 and UPenn is #23, while nationally, Drexel is #133 and UPenn is #8). I know that they structure their mph programs veryyyy differently, but from an investment standpoint, which, in your opinion, would be a better choice?
I went to Penn for my undergrad and worked in Philly for a couple years, so just speaking from that perspective. If you're looking to stay/work in Philly or that region, I feel like an MPH from either school would be fine, but Penn definitely has more recognition beyond that region. Penn's program is also very interdisciplinary, which means a lot of opportunity to take classes in Penn's other (really highly ranked) schools, like Wharton, engineering, or the law school, if that is something that interests you. I think going to Penn would also provide more opportunity to work/do research with their hospital, which is more prestigious, or other research centers (there is an insane amount of research going on at that school). I can't really speak to opportunities at Drexel. I know Penn doesn't have a dedicated public health school, so Drexel may have more dedicated supports for MPH students, which is something to consider.
 
🙄
 

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