Hi All!! Warning: SUPER LONG MESSAG First and foremost, I love reading all your posts and I’m honestly so impressed not only with your backgrounds, but your commitment to public health AND building up each other! As I am assuming that most on this thread are women, the complete lack of negativity and female (and male) empowerment, is beautiful to see.
Like many of you, I am only waiting on Harvard, but even if accepted, I’m leaning toward Columbia. I’m gathering that I am older than most of you and in a different career path since I have a JD, Masters and now going for the MPH (or I think).
I am a Columbia Undergrad Alum (and my love for Columbia in general is borderline cultish). I was accepted to NYU and CU Law during a really tough cycle, but was awarded a full tuition scholarship AND fellowship to another, second tier law school. At the time, I was planning on public interest, so the prospect of no debt was ideal. However, I had to work 30x harder to ensure I was in the top 15% to be eligible for top tier law firms. So much for public interest. One thing I want to strongly reiterate and an “older” (eek) student, is that I learned that names DO matter, especially in an economic downturn.
I made enough to finance a Masters in Education at Columbia and I had experience teaching at the HS and College Level. Eventually, I transitioned back to law in a different area, but areas like “health law” or “policy” did not exist when I went to law school!!
I am currently employed, and actually still working with my incredible former “boss” and now colleague. We started a non-profit for empowering female collegiate students in a two year non-profit focusing on Journalism and Women in Stem. These students had to mentor underserved communities. Only sharing this because I’m extremely familiar with hiring/interviewing/on boarding, and have tremendous experience with mentoring women 18-25 (I’m in my 30s).
With that, I want to just offer some “millennial words of wisdom.” Go to a program in the area you want to work in; MPH isn’t like law, medical school or BSchool: Here is my advice:
(1) First and foremost, choose the school based on where you want to live for the next few years after you graduate. Ex. I loved Hopkins and Emory, but I didn’t want to live there. I focused on NY, Boston, DC, Philly (UPenn) and even Miami as a backup. In NY, I applied to three “safety” schools even if I didn’t get into Columbia.
(2) Scholarship is incredible, but if that is your only hindrance to your dream or top school, find a way to make it work. I kick myself to this date that I gave up NYU and Columbia Law (no aid), because of the aid. Connections and alumni network/career services is what is not only going to get you your first jobs, but you’d be amazed that it extends far beyond that! When I left BigLaw, I knew it was impossible to go back simply because no one cared about my scholarship, fellowship or Law Review - it was the name! Trust me when I say, that when you find something you love, the money will come and YOU will be able to advance and pay off your loans. For government jobs, many offer debt forgiveness.
(3) I cannot say enough amazing things about Columbia. As an undergrad and a graduate student there, I can truly say it’s a magical city and the school, who you will meet, professors and resources are top notch. I believe most MPH classes are at the Med School campus which is in a totally different area. The city has changed quite a bit since COVID, so I’d be more than happy to help anyone with questions about living there, CU culture.. etc. I should also add that the rents have dropped to prices I’ve never seen AND no longer broker fees. I’m more than happy to help people start brainstorming living situations and the areas to live in. Also, NY has a very transparent tent process, so I’m SO happy to share what I know so those going can get an idea and start looking now (even though it’s usually a 45-15 day window).
(4) I’d love to hear from those who are definitely going to Columbia and those who may still choose Harvard if they get in. I’m still stuck as to what I want to do if I get in to Harvard, but NYC and Columbia has my heart.
(5) I’d LOVE to connect with anyone personally who is looking into Health Policy or Health Policy and Management. All you Epi/Stats people ROCK because that’s so not my thing but I’m excited to take a core class.
(6) If there is anyone who can privately message me about salary rangers, and where you’ve received your information from, I’d appreciate it!! I spoke with admissions a few times in August and their released data for salaries does not match what some of you have posted about 35K-70K. There was an awesome person who posted some real inside info because a relative worked in the field.
(7) Side note - any of you all are in late twenties to thirties, I’d love to connect and see how you feel about all this. I haven’t been in school in ages.
Fingers crossed for everyone. So glad I found this group of every inspiring individuals! ❤️❤️