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

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ahappipanda said:
For some context, I see myself working in a community-based organization or county/state public health department geared towards family and youth health programs. I have been working with youth and young people on the community level for the past two years and graduated from the UW with a degree in PH.

I am definitely still in the beginning stages of researching programs however when I looked over Berkeley's program in HSB it really drew me in. The multidisciplinary faculty in the program with the MCH and Nutrition tracks housed under the Community Health Sciences division, offering of the Specialty Area in Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, and the Center of Excellence in MCAH for internship placements are some things that especially stuck out to me. The HSB track interests me for its emphasis on understanding and researching health behavior on a community level and evaluating research-informed interventions and policies. From undergrad, I've learned how valuable the internship can be to making connections after grad school and the Bay Area is where I'd like to work in the future so building my network there is another big reason on a more personal level. I appreciate how in-depth the field placement process seems to be on truly getting an internship that matches your interests, didn't have as much luck in undergrad. I have a couple faculty members in mind as well who have similar research interests. Their DREAM office for students also looks like a great support system that I was very pleased to see incorporated into the program as well.

I see that they're very firm about work experience prior to applying and I will have about three years by the start of the program. A couple things I'm worried about is not having prior research experience impacting how strong of a candidate I am as well as paying out-of-state tuition and what the opportunity for aid is like if any. I am planning to hopefully attend some virtual fairs to learn more, but this is where I'm at right now 🙂

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Research experience may or may not help you. Depends on what you want to do. MPH is a terminal degree or you can call it a professional degree. It teaches you skills you can make immediate use in your work right after you graduate.
I think your passion about this work is what really matters. I didn't have any research experience before applying to any of these schools, but my work experience is strong and in my materials (essay, rec letters, cv, etc) I made sure everything was showing my dedication to the work I love.
My gpa is also not stellar, but it was justified in my statements.
What got me in I believe is really people can easily tell from everything I submitted that I strive for public health and I have made my fair contribution to the field.
Berkeley's highly integrated program is also what attracted me. I talked with the professor i wanted to work with the most at Berkeley, and he is SUPER. CHILL. and smart. I'll probably pass Berkeley though mainly bc of the cost of living. My GPA didn't earn me much funding, so even when i got in I'd had to give it up. It's really unfortunate.
So if you have a few more years, work hard, save hard, make connections, and then when it's the right time, show them all you've got. I think you'd be a strong candidate. Good luck.
 
Are there any 2021 admitted student groups for UNC? I've managed to find them for every other college except UNC! I'm mulling over just moving out now since I work remotely anyway and want to see if I can connect with some people locally.
 
don’t stress too much about the financial aid as you might get it later. I am also an international student and they emailed me like two weeks after my acceptance for scholarship info
miudookmiu said:
Just received my first acceptance from Emory (MPH-Epi)! A bit disappointed I won't receive any student packs because I'm an international student but super happy since Emory is one of my top choices. Just waiting for JHU GDEC reply.
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CandidlyPip said:
Are there any 2021 admitted student groups for UNC? I've managed to find them for every other college except UNC! I'm mulling over just moving out now since I work remotely anyway and want to see if I can connect with some people locally.
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You should be getting an email about Admitted Students Week soon! There's a link to the admitted students group on Facebook and to register for virtual events.
 
hfz2017 said:
don’t stress too much about the financial aid as you might get it later. I am also an international student and they emailed me like two weeks after my acceptance for scholarship info
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I’m an international student too! Got accepted on 1/20, still waiting for further info about financial aid or awards. 🙁
 
hfz2017 said:
don’t stress too much about the financial aid as you might get it later. I am also an international student and they emailed me like two weeks after my acceptance for scholarship info
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I don't think I'll be eligible for scholarship? I submitted before the priority deadline but there was a problem with WES sending my transcript to SOPHAS that I only realised after the deadline. I'm applying to an external scholarship so I'm hoping that will come through for me as well.
 
I was trying to compare Yale and Emory and try to figure out the pros and cons. I found a good post from last year and wanted to share it. While this is someone personal opinion, it gave me some pointers to think about.

From 2020 discussion board -

forums.studentdoctor.net

MPH - Thank you for helping me choose schools!

I have chosen.
forums.studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net

______________

Congratulations on your acceptances! Both are wonderful schools! As someone else with MPH acceptances from Emory and Yale, I have gathered this information from other forums and a current Yale MPH student.

Yale
  • Although Yale is ranked low for an Ivy League public health school, it has a strong reputation as an institution. If you plan to go into a field outside of science (consulting, business, etc.), the Ivy status is valuable.
  • YSPH has a strong focus on quantitative research over qualitative research. If you plan to do qualitative research or mixed methods, this might not be the best program for you.
  • The biggest difference between Yale and other programs is the extremely small cohort size. Optimistically, if you plan to do a PhD and want to work specifically with someone at Yale, it would be a good idea to connect during your MPH. However, Yale’s PhD cohort is also very small. They usually only take 5-6 PhD candidates per year, so the chances of you staying for a Ph.D. are not as high as they would be if you went to a larger school with more spots.
  • Technically RA/TA spots are reserved for the PhD/Doctorate students (but, you can still get them if something is opened and not claimed)
  • Opinions about New Haven are mixed (the downtown area is hip and very foodie centric, but the outskirts of the city where most students live is not great)
Emory
  • Although not an Ivy, it has a strong reputation in public health, especially in Epidemiology. Within science, Ivy status does not carry as much weight. Remember that the highest-ranking public health school is Hopkins!
  • Rollins has a large cohort size of MPH students as well as students in other public health disciplines. If you are unsure exactly what type of research you’d like to conduct, a school with a larger cohort and more research opportunities, like Emory, might be a better idea.
  • Obviously, Emory has strong connections to the CDC and many MPH students have internships and practicum experience with CDC. If you want to work for the government, it might be a way to get your foot in the door.
  • The MPH program offers opportunities to complete certificates, which are like getting a minor in undergrad. These certificates could be useful if you want to explore other interests in public health and walk away with a more specialized degree.
  • The cost of living in Atlanta seems relatively cheap and there are public transportation options.

[edited to include school comparison alone]

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This isn't really application related, but how have you gone about emailing professors who's work you're interest in? I found a prof who's work im really interested in and aligns closely with some of the research im doing now. I've already been accepted to the school, I just am not sure how to go about reaching out? Or even what the end goal is. I know people have said its important to connect with faculty early on so I was hoping someone could share any experiences they've had doing this?
 
lmarph said:
This isn't really application related, but how have you gone about emailing professors who's work you're interest in? I found a prof who's work im really interested in and aligns closely with some of the research im doing now. I've already been accepted to the school, I just am not sure how to go about reaching out? Or even what the end goal is. I know people have said its important to connect with faculty early on so I was hoping someone could share any experiences they've had doing this?
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Just send them an introductory email stating who you are, your goals, and if they have any spaces open in their lab/group.
 
lmarph said:
This isn't really application related, but how have you gone about emailing professors who's work you're interest in? I found a prof who's work im really interested in and aligns closely with some of the research im doing now. I've already been accepted to the school, I just am not sure how to go about reaching out? Or even what the end goal is. I know people have said its important to connect with faculty early on so I was hoping someone could share any experiences they've had doing this?
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Do it.
I've already landed myself something.
 
I saw someone had linked BU's Financial Aid Application earlier on in this thread. Are we supposed to fill this out even if we haven't gotten an acceptance from BU yet? If so, how do I find out what my BU ID number is? I don't think I ever received one...
 
lmarph said:
This isn't really application related, but how have you gone about emailing professors who's work you're interest in? I found a prof who's work im really interested in and aligns closely with some of the research im doing now. I've already been accepted to the school, I just am not sure how to go about reaching out? Or even what the end goal is. I know people have said its important to connect with faculty early on so I was hoping someone could share any experiences they've had doing this?
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I have and a lot of them said to once I get accepted to reach back out and go from them.
 
aev20 said:
I saw someone had linked BU's Financial Aid Application earlier on in this thread. Are we supposed to fill this out even if we haven't gotten an acceptance from BU yet? If so, how do I find out what my BU ID number is? I don't think I ever received one...
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i was in the same boat! yes unfortunately we do need to fill it out, BU seems quite disorganized because they never sent out an email stating an application portal. to find your ID number, there should be a SOPHAS BU portal which has that number at the top right hand corner. i found that by going into my email and finding the email that they sent right after i submitted my application. there is a link in that email that takes you to a “supplemental questionnaire” (which should’ve been filled out already) so when you go that page should be like “thank you for completing your application” and there’s not much else expect for the ID number. hope that helps!
 
miudookmiu said:
Just received my first acceptance from Emory (MPH-Epi)! A bit disappointed I won't receive any student packs because I'm an international student but super happy since Emory is one of my top choices. Just waiting for JHU GDEC reply.
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I am also waiting for JHU GDEC!
 
natalieminaa said:
i was in the same boat! yes unfortunately we do need to fill it out, BU seems quite disorganized because they never sent out an email stating an application portal. to find your ID number, there should be a SOPHAS BU portal which has that number at the top right hand corner. i found that by going into my email and finding the email that they sent right after i submitted my application. there is a link in that email that takes you to a “supplemental questionnaire” (which should’ve been filled out already) so when you go that page should be like “thank you for completing your application” and there’s not much else expect for the ID number. hope that helps!
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Thanks for your reply! The only thing on this page though is my CAS ID... I don't think that's the same thing though since the financial aid app says the BU ID should have the following format: "U12-34-5678" but mine has a different one.
 
jimin_ said:
what are your stats
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sorry I just saw this. GPA- 3.9, didn't submit GRE. Undergrad major- dietetics with a minor in leadership studies. Working on my credentials to become a registered dietitian right now. 2 years research, held multiple TA positions, abroad experience, and policy internship with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I had some strong rec letters from professors, one of which is currently the president for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
 
chocfullokat said:
You should be getting an email about Admitted Students Week soon! There's a link to the admitted students group on Facebook and to register for virtual events.
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HA, got it this morning. Thank you! I just wasn't patient enough. I've tried to join the FB group but they keep on denying me, so maybe I'm not legit enough yet 🙂
 
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How long did it take your Columbia decision to come in after your name was removed from the portal?
 
Those of you who were accepted to Columbia: when is the deadline to submit your deposit and confirm your spot? Just asking so I can have an idea of when I may get taken from the wait list. Thanks!!
 
aev20 said:
Thanks for your reply! The only thing on this page though is my CAS ID... I don't think that's the same thing though since the financial aid app says the BU ID should have the following format: "U12-34-5678" but mine has a different one.
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ahh well that’s the one i put 🙃 ya couldn’t find anything else and i did receive a confirmation email and no follow up about it being wrong so i’m not too sure what’s going on then :/
 
pimoa said:
Haven't heard back after the interview. Feb 17th , said it should be within the month
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I didn’t know there was supposed to be an interview. When I talked to admissions, they never mentioned it nor is it anywhere on there website. Should I be concerned now? 😅
 
Anyone accepted to Tufts have any new info on when we will get financial aid packages?
 
Does anyone know if getting an MPH would make you qualify for the higher federal unsubsidized loan limits for health professionals? I'm struggling to find concrete info online
 
Is anyone else not considering the rankings in their decisions? For MPH programs they are solely based on peer review and it doesn’t seem like asking some of the faculty and deans at certain schools what they think of other programs would yield meaningful results. The US News rankings for undergrad are already sketch (there’s a great episode of Adam Ruins Everything that talks about it) but these rankings don’t even factor in anything like student satisfaction or post-grad employment. I don’t know though, maybe they have more weight than I think.
 
Anyone know how much Columbia's full time MPH program is on a yearly basis? I tried looking at the student financial page but its a little confusing...
 
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