New to MPH....Questions

[jtom]

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I am 24 years old. I graduated with a bachelors in biology 12/2008. Due to the economy I have not been able to land anything, let it be entry level employment or an internship. I recently decided to apply to vet school but am looking elsewhere as I would have to spend another couple of years to get the experience needed to stand a chance. I am just very nervous about being 26 and possibly not getting in vet school, so here I am. Anyways, I have always looked at MPH but not too closely. I wanted to start this fall but am not sure if its too late but the deadlines at schools I have looked at are not until july (I can apply immediately).

So my stats are: 3.69 cumultative gpa, 3.5 biology gpa, 1110 GRE-540 verbal, 570 quantitative, 4.0 analytical (not sure if I can use my first anayltical score of 4.5 from the first time I took it or not). My biggest weakness is my GRE is low and I have no health related experience. I did participate in biology research (impact of insecticides on amphibian immune system) for one semester but I will assume that is not relevant. However, I keep reading on school web sites that they target working professionals or students trying to gain entry in the field, so not sure how much experience plays a role. The one mph concentration I like the most is environmental health as it is more biology related. I really have no preference to what schools I apply to, I do not care if they are ivy league or prestigious, I will apply anywhere really. I just had alot of questions for you guys:

-Do I stand a chance?
-The deadlines are in the summer but I am not sure if most schools are full?
-How much does experience factor into admissions?
-Are there good career opportunities with an environmental health concentration? I really do not like math much so I know biostatitics would be out.
-Cost is a huge issue for me. Can you obtain in state rates at most schools after the first year? (most vet programs I researched will not let you get IS rates after the first year-remember I am 24).
-As I said, my lack of experience is an issue and not only that I have never had a real job, so I must go into a program that requires an internship. I thought it might be best to go to a school near a large city so there is more opportunities available. Is that logical?
- Anyone recommendations for schools?
-Which concentrations have the highest salaries/job opportunities? While I would like to do something biology related, salaries/job opportunities are another important factor to me.

Im sure I will come up with more questions but that is it for now.

Thanks!

 

[treeshadow]

I only know a little as of now but I hope it helps somewhat. There are many others here who more familiar with which schools are good for which concentrations, they will be able to help you out with that.

I think you do have a chance but based on what I understand, most schools are more interested in knowing what drives you to obtain a MPH, and in your case, why environmental health. The motivation will have to be reflected on your personal statements and interviews. The GRE requirement varies with different schools and concentrations, I think 1100 should be able to get you somewhere - since you don't mind the rankings.

Regarding the deadline, are you sure it's in the summer? Most schools that I've checked so far either had deadlines way back or rolling admissions until class is full. I know for sure University of Minnesota's was April 15th and I thought that's pretty late already compared to many others, and University of Memphis is still accepting applications as of now.

Hope this helps some!

 

[Meadow10]

Loma Linda University has a great Environmental Health program. They are still accepting applications for the Fall. Maybe Summer? I am not sure. www.llu.edu/public-health.
Starting salaries for Environmental Health professionals are $44,500 - $100,000!

 

[Stories]

I think for someone like you, it might be wise to figure out if public health (and more specifically, environmental health) is the right choice for you. Research what environmental health is and see if that's what you're interested in. You can take EH in a variety of different directions: disaster management, toxicology, risk assessment, exposure assessment, environmental epidemiology, and on. Salaries vary widely, but first and foremost, it's not the most lucrative field. You won't ever be poor, but chances are you won't be wealthy, either.

 

[jtom]

I guess I could always switch cocentrations while in the program. I was hoping to find a nice middle ground for my concentration: biology/environmental related but decent salaries. I dont have to be weathly, i just need a salary to where I am comfortable. I didnt want to make it look like making money was important in that i wanted to be weathly, I was just emphasizing it as i dont want to be living pay check to pay check.