SDSU or UC Berkeley MPH?

[dev7243]

Hey everyone, I was accepted into UCLA, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and SDSU (all for MPH Epi/Biostats concentration). I've narrowed it down to Berkeley or SDSU. I'm leaning toward SDSU b/c of the lower tuition, but Cal's reputation/ranking is so hard to ignore! I also currently live in SD (went to UCSD for undergrad) & would really love to work in SD for a couple years after receiving my MPH, but eventually I do want to end up in the bay. Any advice or info on either of the two programs is greatly appreciated!

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[UrbanRiver]

If you wanna work in the bay... u should go Berkeley. You can correct if I'm wrong, but one of the major things about mph programs is networking with your classmates and organizations around you.. I only did my undergrad at Berkeley and majored in pub health. Even just as an undergrad I got major connections to pub health opportunities in the bay.. and pub health at Berkeley is widely respected. I don't know what the price diff is.. but i wouldn't even question the choice.

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[kutmasta]

Go to Berkeley. The prestige gap is pretty big between these two. Also you mentioned you want to end up in the bay eventually. Going to Cal will get you some networking and better companies will probably go to Cal to recruit. Good luck!

 

[dev7243]

If you wanna work in the bay... u should go Berkeley. You can correct if I'm wrong, but one of the major things about mph programs is networking with your classmates and organizations around you.. I only did my undergrad at Berkeley and majored in pub health. Even just as an undergrad I got major connections to pub health opportunities in the bay.. and pub health at Berkeley is widely respected. I don't know what the price diff is.. but i wouldn't even question the choice.

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I'm mostly just worried about the debt. I already owe $34k from undergrad & the price diff. after 2 years b/w Cal & SDSU is $44k vs. $16k... so I can choose to owe $78k or $50k. Would you say in the long run that it's still worth it? Thanks!

 

[PointEstimate]

I'm mostly just worried about the debt. I already owe $34k from undergrad & the price diff. after 2 years b/w Cal & SDSU is $44k vs. $16k... so I can choose to owe $78k or $50k. Would you say in the long run that it's still worth it? Thanks!

Over the course of your career, you'll probably make that difference up, but you might always regret not going to Cal. As an MPH grad, I agree with UrbanRiver - networking is really important in grad school. In the master's program I went to (UMich), it felt like there was always the concern for what's next (and that might just be the nature of the beast given that the program is only 2 years long and those 2 years can and will sneak up on you). Also, I think there are just more opportunities available to you at Berkeley than SDSU (i.e. research is probably of higher caliber). That to me is the selling point.

Go Bears!

 

[blackmetal]

I would totally go to Berkeley. First, you want to work in the Bay. Second, the difference is only 28k and you can easily make that up over the years. Third, you've been living in SD the past four years, so Berkeley for 2 would be a good change. Also, it would be a lot easier getting jobs with the MPH from Cal in San Diego than vice versa. The experience of being a Berkeley student has no price.

 

[BKays]

If I got into Berkeley I would def take that opportunity that's given to you. Also, when did you hear back from SDSU?

 

[soomee]

I would choose Cal MAINLY because you stated you want to end up in the Bay area. As everyone has said, Cal's reputation is great and you get opportunities to work in the CA's public health department.

However, I'm very concerned looking at your loans. $28k is not a small amount and, when put together with your undergrad loans, you'll be paying it off for a while. Remember that subsidized loans for grad students are no longer available. I'm not sure if you're originally from the bay area, but rent around Berkeley is sky high (greedy landlords and large demand for housing) for subpar places.

It certainly seems like an additional $28k is nothing, especially when you're at a new start in your life. I suggest you take a closer look at starting salaries for professions you want to pursue ($40-50k for most...but remember income tax takes out a huge chunk if you're single), where you want to be staying, how comfortably you want to be living and how long you want to be paying off your loans. Use an online calculator for student loans to figure this out.

Do you know if you can work as a research assistant or something and have tuition waived? I think UCLA does this but not sure about other UCs.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[dev7243]

If I got into Berkeley I would def take that opportunity that's given to you. Also, when did you hear back from SDSU?

I received a letter from SDSU 03/20 & it was dated 03/15. However, my admission status online has not been updated.

 

[dev7243]

I would choose Cal MAINLY because you stated you want to end up in the Bay area. As everyone has said, Cal's reputation is great and you get opportunities to work in the CA's public health department.

However, I'm very concerned looking at your loans. $28k is not a small amount and, when put together with your undergrad loans, you'll be paying it off for a while. Remember that subsidized loans for grad students are no longer available. I'm not sure if you're originally from the bay area, but rent around Berkeley is sky high (greedy landlords and large demand for housing) for subpar places.

It certainly seems like an additional $28k is nothing, especially when you're at a new start in your life. I suggest you take a closer look at starting salaries for professions you want to pursue ($40-50k for most...but remember income tax takes out a huge chunk if you're single), where you want to be staying, how comfortably you want to be living and how long you want to be paying off your loans. Use an online calculator for student loans to figure this out.

Do you know if you can work as a research assistant or something and have tuition waived? I think UCLA does this but not sure about other UCs.

Good luck with your decision!

Thanks for the advice! I just looked into research assistant positions and about 70% of my tuition would be paid for during each semester I worked. I'm looking into this more to determine how likely it is to secure a position for at least 3 semesters (I'm assuming I probably won't get a position my first semester).