UNC Health Behavior/Education

[healthwolf]

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I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on the strengths/weaknesses of UNC (particularly the health behavior and education MPH program). I posted about this the other month, but didn't get much in a way of response... I know a few other people expressed interest in the HBHE track, so it really would be great to get some feedback from anybody who's reading!!

I find it a bit strange that despite its ranking/reputation, UNC just doesn't seem to be making much noise on the forums in comparison with other top schools like Hopkins, Emory, Columbia and Yale... So any opinions would be more than appreciated!

 

[healtheworld]

I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on the strengths/weaknesses of UNC (particularly the health behavior and education MPH program). I posted about this the other month, but didn't get much in a way of response... I know a few other people expressed interest in the HBHE track, so it really would be great to get some feedback from anybody who's reading!!

I find it a bit strange that despite its ranking/reputation, UNC just doesn't seem to be making much noise on the forums in comparison with other top schools like Hopkins, Emory, Columbia and Yale... So any opinions would be more than appreciated!

As a former employee in UNC, I can say that I've heard multiple people say that the training/mentoring there is pretty much as good as it gets. There are tons of global/local health opportunities and an energized student activism base. The main weakness, I'll say, is that it's not in a large city like NYC or Boston with a more cosmopolitan population (although it is close to Durham, which has a fairly large low-income population). But they'll help you get connected to an opportunity in those cities if you want it.

 

[MCH DocStudent]

I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on the strengths/weaknesses of UNC (particularly the health behavior and education MPH program). I posted about this the other month, but didn't get much in a way of response... I know a few other people expressed interest in the HBHE track, so it really would be great to get some feedback from anybody who's reading!!

I find it a bit strange that despite its ranking/reputation, UNC just doesn't seem to be making much noise on the forums in comparison with other top schools like Hopkins, Emory, Columbia and Yale... So any opinions would be more than appreciated!

I think that a major reason you are not hearing much on these forums is because of an inherent private school bias that exists in higher education around the world. If you notice, you listed all private schools in that comment. You left out Washington (which is number 4) Michigan (which is I believe number 5) and Cal and UCLA which are both 8. You included Hopkins which is 1 but Emory is 7 (behind UNC, Michigan and Washington), Columbia which is 6 (again behind Washington and Michigan), and Yale which is 16 (way the heck down there).

People have this desire to go to a private and/or Ivy League school and go by the name w/o considering that for a particular field, it is not so good.

 

[JMM051]

The rankings were done in 2007.

As most people have stated in many MANY previous posts there is a definite bias in the rankings as bigger schools tend to have better ratings. Cal and UCLA are mentioned all the time on this board, along with Michigan.

I think many people on this board look at all the factors when choosing a school and are not all going for "name."

 

[Cster0905]

I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on the strengths/weaknesses of UNC (particularly the health behavior and education MPH program). I posted about this the other month, but didn't get much in a way of response... I know a few other people expressed interest in the HBHE track, so it really would be great to get some feedback from anybody who's reading!!

I find it a bit strange that despite its ranking/reputation, UNC just doesn't seem to be making much noise on the forums in comparison with other top schools like Hopkins, Emory, Columbia and Yale... So any opinions would be more than appreciated!

In the public health/medicine world, UNC is very highly considered. They make considerable 'noise' in the field - which really should be your primary interest. As long as UNC is strong in your field of interest (if it's HBHE, they most definitely are) there is really no reason why it shouldn't be one of your top choices all other things (e.g., location, money) held equal.

I've matriculated through UNC's SPH in addition to being admitted to/visiting Hopkins, Columbia, Emory, Michigan, UCLA, Harvard, Yale, Pitt, etc. I'm currently at UCLA and will be at Hopkins next year.

In terms of PH value, faculty, and student body - UNC is fantastic. People like to focus on 'big name' schools on this forum but understand this forum is hardly representative of everyone applying to MPH programs nationwide. Don't let the relative level of discussion (or lack thereof) re: UNC dissuade you or allow you to think you're considering the wrong school. Fantastic facilities, faculty, and alumni who are pumping money into the institution every year (during the spring of my last year at UNC the Gillings donated $50 million).

One thing I think you should keep in mind (and something that is lost on many of the people on these forums) is that the PH world, despite its inherent breadth of scope, is small. People know people. Getting your MPH/DRPH/PhD at UNC SPH means A LOT. From my personal experiences of working in the field and going to schools all over the country (west coast, DC, etc) UNC is represented all of the time. Many of its faculty are leaders in their fields.

I wouldn't worry about how little people are talking about it on this forum. Great school.

 

[Regression]

Something interesting about UNC's HBE program is that according to their published Admission Statistics (found here: http://www.sph.unc.edu/prospective_students/admissions_statistics_8508_9014.html), admitted HBE students have the highest average (mean, not median--in this case) composite GRE score. I'm used to seeing Epi/BioStat divisions having the highest composite scores, and not just Quant.

Seems to me, also, that UNC really favors students that aren't just applying straight out of undergrad as they stress work/research experience in multiple areas throughout their admissions section--citing CDC/Peace and AmeriCorps quite a few times.

Just food for thought.

 

[UNCHEBE2013]

I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on the strengths/weaknesses of UNC (particularly the health behavior and education MPH program). I posted about this the other month, but didn't get much in a way of response... I know a few other people expressed interest in the HBHE track, so it really would be great to get some feedback from anybody who's reading!!

I find it a bit strange that despite its ranking/reputation, UNC just doesn't seem to be making much noise on the forums in comparison with other top schools like Hopkins, Emory, Columbia and Yale... So any opinions would be more than appreciated!

I would not let the "noise" be any indication of the strengths or weaknesses of attending UNC. I am a current HBHE student and I must say I am thoroughly impressed with the program. It is incredibly challenging but you will leave this program exceptionally prepared for this field. I feel he biggest strength is NO capstone thesis! Unless you have already made up your mind to pursue a PhD, I don't understand why most school require this. Its not good, or rather relevant, PH training. We have a capstone team where we work with a PH org year long and have deliverables by the end. This, to me, is more relevant. So that is a big strength. A weakness, they are in a budget crunch like every other school. Jobs are not scarce but you do have to work harder to find one than in previous years. The upside is there is a HUGE school of medicine and a lot of HBHEs work for projects there, not just in SPH. Also, since every school has a tight budget these days, its great to know your getting the biggest bang for your buck.

Please let me know if you have ANY questions (life in CH, course offered, professors, etc). And good luck!