Worried about Applying...

[sonya10]

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Hey everyone,

I'm getting a little worried reading the threads on here. I would really like to apply to MPH schools next year but don't know if I'm a very good candidate.

I'm a senior and just recently decided to go into public health. I started college early at a young age, started out premed with very little motivation, and got some VERY low grades. The last quarter of my junior year I finally decided to switch to public health, which I really enjoy. I've pulled up my grades a little in the last couple quarters, and was able to bring my GPA up to a 3.1. I have a couple more quarters to go, but with the number of credits I have, that GPA won't move much. Will this really hurt me? It seems like a lot of other applicants have really high GPAs or great extracurriculars.

I have some extracurriculars but not much. I have volunteered at Lifelong AIDS Alliance for 1.5 years and just recently started at a children's clinic, and have been a Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters for 2 years. Does applying to an MPH program seem like an option for me? I know that most schools say they want a minimum 3.0 GPA but I'm just afraid they will shut me out right off the bat because my grades aren't as high as many other applicants.

Any advice? And anything I can do to improve my odds? Thanks!

 

[timaq]

I got into Tulane Epi with a 3.07 gpa, GRE 470V 720Q, some shadowing, minimal volunteering, and a month long stint in Africa. Tulane is a good school. I think you should be fine. Get international experience!

 

[kam77]

my two cents:

1. try to get a decent to a high GRE score (perhaps in the 90th percentile or above in all three sections). so buy some prep books NOW and get on those practice tests already.

2. have some of your professors write you TERRIFIC letters of recommendation. they should, rather must vouch for your ability to do graduate-level schoolwork.

3. try your best to have excellent grades for the remainder of your undergrad year(s). it is often argued that adcoms 'like' to see an upward trend in an applicant's grades.

4. write an EXTRAORDINARY and very FOCUSED personal statement/essay. this cannot be emphasized enough. the personal statement/essay is the only opportunity you have to make a case for yourself as a candidate (with the exception of some programs which give interviews). so reach out to your professors, career services at your school. they will provide you with tremendous help in this regard.

5. choose CAREFULLY among the numerous MPH programs. in other words, find those schools that are a 'fit' for you (where there are people you'd like to work with and learn from, etc...). More importantly, look for schools/programs for which you are a good 'fit'.

6. the quantity of extracurriculars is not an issue, i think. what matters is the quality. Being involved with one or two student organizations/clubs is great, rising through the ranks is even better. too many extracurriculars might not only detract you from your studies, but also they could be interpreted as a lack of focus on your part. the same goes for the service you are doing in your community: keep it simple, but try to shine and excel at whatever you are doing.

7. apply EARLY. let me say this again: apply EARLY, that is whenever applications become available. some schools have rolling admissions, so you may wanna get on those ASAP.

so yeah, i think public health IS an option. there are many schools in the country, each looking for different kinds of applicants. you just have to work a bit hard to find your match. again, great things can really happen for you. don't get discouraged. have faith and work harder. i guarantee you the rewards will be great for that extra effort you will be putting in. i wish all the best!

 

[classicvendetta]

Kam77 has some great suggestions but I don't think you're weak an applicant as you might think.

Public health schools admissions committees put more emphasis on related experience, not grades. They know that many public health applicants started as pre-med, got less than stellar grades, then "saw the light" and decided to change routes-you're not alone! However, the fact that you not only have health-related experience but more specifically public health experience is strongly in your favor. In all of my interviews, the interviewers were excited to ask and talk about my experiences. Not once did classes, my grades or my GPA score come into the conversation. Not once did they ask me "Why public health?" or "Why health administration?", because I already had demonstrated my interest though actions. As long as you've done moderately well in your non-science courses, you'll be fine.

 

[Caolainn]

The above suggestions are excellent. One more thing to add: contact faculty you'd want to work with. If you can figure out what you want to do and invest significant energy in showing that school that you would really like to go there, your odds of getting accepted improve. This feeds into kam77's suggestion #4.

Also- since you're taking a year off, make sure you do something related that will show your passion and commitment to public health.

 

[pinkhawk2010]

Although it is really important to do well in school it is also important to be experienced. From the looks of it you are very involved in relevant activities but as others have noted I would continue getting more experience. As far as GPAs go, it also depends on what school you went to. Having a high GPA isn't everything but it is important. A school may take into account the type of school you went to relative to your GPA. Like, if you went to a REALLY rigorous/difficult school, a slightly lower GPA may be taken lighter. DEFINITELY try to do well on your GRE, awesome recommendation letters, and perhaps address your grades in the personal statement explaining your circumstances but def. emphasize passion and show that you really researched the field and the departments at prospective schools you want to attend.

 

[erikalindsay]

To the poster who said to shoot for 90% in each section of the GRE...that high of a score is really not necessary for most MPH programs.

To the OP, I don't think you're in a terrible position. Write good personal statements, do well on the GRE (90%+ isn't necessary so don't feel discouraged if you don't hit those marks), and get some good letters of recommendation, and you'll likely get in somewhere.

 

[sonya10]

Thanks a lot guys, this really keeps me going. I don't know that many people who are going into public health so it's really nice to hear from people who are doing it. I've been trying really hard to build up valuable and consistent extracurriculars, but am finding it a little difficult to keep up given the pressure to get really good grades these next couple quarters. I'll start studying for the GRE now and work on making some better connections with my professors.

If I take a year off, does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do in that time? Should I continue volunteering more or try to find a job in the field?