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

[NotAnotherStatistic]

Hey everyone! Best of luck finalizing your submissions and awaiting decisions. Thank you everyone for posting your experiences, questions, doubts, and thoughts. Hoping that the admissions committee enjoys my ability to balance my extracurriculars outside of academics/work. Hopeful that my quant score will get overlooked as a result.

Undergraduate School/School type: Community College + UCLA
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.74/3.55
Major/minor: Statistics/Mexican Studies
GRE(including date taken): V162 Q160 W4

Experience/research:
- 5 + years research experience working as a research assistant at major US hospital; provide statistical analysis research writing; provide follow-up care for non-English families during the screening process; program provides health screenings for low-income children
- Secondary author on two publications
- presented poster presentations nationally and internationally
- Co-founded a business that matches mentor from a professional field to undergraduate students; created the algorithm with pairs them via R; business provides other services related to application for professional programs such as mock interviews, personal statement writing, etc.
- National record holder in a sport (think time based sport such as swimming, biking, running); currently compete nationally and internationally
- UCLA Scholar Athlete of the Year(sport-specific), Runner-up PAC 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year (sport-specific)

1st gen college student, 1st in my family to attend graduate school


Letters of Rec: 1 Statistics professor, 1 research program director, 1 coach


Interests: Biostatistics, Health disparities

Applied: Harvard, JHU, Tulane, UC Davis, UC Irvine, USC, OHSU (11/10 initially, but then had to resubmit due to transcript error, 11/23 approx. resubmission for all)
Accepted: Tulane (11/25)
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:

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[MPHSeekerrr]

Did anyone else submit their Columbia application yesterday 12/1, get the portal email today, login and see that they list the application submission date as 12/2? It was verified and submitted in Sophas on 12/1. Should I contact them?

 

[viviannneeee]

Received my acceptance to Chapel Hill a few days ago. Can anyone shed light on that program?

 

[zubear]

Did anyone else submit their Columbia application yesterday 12/1, get the portal email today, login and see that they list the application submission date as 12/2? It was verified and submitted in Sophas on 12/1. Should I contact them?

I submitted late in the night, just before the deadline and I don't see any date on the portal yet. See screenshot below. Am I looking at the right place?

 

[Eyedontknowanymore]

Did anyone submit their app yesterday 12/1 and already get verified? I’ve heard of people getting verified in 24 hours guess that’s just my case haha

 

[ColdSore200]

Hello! I have now applied to 3 of the 7 programs I intend on applying to. I'm nervous about my lack of experience outside the classroom. I am only 20 and graduating in 3 years, so a lack of time plus COVID has kinda limited my engagement. Thank you to everyone in this thread for all your help. If anyone has advice on other programs I should apply to, my ears are open!

Undergraduate School/School type: Liberal arts college in PA
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.49
Major/minor: Double Major in Global Health Studies and Spanish
Grad GPA (if applicable): N/A
Grad studies (if applicable): N/A
GRE(including date taken): N/A

Experience/research:
-4 years and 180+ hours as Blood donor ambassador at Red Cross
- 4 months as volunteer for a resident services provider in Southern California
- active senior member of mental health club on campus
- 2 semesters (so far) working on senior research project that combines global health and Spanish
- semester study abroad in Spanish language program in Seville, Spain
- semester as a peer note taker for physically disabled students

Letters of Rec:
- Professor / global health major advisor
- Professor for two global health courses
- Professor for 2 Spanish courses / Spanish major advisor / 1 of 2 faculty readers for senior project

Interests: Epidemiology: social epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, and chronic disease all areas of interest. Sexual minority health and migrant health are other interests.

Applied: NYU (11/29), Columbia (11/30), UCLA (12/1), Brown (12/16), GWU (1/5) Mt. Sinai (1/20)
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:

 

[MPHSeekerrr]

I submitted late in the night, just before the deadline and I don't see any date on the portal yet. See screenshot below. Am I looking at the right place?

View attachment 324261

I logged in again and I see the same as you. This morning there was a different page. Thanks!

 

[Eyedontknowanymore]

Mine was verified really quickly. It was within 24 hours. The next day, both Harvard and JHU responded to let me know that my app was complete.

Was it your first time submitting an app? I was hoping to be considered for priority, but I read that as long as you submit by the 1st you should be fine. Didn’t say anything about verification. Ughhhh I’m nervous

 

[jimin_]

how long did GWU take for a decision?

 

[ny305]

how long did GWU take for a decision?

I applied on 10/17, under review 10/23, accepted 12/02 so the process for me took a little over a month to hear back

 

[MPHSeekerrr]

Did anyone else apply to the Hopkins MPH program and hasn’t received a confirmation from the school?

 

[She-Hulk]

Undergraduate School/School type: Umich
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.78
Major/minor: Public Health with a minor in Spanish
Grad studies (if applicable): Taking 3 graduate level courses through Umich School of Public Health
GRE(including date taken): n/a

Experience/research:
-4 months as a Public Policy Intern at a HIV/AIDS nonprofit
-4 months as a Contact Tracer
-2 months as a Research Assistant for epidemiology lab studying COVID-19 immunology
-1 year as a Personal Care Assistant for a woman with cerebral palsy and cognitive disorders
-6 months as a Research Assistant for developmental psych lab
-4 months Planned Parenthood volunteer/escort
-1.5 years as a Health and Wellness Peer Educator for my Sorority
-1 semester as a Teaching Assistant for a Criminal Justice Course
-1 semester as a volunteer at a foster care center for teen girls
-3 years on the health committee for a public health based student org

Letters of Rec: supervisor of my internship, mother of the woman I was a personal care assistant for (we worked very closely together), professor for a class I took about infectious diseases in the school of public health

Interests: global health, infectious diseases

Applied: BU, NYU, Yale, Umich, Berkeley, Northwestern, possibly Emory and UCLA

That's a lot of amazing experiences! For global health you could consider also applying to JHU, Harvard, Tulane, Emory, Brown, U of Minn, and UNC, though I think it is good to have a solid background in a field with hard skills and then make those marketable as a stepping stone to get a global health job. Yale is good for research, I don't think NYU and BU are quite as good for global health related stuff, definitely think about applying to top schools.

 

[jadedray]

Received my acceptance to Chapel Hill a few days ago. Can anyone shed light on that program?

Hello,
When did you submit and how long was the process?

 

[statetrooper]

Undergraduate School/School type: Large Private Research Uni in NE.
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.42/3.85 (3.8+ jun/sen years)
Major/minor: Health Science, minored in Public Health
GRE: Not taking it.

Experience/research:
In College:

• Summer interned for the Department of Public Health in a major U.S. city. Gained programmatic and policy experience.
• Co-taught an undergrad introductory biology lab.
• Co-taught an undergrad organic chemistry prep course.
• Interned for a State Health and Human Services department analyzing and referring student disability applications.
• Interned at a U.K. NIH partner organization where I assisted in drafting patient safety protocols and creating clinician safety trainings.
• Served as a patient advocate and benefits liaison for a non-profit located within a major health system.

Post College:

• 2 years at a Department of Public Health in a major U.S. city as a post grad fellow. During both years, met with the health commissioner monthly for policy discussions.
  • Year 1 in an HIV department.
  • Year 2 in a Substance Use department.
    • Year 2 altered by COVID-19. Transitioned to the COVID-19 response team doing direct patient contact field work for 4 months.
• Currently at the Health Department in a new position working on health disparities initiatives and harm reduction campaigns.

Letters of Rec:
Undergrad Public health professor/mentor: 3 courses (A, A, A-) and continue to communicate with.
Undergrad Public health professor/faculty advisor: 2 courses with (B+, A) one of which was Epi.
Undergrad Public health professor: 1 course (A-)
Professional: department director who I directly reported to for a year.

Interests: Epi infectious diseases, geospatial analysis, health disparities. I'll be applying to all MPH Epi programs.
Other Factors: 1st Gen American & WOC

Applied: Boston U (11/16), Columbia (12/1), Drexel (11/16), Emory (11/15), George Washington (11/19), Hopkins (11/29), Yale (11/23). Verified 11/18.
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:

I know my GPA isn't great (I was premed and going through some things freshman and sophomore years), but my transcripts show an upward trajectory: all A's and A-'s junior and senior years when I took all public health courses.

Good luck to everyone applying! I hope you all have as close to a stress-free experience as possible!

Your stats are the same as mine and we are applying to the same schools! Good luck my friend!

 

[viviannneeee]

Hello,
When did you submit and how long was the process?

Hi there!
I submitted my application on 9/25, it was verified in late October (I had a recommendation letter that took a while!), and I got accepted in late November. So pretty much 2 months from submitted to accepted.

 

[jvrichard]

Did anyone else apply to the Hopkins MPH program and hasn’t received a confirmation from the school?

I submitted (and verified) 11/30 and haven't heard from the school either

 

[zubear]

Did anyone else apply to the Hopkins MPH program and hasn’t received a confirmation from the school?

Applied to JHU on 11/29 and got confirmation today, with link to admissions portal to check status and any missing information.

 

[MPHSeekerrr]

Your stats are the same as mine and we are applying to the same schools! Good luck my friend!

You as well!!

 

[jo2000]

Undergraduate School/School type: Michigan State University, Big 10 University

Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.69 / SOPHAS Verified: 3.39 (Disappointing but I think my STEM courses brought me down :-/ )

Major/minor: Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science: Concentration in Health and Society, Pre-Med Track
Minor in Peace and Justice Studies

Experience/research:

- 6 Years in HOSA-Future Health Professionals, One year served as a HOSA State Officer
- 3 years as a Coach / Asst. Coach Volunteer for Girls on the Run
- 3 years as an Annual Volunteer at a local Fire Department for community events.
- 3 years in a Panhellenic Sorority, One year served on Leadership Council as a Philanthropy Chairman
Involvement in multiple committees with Panhellenic Council
-1 year as an Army ROTC Cadet

- Member of Order of Omega Honor Society
- Field Intern for a Local Congress Race
- 7 months as an intern at a local nonprofit for Pregnant Women and Infants

Total Volunteer Hours in all of Undergrad: ~500 Hours of Community Service between Service opportunities provided by Extra Curricular organizations, Volunteering at the Fire Department, and Volunteering for GOTR
Letters of Rec:
1 letter from my supervisor at the Non-profit I interned at.
1 letter from an office at the local Fire Department I volunteer for
1 letter from my HOSA State Advisor
1 letter from my HOSA Local Advisors

Interests: Maternal and Infant Health, Health Policy, Community Health


Applied: University of Michigan (12/1 verified) George Washington (12/1 verified) Boston University (12/1 verified) University of Illinois- Chicago (12/1 verified)
Accepted:
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:
I am a bit nervous as I am graduating a year early from the University and feel I might not have enough experience compared to most now that I look at these threads!! I was more involved in community service rather than Research in my undergrad which I'm not sure if that will hurt me. I was confident with my application before I got my SOPHAS verified GPA, I am really unsure what to expect! I feel the University of Michigan and Boston may be a reach now, but we will see!

 

[limpraisin]

It depends on the program! Typically, for most programs, they want it submitted by the deadline. However, for certain programs (such as Columbia) they want it verified by SOPHAS by the deadline.

Where did you get this info? I saw on their website that the final deadline is 1/15 for MPH programs. It says the 12/1 is the "preferred deadline" not sure what that means.

 

[jo2000]

Where did you get this info? I saw on their website that the final deadline is 1/15 for MPH programs. It says the 12/1 is the "preferred deadline" not sure what that means.

It's usually a Priority Deadline! Apply by December 1st to be looked at for full considerations of the programs!

 

[limpraisin]

It's usually a Priority Deadline! Apply by December 1st to be looked at for full considerations of the programs!

Does this mean then that I will not be considered ...? I got SOPHAS verified 12/2 but I was sent the Columbia portal on 12/1.

 

[titoincali]

Undergraduate School/School type: liberal arts, also did post bacc work at a state university
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.1
Major/minor: Psychology
Grad GPA (if applicable): 4.0
Grad studies (if applicable): MD
GRE(including date taken): Did not take, submitted MCAT scores from 2005

Experience/research: - almost 5 years of translational public health research at Stanford
- Global Health Fellowship with PIH during Mexico
- 5 years working as a physician post residency
- 3 years as a medical director of public health in Indian country
- current medical director in FQHC
- lots of presentations and panels on addiction medicine
- assistant clinical professor in addition medicine

Letters of Rec: 3 (Current boss, past boss, fellowship director)

Interests: mental health, native health, addiction medicine, building capacity

Applied: UW Executive MPH, Berkeley online MPH, UND Indigenous health MPH, UMN Executive MPH, UIC Online MPH, Boston U Executive MPH, Dartmouth online MPH, Harvard MS Epi, Yale Executive MPH, Johns Hopkins online MPH, NYU online MPH, UA online MPH

Accepted: UIC, UMN, NYU (with scholarship), Johns Hopkins, Yale Executive MPH, UND Indigenous Health MPH, Dartmouth, Harvard
Rejected:
Waitlisted:
Attending:

 

[Eyedontknowanymore]

Hey guys how long did it take for yalls apps to be verified? I submitted 12/1 and still haven't been verified. I know it goes in the order thatt they're received but im getting anxious. Also, has anyone applied to Minnesota, University of Washington -Seattle or UT-Houston and heard back already?

 

[rtr2020]

Anyone know when Columbia starts responding? I submitted nov 16

 

[limpraisin]

Hey guys how long did it take for yalls apps to be verified? I submitted 12/1 and still haven't been verified. I know it goes in the order thatt they're received but im getting anxious. Also, has anyone applied to Minnesota, University of Washington -Seattle or UT-Houston and heard back already?

Took me almost exactly 48 hours

 

[tcullen]

Hey guys how long did it take for yalls apps to be verified? I submitted 12/1 and still haven't been verified. I know it goes in the order thatt they're received but im getting anxious. Also, has anyone applied to Minnesota, University of Washington -Seattle or UT-Houston and heard back already?

I applied to Minnesota and Washington! On 12/1 Minnesota emailed me confirming they received my application and said they would have a decision in about 4 weeks. I think that Washington sends out interview requests starting in January and decisions more towards March.

 

[jvlewis97]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here had leadership positions in a sorority/fraternity and if you included this in your SOPHAS application? I was really involved in my sorority and was fortunate enough to serve as president of the panhellenic council and as chapter president. I'm really proud of my time in these roles but I know there is a bit of a taboo around greek life and these experiences are not public health related, so I'm not sure if I should include these.

If anyone did included greek life, did you include it in the experiences section or additional experiences section?

Thanks so much in advance.

I was philanthropy chair for my fraternity and we won a national philanthropic award while I was serving. I put this in my award's section, but didn't mention my involvement in greek life anywhere else in my application; not even in my resume. But I don't think including it or not will have any impact on your application as long as it doesn't stray focus from your more important achievements.

 

[MPHSeekerrr]

Anyone know when Columbia starts responding? I submitted nov 16

I believe they send out admissions letters in batches. The first being in January.

 

[Eyedontknowanymore]

I applied to Minnesota and Washington! On 12/1 Minnesota emailed me confirming they received my application and said they would have a decision in about 4 weeks. I think that Washington sends out interview requests starting in January and decisions more towards March.

I thought they did interview requests just for certain programs. Do you know which programs request interviews? Also if you don't mind when did you submit your apps for Minnesota and when was it verified?

 

[adventuring-girl]

Received my acceptance to Chapel Hill a few days ago. Can anyone shed light on that program?

How long were you waiting for that response?

 

[tcullen]

I thought they did interview requests just for certain programs. Do you know which programs request interviews? Also if you don't mind when did you submit your apps for Minnesota and when was it verified?

Oh, you're definitely right! I applied for the MPH in nutritional sciences which requires interviews but I don't think all programs do. I submitted to Minnesota on 10/20 and was verified the next day.

 

[Eyedontknowanymore]

Oh, you're definitely right! I applied for the MPH in nutritional sciences which requires interviews but I don't think all programs do. I submitted to Minnesota on 10/20 and was verified the next day.

Yeah the program I applied to didn't have an interview I freaked out for a sec hahaha. I'm hoping you get into your desired programs! Who knows maybe we'll be on the same campus one day!

 

[deleted1022009]

Undergraduate School/School type: University of Florida
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 4.0
Major/minor: Microbiology (major), Anthropology (minor)
GRE(including date taken): Taken 8/28 - V: 159, Q: 163, W: 5.0

Experience/research:
2 years as an undergrad research assistant in a microbiology lab
1.5+ years (cuurent) as an undergrad research assistant in infectious disease epidemiological modeling lab
2 associated publications (neither as primary author)
TA for intro python-based network epidemiology course
120+ hrs volunteering at local VA hospital
Summer study aboard in Mexico (basic epidemiology and Spanish focus)
3 years working as an intramural basketball official

Letters of Rec:
1. PI and mentor from epi lab
2. PI from microbio lab
3. Former sports official supervisor

Interests:
Infectious disease epidemiology, computational modeling, pandemic preparedness

Applied:
Emory (MSPH Epi), GWU (MS Epi), Harvard (MS Epi), JHU (MHS Epi), UPitt (MS Epi), UCLA (MS Epi) --- SOPHAS Verified 11/10
Yale (MS Epi of Infectious Diseases) --- Submitted completely 11/20
LSHTM (MS Epi) --- Submitted completely 11/20

Accepted:
GWU (11/25), UPitt (11/25), JHU (12/3), LSHTM (11/24)

 

[Lee2020]

Anyone know when JHop notifies candidates re: Bloomberg Fellowship award? I had emailed them a while back and they said March, but that just seems too long!

 

[deleted1022009]

Anyone know when JHop notifies candidates re: Bloomberg Fellowship award? I had emailed them a while back and they said March, but that just seems too long!

I'm unfortunately unaware. I did not apply through the MPH route.

 

[jo2000]

Does this mean then that I will not be considered ...? I got SOPHAS verified 12/2 but I was sent the Columbia portal on 12/1.

Don't fret, you'll still be considered!!! It's just for your best chances, to apply by December 1st! I think you'll be okay for full consideration as long as they received it the 1st. Either way, your application will still be looked at!

 

[jo2000]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here had leadership positions in a sorority/fraternity and if you included this in your SOPHAS application? I was really involved in my sorority and was fortunate enough to serve as president of the panhellenic council and as chapter president. I'm really proud of my time in these roles but I know there is a bit of a taboo around greek life and these experiences are not public health related, so I'm not sure if I should include these.

If anyone did included greek life, did you include it in the experiences section or additional experiences section?

Thanks so much in advance.

I included mine! I was Philanthropy Chair for my sorority, for which we received an award during my term as well! It's relevant to your professional story, and even though it's not public health-related, it shows that you dedicated your time in undergrad to being a strong leader! Being Panhellenic President and CP are no easy tasks! I think it shows your perseverance and drive as well. I know that this differed from the other comment, but I think you should include anything in your application that was important to you!

 

[fomitesandfrenchfries]

Anyone know when Columbia starts responding? I submitted nov 16

I attended a virtual open house a while ago and they said if you submitted by the priority deadline you'll hear back the third week of January.

 

[JerryBerry]

Hey guys how long did it take for yalls apps to be verified? I submitted 12/1 and still haven't been verified. I know it goes in the order thatt they're received but im getting anxious. Also, has anyone applied to Minnesota, University of Washington -Seattle or UT-Houston and heard back already?

I applied to Minnesota & UT-Houston, have not heard back from either. Minnesota sent my application to admissions committee this Monday (Nov. 30) and said it would take around 6 weeks to hear back. UT-Houston application says it's currently being reviewed (as of Nov. 18) and they email said 4-6 weeks (however one of the advisors said 2-4 weeks).

 

[Eyedontknowanymore]

I applied to Minnesota & UT-Houston, have not heard back from either. Minnesota sent my application to admissions committee this Monday (Nov. 30) and said it would take around 6 weeks to hear back. UT-Houston application says it's currently being reviewed (as of Nov. 18) and they email said 4-6 weeks (however one of the advisors said 2-4 weeks).

Praying for the best outcome for you!! I'm still waiting on SOPHAS to verify my app which has everything already submitted 😅

 

[Sunshine2021]

Where did you get this info? I saw on their website that the final deadline is 1/15 for MPH programs. It says the 12/1 is the "preferred deadline" not sure what that means.

Preferred deadlines mean full considerations for funding aka scholarships.

 

[1111yml]

I did not get any contact from JHU or Emory (submitted & verified on Dec 1) about confirmation or portal set up instruction. Is this normal? Did I make the deadline?

 

[reformedpremed]

I did not get any contact from JHU or Emory (submitted & verified on Dec 1) about confirmation or portal set up instruction. Is this normal? Did I make the deadline?

Emory doesn't start loading any applications into their system until next week at the earliest. Hopkins sent me an email regarding an application portal 4-5 days after my application was verified. You're likely in the clear!

 

[viviannneeee]

How long were you waiting for that response?

2 months from application submitted to receiving my acceptance. I don’t know much about the program so I’m not sure I’ll attend!

 

[laurensmith]

Hi! I have been following the thread and threads of previous years for many months. Thank you and all the best to everyone!

Undergraduate School/School type: International
Undergrad GPA/Major GPA: 3.0 (WES verified)
Major/minor: Economics (major), Business Management (minor)
GRE(including date taken): Taken August - V: 161, Q: 164, W: 4.5

Experience/research:
6 years as a public health program officer in Asia
2 years as a management trainee in a pharmaceutical company
12 times co-presenter in health conferences including APHA, AMER, and ICN
Leadership positions in college

Letters of Rec:
1. CEO of nonprofit
2. VP of nonprofit
3. Former direct manager in pharma

Interests:
Health behavior
Chronic diseases prevention
Global Health

Applied:
Harvard, JHU, Yale, Columbia (SOPHAS Verified 11/6)
UNC, Emory, GWU (SOPHAS verified 11/16)
(All for MPH and accelerated MPH)

Accepted:
JHU (12/3)
GWU Global Health (12/15)
Yale Advanced Professional SBS (1/7, 30k 1/13)
UNC Health Behavior (1/13)
Columbia Accelerated SMS (1/20)
Emory Accelerated Global Health (1/20)

Rejected:
Harvard (3/9)

 

[cookiegrub]

Are you all applying for fall 2021 admission? I thought deadlines for some of these programs were like early december or Jan, so how are you all getting interviews already?

 

[lil.beanieee]

hey guys! so I applied to Columbia mph last week and literally just realized I missed some of their supplemental questions bc I didn't hit the "expand" option. I was still able to edit and submit answers so I just did and updated my SOPHAS application. will Columbia be able to see these new changes on my app? or will they just review the version they received last week? I'm not sure if application updates apply to schools that I've already submitted. idk how I missed those questions

 

[MPHSeekerrr]

Are you all applying for fall 2021 admission? I thought deadlines for some of these programs were like early december or Jan, so how are you all getting interviews already?

A lot of programs are rolling. Most of those review and decide as they come in and then send big batches after deadlines.

 

[jm20bk06]

hey guys! so I applied to Columbia mph last week and literally just realized I missed some of their supplemental questions bc I didn't hit the "expand" option. I was still able to edit and submit answers so I just did and updated my SOPHAS application. will Columbia be able to see these new changes on my app? or will they just review the version they received last week? I'm not sure if application updates apply to schools that I've already submitted. idk how I missed those questions

same thing happened with me! but I did manage to answer them within an hour of having submitted. On SOPHAS, in the "check status" section, you can view the status of your application and download a pdf copy all of my answers are there. I did apply mid-November and then it took about a week for Columbia to upload all my materials to their portal so I'm hoping they have this version with all the questions!

I don't understand why the supplemental questions section has to fold up like it does when it already has a dedicated tab on SOPHAS