Immy

Brown will be creating a school of public health starting on July 1st, 2013, though it will take them two years to become accredited. Any idea how this will impact their program - admit more students, give more funding, be more selective in admission?

When I apply to grad school, will classes taken after I've graduated be able to count towards my GPA. I'm taking an undergraduate math class this semester as a non-degree student? Thank you!

I know the feeling. While I'm not quite 30, I'll be 26 in March. I too received my B.A. in psychology (also minored in biology and writing), and struggled to find a job the year after college. I then became a mental health case manager, which I did for 2 years, and completely sucked the desire to go to grad school for psychology right out of me. I wanted more research experience, so I am now a research assistant at a large research center. There is not a job market for those with a B.A. in psychology, and the jobs you can find for it are low paying. I plan on going to grad school for public health. I've taken a grad class in it and did well. I love heath, but as I've realized NOT mental health. If you do want to go to grad school, you need to figure out what you would want a degree in first.

I work at a research center, that's under a hospital, and connected to a major university. I have a B.A. I ran my own research study in college, which I think helped. Most job listings that I have seen for a research assistant are for B.A. The ones I've see for MS or Ph.D. are for Research Associate. Try checking the job postings for the hospitals near you, and the universities/colleges.

This was my other username, I guess I had two? Anyway... To answer some questions. Yes, I have had an introduction to Epi. I took a graduate course titled "Epidemiology and Biostatistics" which I received an A in the spring 2010. I went into psychology because I was fascinated by the diseases, which I realized is not really at the heart of a degree in psychology, which is why I minored in Bio Workwise, things have gotten better. I will be named on two papers which is a plus, and will hopefully bump-up my CV. I am also doing more work-wise, in terms of the studies I work on. I was also told by one of the researchers I work with, that I can use the data from our previous year of the research study I work on to work on my own paper or poster, which i will do this year. I basically would like to move straight into a Ph.D programs for several reasons. I ultimately want a Ph.D, since I feel that it will get me further career wise. And also, most Ph.D programs are funded better than MS or MPH. In terms of programs I am looking into, I live in RI and would like to stay local if possible. Two options are Brown and BU. The research center I work with is connected to Brown, and two researchers I work for are assistant professors there. So I'm hoping a recommendation from one of them will help my chances. Next week I start taking a math class. I am hoping that the addition of some more advanced math classes will also help me. In epi or a biostatistics program which I am also considering, though it would mean pushing back applying another year (2014) because of needing to take some more advanced math classes that are required. Ultimately I think it will come down to how I do in this years worth of math classes, and also how well I can cope with mentally pushing applying back to 2014, which is hard since I really want to go get started. I love diseases and know I will do fine in an epi program. I just worry about getting a degree in it, and not being able to find a job. I am considering biostatistics because the job market seems better, and it is still connected to public health. *edited to add last part*

Thank you everyone for your replies. Someone asked "why not epi?" Basically because I worry that the job market isn't as plentiful. Thinking about it lately, and I may reconsider Epi, among my many options.

Why do you suggest that?

I'll try to make a long story somewhat short. Me: Graduated in 2009. Major Psychology, minors in biology and writing. GPA 3.2 - low I know. I did conduct my own research study with the advisement of the head of the psych dept. Was one of two psych students in my graduating class to receive honors. Also received college honors. I took a graduate course for fun the spring after I graduated (Epidemiology and Biostatistics and received an A) I love epidemiology, but fear not being able to find a job. Biostatistics appears to have a good number of job postings, and it also interests me. It terms of work experience: Worked for two years as a case manager for a mental health agency after I graduated. Now working at a hospital research center, where I work on multiple research studies involving weight loss. I will be going back this spring semester to take the required math classes I need - Calc I, II, III, linear algebra to meet requirements as most schools. I plan on applying the fall of 2014. It seems like there isn't a lot of difference in some school between applying for a masters or for a Ph.D, same classes required in some. While I will be absolutely applying for masters programs, would applying for PhD be reasonable with my background? I ultimately hope to work for a large company ( clinical trials, pharmaceuticals, or large scale research) Any and all feedback is appreciated, thank you!