soc13

I would not stress about this.... at all. Most programs have at least some students who didn't do their undergrad in sociology. That's why most have some sort of introductory theory class. If you have time and want to read your textbook, go for it. At least you will get the names, the basics of some theories, etc. Again, don't stress.

I would add Rutgers. Hirschfield and some other folks are doing a lot of great work there in soc/crim.

At that price point and the desire to be close to/transit accessible to campus, you're really going to want to look into a shared apartment. I know you said "room and board," but I'm hoping you don't expect 1200 to include some sort of meal plan (pretty rare unless you're an undergrad living on campus anyway). I'd look on craigslist and whatever board Maryland has for shared apartments with other graduate students close to campus.

If you're the type of person who worries a lot about safety, don't live in Dorchester, just because other people will scare you with their tales of it, even though they've probably never stepped foot in any of the neighborhoods. Ashmont is gentrifying. It's more than fine. Especially right by the T station. Boston is as other east coast cities are: most of the language and fear-driven hype around certain neighborhoods is racially coded language about Black folks or immigrants. Most victims of violence/crime are the people born and raised in these neighborhoods, not a random person walking down the street.

As someone who took on similar debt for an MPH... DON'T TAKE ON THE DEBT. If you're looking to get a DrPH, just get strong research experience while you're in the program, and realize you'll be a better candidate if you take a couple years between to take on a relevant job. I don't know where you want to do your DrPH, but I highly doubt most schools will ding you for the difference in UC-D v. Tulane if you have highly relevant experience. I believe Davis' program is CEPH accredited, so you're fine. Also, are you sure you want to get a DrPH, or are you thinking you may want to get a PhD? If you're highly practice-oriented, look for a program that provides those opportunities (i.e. the DrPH track). If you're research focused, see if either of those places support student research in a significant way. PS. I went to a lower-ranked MPH program than Tulane and got incredible research experience and now will be going to a top school for my Ph.D. (in sociology, not public health, because forget that with all the unfunded programs out there).

I found that when I was moving to Philly, it was really hard to rent from afar. I ended up just booking a flight and packing in a ton of showings in a day or two. I know that takes financial resources, but I was able to get a MUCH better deal on a great apartment a block from the subway from going in person. I also found that some I thought I would definitely want to live in, ended up being terrible in person. This is especially true if you're a person who is concerned about the neighborhood... you'll want to go in person as Philly can vary block to block. I just used craigslist/padmapper. There are larger buildings that you could lease online, but they're likely to cost you a pretty penny. That said, I loved living there more than anywhere else I've lived (including Boston and DC) and would move back in a heartbeat!

Is there a reason you want to live in the suburbs, @unhappy phd? (i.e. kids or something similar)? If you want to commute, you can. But Philly is fairly affordable to live in the downtown proper areas, at least compared to all the other major cities on the east coast. There are also plenty of very different neighborhoods within the city that would still be a very easy commute to Penn using the sub, if you're looking for something specific in your housing or a different vibe than university city.

Do you have specific questions? A lot certainly has changed, but the cost of living is still absurdly high Where you live is going to depend almost entirely on your budget. Anything relatively close to GW is going to be a 'good' neighborhood. The places folks are scared of living/consider dangerous are outside of 'downtown' and likely not a place you'd be looking. However, if you have specific questions, feel free to ask.

@pinkfuzzybunny ah, I hear you! I am trying to figure this out myself although I haven't signed a lease yet. It's cheaper to live further out, but that's a hefty price (is it $750 a semester?).

You have so many to choose from (amazing!) - is NYU a top choice? Penn and Cornell were two of my top choices, so I'm happy regardless of what happens with Penn, but I'd love to have the closure lol. Will you be at Cornell's visit day?

Hey! I'll be at the Cornell visit day on 3/14.

Waitlisted at Indiana. Throws an interesting variable in the mix. Really only waiting on Penn to send that rejection email so I can make my decision!

Thanks, @rising_star. That was my inclination as well. I worked all throughout my master's in research positions outside the university although I was a FT student without any problem. I was just hoping there wouldn't be any issue with it impacting funding of this type but it doesn't sound like it. Thanks again!

Here's a question for the group, and I may cross-post this in the general forum as well. Anyone have experience working a little bit (not through the university) while receiving full funding/stipend? I know a lot of places state that you should hold no other job, but I was curious as to how firm this really was (and if they check, the only way possible is through taxes, I suppose, if it's non-university). Yes, I know, I won't have time, etc. (please withhold those cautions and arguments, lol) but the company I'm leaving would likely love to keep me on for a few months for a few hours a week as we wrap up one of the larger research projects I work on, as I have the most in-depth knowledge and relationships with our clients.

Go to the MPH program that gives you the most funding. Go into as little debt as possible. Spoken as an MPH... who went into debt (and on behalf of most of my friends from the program as well) [I'm serious. There's very few types of positions that will care whether you went to X school over Y school. You'll find once you graduate and are looking for jobs that they all value experience much more than where your degree is from.] If your plan is to go on to get a Ph.D. in anything other than public health... don't bother getting an MPH at this point unless it's absolutely debt-free (it won't increase your admissions chances; you'll end up getting another master's in passing, etc.). Use the time to gain research experience, raise your GRE scores, refine your writing sample, etc. If you are dead-set on going into an MPH program, focus on the opportunities available to you there - not just the name. Do you have good chances of getting a research assistantship and close mentorship from a professor? Will you gain meaningful experiences that will lead to strong references/networking within the field so that you'll obtain a job quickly? Again, it depends on if you want to go into research or community-based or govt work, but you need to make sure the program has enough built in for you to really make those connections and do the work so you have something tangible to show employers. Just wanted to throw in a perspective from someone who's gone through it already!