pulpoperdida

thanks! I knew that was the case for 1, I just really really really didn't want it to be the case =(.

Hi, so here are my initial reactions. Obviously this is all highly subjective, so feel totally free to ignore all of this if you prefer! In general, I think you've got a nicely written good start, but I would suggest really focus on building out your argument for why you are a good fit for the program. One very helpful technique which I would recommend to you is reverse outlining, are you familiar with it? I think its really useful, especially for things like admissions essays, where everything has to be super tight and focus. Basically, the idea is to go back through each paragraph, and then write down in a few words or a sentence what point you are trying to make at each section. Then you can go back into the essay and make sure all of those points are super clear and eliminate anything that is extraneous to those points. So, approaching it from this perspective, (ie, trying to to see what points you are trying to make at each section), my initial thought is that I would bring the final two paragraphs up to beginning of the essay. These paragraphs are about your interests and what you plan to do in the program, so they seem to me to be the meat of your argument about why they should accept you. I would really work on highlighting and expanding this, because that's really what makes you special and a good fit for the program. Frankly, almost everyone can tell a story about a teacher who inspired them in high school, but not everyone can articulate why their interests would line up with this program and what they plan to do with it in the future. However, that is just my initial opinion. You need to focus on building the argument that's right for you. However you choose to do it, I would recommend that you sit down and think about the argument that you are trying to make, and then edit accordingly=) Hope this is helpful to you, its certainly been more fun than working on my own essay!

Hi Guys, Fighting with several transcript issues, and thought I'd check here to see if anyone had any answers as I wait to hear from the SOPHAS reps=) 1. I'm currently taking an online econ class for credit at Johns Hopkins, mostly because I'm applying to the joint IR/MPH at Columbia and I wanted to bolster my econ background. However, mostly cause I've ended up with very little time to devote to the class, I'm not doing super well (C+/B- average). Do I really have to include this along with my undergrad transcript??? (I think the answer is yes...but I'm hoping for a lifeline here) 2. Study abroad. I'm feeling really dumb, but the FAQ section on this is really confusing to me. I did an SIT program, and I think what its saying is that I just list it as a semester based in Vermont (which is where the SIT headquarters are) and then get a separate transcript from them However, the SIT courses from that semester show up on my main undergraduate transcript, but without grades attached. Do I need to also then enter them as course work there? 3. Gym classes, similar question here. My undergraduate had a really weird way of noting gym classes, so basically they are on my transcript but in a way that doesn't quite fit into any of the SOPHAS designations. Do I have to go through the process of converting alll of that to something SOPHAS understands? I mean, I'm sure nobody cares what gym I took, so I don't reallly want to spend a ton of time on this, but I don't want to make a mistake either.. 4. Senior year, I got special permission to take one poli-sci class at the 300 level instead of the 200 level (much longer research paper at the end of the class).There is literally not enough room to put this in the course title, so I'm not sure how to capture this in SOPHAS. (Ie. the course shows up on my transcript as POLT-243 POLITICS OF LATAM (Taken at the 300 level),) Feel free to respond with answers and/or transcript questions of your own=)

I actually did a year as a RA at a health policy institute associated with a major university (although sadly one without a serious MPH program.) I can definitely say that there is a lot of activity these days in the domestic health policy research field. However, while a good percentage of people had their MPH, lots of people had different degrees and different backgrounds, so it definitely wasn't a requirement for the position. That being said, the ability to do quantitative data analysis is definitely a hot skill If you are interested in policy jobs. So, basically, I wouldn't worry a TON about picking a specific program, but I would just make sure I was getting a diverse range of data analysis skills (both quant and qualitative), so that you can feel like you can interpret large amounts of data and then write about it clearly. In terms of actually getting a job, I would suggest trolling around sites like Kaiser Family Foundation, Academy Health, State Health Policy, the CommonWealth Fund. Those orgs are often the center of various research projects (either because they gave the grants or because they are doing the research themselves). Hope this is helpful. If you are looking outside of the policy area, then I can't really say much!

thanks for the responses...I guess I'm trying to figure out whether the quality of the program would cripple my chances in the long run of getting good jobs

thanks!

Who is applying? I probably am applying for global health since I have a chance at a full ride for various reasons, but it doesn't look like that great of a program. Does anyone think or know differently?

Anyone else applying? Know anyone else who has done it? Have any opinions about it?....Bueller? Also, on a more specific note, when I tried to make this a designation in SOPHAS, there was no option for this dual. I tentatively chose the Columbia MPH/MPA designation, since it will also be going to SIPA, but thats not really correct. Not totally sure if I should be worrying about this.

Heheh thanks for the reassurance. I've been freaking out about the entire process and yesterday was basically the peak of my freak out! I had someone I trust tell me last night that i was being ridiculous, which was what I needed to hear than. Its also good to hear this from you guys=)

Yikes I'm feeling very behind, I'm still in the middle of my process and hoping to get everything in by the end of November. Should I have started this earlier? I am applying to the Columbia IR/MPH dual program, which is my far and away top choice. Also applying to MPH programs at Emory, NYU, Tulane, and USC. Anyone else applying to a dual program at Columbia? I have lots of questions and i am having trouble getting answers! Also, what are people's thoughts on the NYU MPH? I feel like what I've seen has left me fairly unimpressed, but because my dad works for NYU I would be able to go for free and that's...hard to pass up!