sharonnyc

I had a phone interview too and was told basically the same thing... Though I don't know if all tracks are interviewing or just some.

Hey FreeRadical, welcome to the epi PhD waiting game... It is definitely not fun!

Yeah, it is pretty upsetting that there are programs that expect people to take out massive amounts of loans for their PhDs in public health. I am really not in a position to take out more loans (I still owe LOTS of money from my MD, though I got my MPH for free through a fellowship), so I won't go anywhere (even if that means not going anywhere at all) if I don't have a way to at least not take out loans. I fortunately can make enough to live off of by working occasional shifts during the semester and full time on vacations as a doctor, so I've decided if I at least get full tuition/fees/health insurance that I will go... but I will be essentially forgoing hundreds of thousands of dollars in income to get my PhD (because I won't be working as a doctor for the 4-5 years of studies, and then after getting my PhD I will make less than I would as an MD if I stay in academics) so adding to the debt is just a no-go. I am not all about money (and have no children to support) and I've decided I'm OK with that. However... it seems a PhD in epidemiology may be for the privileged few who are in a similar position to me, or who are able to get fellowships/grants. I am actually surprised at how bad the funding situation is, I didn't realize so many schools would expect students to borrow such significant amounts of money.

Congrats Michael! I received an email a few days ago telling me the name of my advisor and also with a link to the page for different applications for financial aid (TA positions, etc). It doesn't look pretty, especially for those who are out of state Even the TA/RA positions do not come with full tuition funded and the stipend is not enough to live on. I will send you the link in PM...

I have only received emails; I am also living abroad (albeit in a country with a reliable postal service)

Congrats to all with interviews/acceptances! Here's where I'm at so far: UNC (PhD epi): Accepted (no interview) UW (PhD implementation science): Program contacted me late January to set up phone interview JHSPH (PhD epi): Program contacted me late January to set up phone interview Harvard (ScD epi): Not a word I thought I'd be less anxious than this but the waiting is definitely getting to me!

OK I just received an email from UW saying that they have shortlisted a small number of candidates and that I should suggest some times for a skype interview... Hope you got a similar email livenlearn!

Hi, no, I have heard nothing from UW. Don't be pessimistic! They might just be taking longer this year than last year to get things together. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Hi LSM, sorry my posting wasn't so clear! I was accepted to the Epidemiology PhD at UNC; I ranked "other" as my first choice for a track as I'm interested in general epidemiology. I am probably a little different than a typical applicant as I already have an MD and an MPH and several years of experience at an international public health organization.

Hi all, I have been lurking, applied to UNC, Harvard and Johns Hopkins (epi) and UW (implementation science). I heard today from UNC that I was accepted, hope some of you heard from them too!