ASA15

Thanks for the info! Yes I was thinking it was weird and likely meant a waitlist or something of the sort. WIll reach out!

Looks like there are some acceptances in the Results section, but has anyone here been accepted to the Michigan PHD Epi program? I interviewed and since then have heard nothing... the interview was in January, and it's past mid-March now so just wondering when we were supposed to hear back (I did see some rejections from last week?)

Also interested in this... Not even sure who to reach out to or if I should just wait? But also wondering if showing my interest would be in any way beneficial...

I've been accepted to a few programs (one with funding) and am waiting on one more, but also seriously thinking of delaying a year or two and applying again. TBH I think I had a strong application except that I don't have much direct experience in the area I want to work in (infectious disease epi/global health). I've started looking at research jobs in global infectious disease. Hoping that getting this experience (especially at a research university I'm interested in getting my PhD from?) will help me have a better application season in a year or two . Luckily there's no time frame for an ideal time to get a PhD, and work experience only helps IMO. FYI I have 1 year international NON public health experience post-college, MSPH from top 10 program, 3 years public health/data analysis experience post-masters (great experience, but not in my content area of interest which I think hurt me).

Same- just waiting for that rejection, especially since I didn't interview/haven't heard anything from them. Unlikely that I would attend anyway. Also, rejection from Columbia. Not surprised- not a great fit, the interview I had went so-so, and funding was concerning. But good luck to everyone accepted!!

One potential consideration- if you’re interested in potentially going on to a PhD, UW makes it very easy (simplified application process, 95% acceptance rate, shorter time length).

Just got rejection from Berkeley. Disappointing but not too surprising at this point. Still waiting on Michigan, Columbia, UNC, and Minnesota... Wish they'd just tell us already!

Thank you!! The above especially is very helpful.. truthfully I was having some trouble finding expected graduation times etc on the website, aside from that you are expected to graduate within 7 years, and that was making me a bit nervous. Definitely hopeful to get out of wherever I go in 4 or so!!

How did you like Tulane? I got into the Phd tropical medicine program with funding but don't know much about it/haven't gotten the chance to visit. A little nervous about NOLA for 4-5 years...

LOL at the mardi gras excuse

I reached out twice- the first time (end of Jan) was told they were looking for advisor fit and it could take some time. Then last week I reached out again and was told they had identified an advisor who wanted to work with me and were finalizing funding, and I should hopefully hear back with an offer in the next few weeks. Nope...

Just got response from Yale and I have been waitlisted- was expecting a rejection since I wasn’t invited to interview, and not holding my breath. But still nicer than a straight out no I guess!

https://smartasset.com/taxes/michigan-paycheck-calculator#xDd7Hl3ts4 Try the attached website!

Definitely something I am considering as well! Honestly I think this decision will largely depend on the START fellowship, as that seems like a wonderful opportunity and also from people I've spoken to seems like it's basically 2 years unless you don't do well. Following that, my goal would be to get grant funding for my dissertation research. I think one strength for UW is that since internal funding is so competitive, there is much stronger institutional support for students to obtain outside funding, and this I believe is a very important skillset/CV element for careers afterwards. Michigan, which offers full institutional funding which is AWESOME, spoke a lot about how they are trying to build up their grant writing support as students seem to be complaining that it is lacking. However I agree... without START/a guarantee of at least a year and likely 2, I will be very hesitant to accept.

I’m sorry! But I’m sure you’ll end up somewhere awesome :) also interviewed and haven’t heard anything so expecting it’s a no...

Hi! Thanks for doing this! Is there anything you didn't consider when looking at programs that you wish you had? Any questions you wish you'd asked current students/PI/faculty?

That's awesome! I have not received any word on UW funding aside from getting an interview for the START RA position, which would be awesome! That's what worries me most about UW- having to scramble for funding quarter to quarter... although one professor I spoke to did say students get very good at writing grants because of this!

Has anyone heard from Berkeley?

FYI UGA is in Athens, about an hour away from Atlanta- the feel is very similar to Ann Arbor in terms of it being a college town.

I applied to MPH programs one year out from college, where I majored in biology. While applying, I was abroad teaching science in the South Pacific. I did not have experience in public health... I did have a science background, but honestly not even sure if that was necessary. IMO, prior work experience matters especially because it shows your interest and commitment to public health. If you can make your story make sense and convince the school you're interested in public health, I think you'll be fine! I think it's a great strength to take some quantitative classes to show you can do that, but as long as you do well on the quant GRE I think you'll be fine.

Speaking of BU... I have seen people mention that they have 4 spots and had 250 applicants. Does anyone who spoke to BU know how many they invite to interview? ALSO- emailed Berkeley and Columbia. Admin at Berkeley let me know their final meeting is next week, so hopefully will be hearing soon. Admin at Columbia said hopefully by the end of the month!

Has anyone heard anything from Columbia or Berkeley (specifically Epi)? According to the results page, Columbia started sending out interviews around this time last year...

FYI- got a rejection from Harvard (epi- infectious disease). Not surprised as I was not contacted for an interview, but nice to know officially! Good luck to everyone accepted!

Same here!

I don’t think a (US) program can make you accept prior to April 15. However, those that also offer funding would prefer to know sooner rather than later since if you turn them down I assume they offer the spot/funding to someone else. UW funding isn’t guaranteed and I’m guessing few people have funding offers yet, so I think their schedule is a bit different (also got the email encouraging giving it time before choosing a program). I believe my friend who applied a few years ago did have a few funding offers that had expiration dates prior to April 15, but she was able to contact the school and extend if necessary.