jonathanb715

That sounds really tough. I am in UC Berkeley's online/oncampus part time program, 6 credits a semester, and am finding the workload doable but difficult with a full time job. Doesn't USC also have a very well-regarded part time MPH? My experience with the Berkely equivalent has been really positive, so maybe USC would let you matriculate into their online program instead? JB

Don't know if this will help because I have a break of more than 20 years between my MBA and the MPH I'm pursuing. As far as I'm concerned there are 2 good reasons for doing something like this - you are genuinely interested in the subject matter for both degrees and/or you've identified a real opportunity for which having both degrees will give you a leg up. So far in my experience, the combination just has people in my organization confused. When it comes time to talk about career and next steps they kind of scratch their heads because my combination of experience and education doesn't fit neatly with the org charts and job descriptions. I'm pretty sure that if I make the right connections, there are leaders who will value the combination. But if you are thinking of doing both degrees without having already identified the opportunity, well, you could be disappointed. I'm still happy to be pursuing my MPH (I'm in a part-time program, so still working full time) for the knowledge. Just be sure that if you do go down this path, that you do it with your eyes open. JB

There are several good online programs out there. I'm in UC Berkeley's, and I come from an accounting/finance background in another industry. The workload is comparable to that of the part time MBA I did at NYU back in the early 90's - tough, but not overwhelming. UC Berkeley does have an on-campus requirement - about 1 week a year in the Summer, and it takes 2 years plus one semester to finish. No practicum requirement for this program. There are people from all the world in the program. http://onlinemph.berkeley.edu/

Arion327, definitely let them know your situation has changed. Did you file a FAFSA? At my school, that is needed for anything related to financial aid - loans, fellowships, work/study, etc. I'd assume that is the same for any US school. There is also a set appeals process for when situations change. Although I will continue to work full time, I was offered loans to cover the full amount of tuition plus an estimate for books. The interest rate seems a bit high to me, but it's nice to have the flexibility. JB

Congrats!

I live down in the SF Bay area, East Bay. I work in Oakland, so the campus is really convenient. I found out in early June that I'm admitted so now it's working out the details. Like teaching my teenagers to cook for themselves (early practice for college....). Good luck with your degree! JB JB

I just got accepted to the oncampus/online program at Berkeley, and will be attending in the fall. I actually live in the area, but can not afford to give up my full time job (I'm a single parent) so this degree program should be ideal for me. Looking forward to meeting everyone and getting back into taking classes! JB

Stats? that should be interesting. I'm on the older side, and had a rough start to college, eventually leaving my first school with a remarkably bad GPA after 2 years. I did bounce back and graduated from a state school with highest honors. Overall my GPA was about a 3.2 (over 160+ credit hours - I took my time and changed majors as well as colleges several times). I also have an MBA from a top 10 school, and had a 3.6 in that. But I haven't been inside a classroom in over 20 years. My GRE's are a little more current : 167 verbal, 161 quant, 5.0 on the written. Overall if anything made me a strong candidate, it's my experience. I've lived all over, including in Quito, Warsaw and Tel Aviv, and have been involved in projects in dozens more countries. My kids were born overseas, and I have seen firsthand the medical facilities available to different classes of people in some of these countries. I think I was able to put together a pretty strong application out of that. Plus I had 3 really good LORs - 2 Ivy League professors (one who taught me during my MBA, and another who was my boss for several years but then returned to academia) and my current boss. And some experience supporting medical researchers. I honestly think that for a professional degree like an MPH, GRE's and undergrad GPAs are probably a gatekeeper - having low scores on either might keep you out. But what gets you in is probably your experience, your referrals and how well you are able to communicate how all that relates to what the program has to offer. Good luck! JB

That was me - I found out by accident when I clicked on the wrong bookmarked page in my browser and re-opened my application page. My status had been changed from "Submitted" to "Admitted". I called the school to see if that was official, and after some back and forth they sent me an official email and admittance letter. I guess they updated the website, but hadn't gotten around to the emails yet. They did say that everyone will be informed by June 15, and my letter requests that i accept or decline the offer by July 1. Good luck! JB

I'm definitely in this category - 51, divorced father of 2 teens (the oldest lives with me full time, the youngest splits time between me and the ex.). With the prospect of paying for college in a couple of years, I'm in no position to leave my job so I've applied to the online/on-campus MPH program at UC Berkeley. Should hear by mid to late June - it will be interesting to see if they offer any financial aid beside loans. I'm also taking a look at some other online programs in case UC Berkeley doesn't pan out (I'm pretty impressed by how many well regarded schools offer an online program for public health). JB