katalytik

A little humanity helps everyone, including you. I know its an anonymous board, but this sort of behavior in your life and career will only get in the way of things you want to do. Academic career is not the only thing that's important, but do as you wish. No one can stop you....... I do agree with your points made, but the majority of people here are not looking to get into the highest school possible. I am not sure I stand any chances, but there is no reason to stomp on already-concerned people.

Farm: thanks for the feedback..........I'll look forward to hearing from them. Its a solid program, and they are doing work in information technology also. Ridgey: you are right, but i keep seeing the results on the results page and get a little tense. that's probably it...

Did you apply for MPH or a PHD/DRPH or something like that? Would you mind telling me where you got in so far? Am curious about which schools have already let the cat out of the bag...

You know, I did not have formal interviews........none of my programs interview before a decision is reached. however, I have met informally with some professors at a couple of schools and i sent over an email thanking them for their time. i think it is just good courtesy, even though there is no expectation. that's just my opinion....

what did you think about the HSOP department over at Mich? All of these three programs are hard to get into so I am just hoping for one. How was the training in general in the SPH there? Any feedback would be welcome....

Wooooo! Nice to hear from someone. I'm doing more policy and management work, but its cool you are also around..........now there is someone I can hold a virtual hand with as we go through this horribly nerve racking process!

Which program did you get into? I applied to the health management and policy division? Any interviews? I have not heard yet! Any help would be great.

I am wondering if there are people in the public health or health policy people on this site. It seems there are not many, but it would be nice to hear from you! I'm a little stressed now because other programs are at a high in terms of decisions, and my earliest deadline was Dec 1 -- followed by Dec 15, and Jan 15. Have people heard back? I did not apply through SOPHAS and went through the graduate school because all PhD programs tend to be administered by the Grad school. Anyone around?

Agreed. I think the reality is as you said. Fighting the system is not the way to go.........I think taking advantage of the system is the way to go. The GRE is something people can study for. Yes not everyone scores high, but you would be surprised at how much a person can improve from studying. I think the committees need a way to equalize all students coming from schools all over the place. If a person was on an admission committee, how would you compare an international student with a US student from some unknown school? Its near impossible if both get good recommendations, have done well at their school, and have written solid essays etc. I'm not saying the GRE is the only thing they use, but at least they can reliably try to compare scores. If its minor (20-50 points for example) is not a real difference. But what if its over 100-150 points different? Its not something some people will agree with, but when you have a few openings with a ton of applicants, there has to be some way to start telling them apart. GRE is only one mechanism they use.

Its kinda different for me.......none of my programs interview applicants to make final decisions.

He is far from being a jackass. I think these points are well made, and one cannot just ignore such points. We can argue against them, if we like........but to completely toss them out because of the tone is not logical.

I don't think it is simply about getting in. We need to think about job prospects unless people expect to live on nothing. There are, for example, many who are struggling in the humanities to find jobs. Its just the way the market works. Med school depends on a minimum number to cross along with a few other things. Brand name matters a lot in law. Yes, I agree Phd admissions may not be as much as a numbers game (although I think top schools will use numbers), but that does not mean you will find a job after grad school. Brand name matters, as does the researcher, as does the contacts you build at the school you go to. A lot of the jobs are done through personal contacts, not through recruiters or job boards.

I am sort of in public health -- mainly health management and policy. At some places this is a part of the SPH.

I agree with this. I am not sure people are so turned off from prospective student contact. There is nothing wrong to talk with them if you can get their attention. If they don't reply, then at least you tried. I also have connections in my field so it helps to go through a known network, but direct contact should also be an option. I am not as hesitant as some people on this thread. When one is so timid about such things, we can lose out on important information. Getting in touch needs to be done properly, but I see nothing wrong with contact -- even if out of the blue. We have self-selected at the graduate level so I don't think there is going to be some huge number of contacts even if the grad student is going to hear from someone.

The dirt on the program and pitfalls are what I really would want to know about. No one better than people experienceing it first hand to tell me......

My phone makes a funny sound when an email has hit my gmail..........always anticipating and not seeing what i want to see!

Ah, I see. Yes, agreed.

My one contact was from a trusted person for the grad student. I did not ask the program coordinator, but she offered to give me the contact information for this one grad student who is also in the same general category. To avoid the "over the transom" or "creepy" feeling, you can always ask the coordinator (if you can get them before the application season gets into full swing) about any students who would be willing to answer questions about the program and their experience so far. I applied to two other programs and I did not pursue it at those two because: 1. At one, I am collaborating on research already with a prof. in my target dept. 2. At the other, I spoke directly with the head of the graduate studies so I assumed I can't do any better. he was positive so I stopped. BUT, I think current students would give out some interesting information which no one else would want to talk about......... or how to make the application successful. I guess this is all 20/20 hindsight..

I would have to agree that it is likely not a good sign. That date is only a couple of weeks away, and they would need to expect applicants to have time to set up for the recruitment weekend. I am sorry to say that, but I hope the other ones work out for you! Maybe I am wrong....

I contacted one of the grad students at one of the schools I applied to before I started the process. She was very helpful and I think it made my application stronger; in fact, she even provided feedback about my essay. I think I should have done that at the other schools, but never did.... oh well. Anyone else regrets not doing this or even regrets doing this?

I disagree here. The funding for those programs are limited. I have directly spoken to my programs about the funding, and they immediately asked if I am an international student. Most of the funding for their graduate programs comes from federal training grants for their PhD students, not from other grants. Unless the PI is willing to bring on people for his own grant, which often they are not willing to do. So I think you have this backwards. Most funding is federal training grants, and not PI-specific grants. Had it been the other way around, I can see your point.

An update, it seems UMich in general is screwing up this process of informing applicants. Supposedly the University does not enough staff to update the site, so we have to get in touch with our specific programs to find out if everything is complete. Thankfully, mine is complete and being reviewed by committee now.

I work already and in my 30s also so grad school will be a major drop in terms of income. I hope to get in because I really love the field and it is new.......lots of work to be done in research and policy. I will definitely be disappointed a lot if I don't get into a single place, but I guess I can still try to do research without the PhD and also work at the same time. Do-able I guess, but I think the PhD would give me the training that I need to be that much better at research. Also, the contacts at the universities would be immense.

the higher the better, but i would try to break 1300

Oh, I am nowhere the bullet-proof person that many claim (and may actually) be in this forum. I am biting nails.........being woken up by bad dreams, and can't sleep because the first notifications are coming out in a couple of weeks. I hate this waiting, but sometimes it feels better than some sad ding letter that will come by some impersonal manner. Its not the money so much as the disappointment that "I am not good enough", even though I could keep up with the same admitted crowd. Anyway, that's my rant..........touche!