bluegrad

Both schools are good, but if you have the chance to go to Hopkins, I would do it. Money should not be deciding factor if you can avoid it. Also, Baltimore is still very close to DC. Many folks even commute from DC suburbs to JHU. GW may be less tuition, but your cost of living will also be higher. Go Hopkins...

Nope -- Main school of public health is in Houston. I like Austin a lot, but the school of public health is part of the Houston medical center, alongside Baylor, Rice, MD Anderson etc. It surprised me at first too. There are satellite programs in Austin, San Antonio, Brownsville and Dallas.

Like many on these boards, I've had an agonizing year of applying to grad programs. For whatever reason, I decided to apply initially to only two grad schools for a ph.d. in public health, and they happen to be the top two. I was rejected by both. In a final Hail Mary pass, I also applied to University of Texas, because of their late deadline. Yesterday, I found out I was accepted. So a couple things...I didn't apply to UT earlier mainly because I didn't know much about them or Texas. Turns out, they are ranked 12th, but seem to be on the rise, attached to some pretty impressive research centers. Cost of living in Houston seems to be pretty good, and I'm liking other things I'm finding out as well (shopping, weather, schools for kids, job market for husband). Downsides, I got some feedback that makes me think I have a reasonable shot at getting into my top picks if I reapply for next year. Question is if I want to go through all this again to find out. What to do? 1) Go for it -- get started on a multi-year degree now at a school with a good reputation that seems to be on the rise. 2) Wait it out one more year -- See if I can't persuade the hold outs that I would be a great addition to their cohort. I have to say there is something appealing about being at a school that wants you the first time... Oh, option 3 might also be to apply to some of the schools between rankings 2 and 12 to see what other options I might actually have! Thoughts??

Don't do it just because you got in. But, if it does truly offer what you want and you can afford without funding, why not go for it? You may have funding opportunities down the line.

Hi folks -- I would love to hear from other folks applying to these programs. From what I can tell, Harvard has not yet released its decisions but other phds who were accepted received phone calls. UNC appears to use postal service for everything. I have seen a handful of acceptances on the board, but am compulsively checking my mailbox as they said most decisions will come before March 15. From folks accepted at UNC HBHE PhD, what is your experience like? Are you currently working with any faculty? When did you apply?

That is helpful and you raise a point I was wondering about myself. I have quite a bit of professional experience -- about 12 years (really old) at national organizations, plus pubs, dozens of presentations etc. I had contacted a couple profs whose work I was following who seemed very interested. I thought it would be a good thing (like I have figured out that research is what I want to do) but I am wondering now if you can have too much professional experience? In fairness, my GREs were only so-so, but grades, experience, recs were all solid. Thanks for sharing your info. It takes away some of the stress of this whole process talking to others who have been through it too!

Congratulations to both of you. Can you say more about your experience etc? Do you have existing relationships with the faculty there? I am thinking about reapplying for next year and would love to know what I can do to find the fit.

Just wondering...I only saw one person on the boards that was accepted. I would love to hear the details on folks who made the cut.