EpiNYC

The intensity at which we are stalking dates and seeking patterns to understand the chaotic admissions process truly represents the nerds we are. Good luck everyone! 

I emailed with the Epi contact at Harvard, asking another question. She did mention decisions are to be going out the third week of February. 

I emailed with the Epi contact at Harvard, asking another question. She did mention decisions are to be going out the third week of February. 

I emailed with the Epi contact at Harvard, asking another question. She did mention decisions are to be going out the third week of February. 

ok, here's to nervously waiting next week. 

Dare I admit, this has severely impacted my ability to work during the work week ?

Dare I admit, this has severely impacted my ability to work during the work week ?

Dare I admit, this has severely impacted my ability to work during the work week ?

Dare I admit, this has severely impacted my ability to work during the work week ?

Exactly! My one friend (different field of academia) applied to PhD programs three times! She was beyond qualified, but finally the last round she got accepted into an Ivy program with full funding and even managed to win a very prestigious fellowship all at the same time. So I think it just goes back to continue to pursue your dreams and not letting rejections hinder your drive to pursue them.
Not yet, she is actually getting back to me. But I took the initiative to enroll in one of those online programs that teaches you Python and you sort of end up with a list of projects at the end. So EDx or Udacity are good examples. Also Codecademy has a good Python class I'm currently taking. I'll let you know!

Luckily I'm quite skilled in STATA already from my MPH, but I would say STATA is the easiest among the programs you mentioned. I think EDx may have some course on STATA. If not, you could certainly self teach and use some public dataset. 

Well my general way of approaching 'failure' in life is to just keep trying, especially when it's something that I'm passionate about. Sure it sucks not getting into any programs this year around, but it's not the end all be all. 

As for the general tips, it was more specific to my little niche of interest: epidemic modelling. The person I talked to is a prominent modeler in the field, and actually made a great point that most of the schools I applied to don't have any true modelers in their program. Secondly, she mentioned that I should take up computer programming/coding for a year, because modelling involves a lot of coding. She said that would make the world of a difference because it saves prospective PIs/advisers from having to take time away (sometimes almost an entire year) in teaching one how to code/program in R or Python or related programs/consoles. 

All in all, it just made me realize I should have really found someone who does what I want to do in the future and sort of have them lay out the different skill sets I need to aqcuire or highlight. This is especially true when other pieces of my application were already strong (I have a dozen publications, strong LORS, competitive GRE scores). 

Well my general way of approaching 'failure' in life is to just keep trying, especially when it's something that I'm passionate about. Sure it sucks not getting into any programs this year around, but it's not the end all be all. 

As for the general tips, it was more specific to my little niche of interest: epidemic modelling. The person I talked to is a prominent modeler in the field, and actually made a great point that most of the schools I applied to don't have any true modelers in their program. Secondly, she mentioned that I should take up computer programming/coding for a year, because modelling involves a lot of coding. She said that would make the world of a difference because it saves prospective PIs/advisers from having to take time away (sometimes almost an entire year) in teaching one how to code/program in R or Python or related programs/consoles. 

All in all, it just made me realize I should have really found someone who does what I want to do in the future and sort of have them lay out the different skill sets I need to aqcuire or highlight. This is especially true when other pieces of my application were already strong (I have a dozen publications, strong LORS, competitive GRE scores). 

Oh, my bad, 100% rejected! lol 
I was expecting it, but I'm not too bummed, I had a great informational interview with someone in my interested field of research who really gave me the direction that I didn't have during this round of applications.  

I would say definitely make the switch! When I applied to NYU CGPH, I originally applied to the same track you mentioned, but they then offered to switch me into Global Health (as they were reviewing my application). When in the track I had almost made the switch into Epi, but realized I could take all the classes the Epi students were taking and still pursue the GH track. The reason I stayed in the track is because we have what is called a capstone, which is a year-long project completed in student-led teams...you basically get to act as public health consultants, it's super cool and amazing experience, and I'm in the midst of it all as we speak! 

I believe the reason why NYU's program is not ranked is because the program is quite new, and so I assume it will be a few more years before its get ranked. Some pros for the future is that they will finally have their own building coming this Fall (I believe), and they may even add a few more concentrations. Like I said, it's very new, and they are cognizant to feedback from students as well as the 'market' and molding the program organically. 

Can they quantify, maybe give us the odds of us hearing in the next two days... 

I just got rejected from NYU! 

A little surprised, but not surprised given I never got an interview invite from them, surprised because I'm a student in the MPH program at NYU and my LOR included the doctoral mentor I proposed to work with in their program... oh well!

Well I currently am attending the MPH program at NYU (just entered my last semester before graduation) and I would say overall it is a fairly new program which has its pros and cons. Ultimately, it is what you make of it like most programs (I am fairly happy with it).

May I ask what it is specifically you are interested in as that would let met gauge what I should perhaps tell you?

Hey xyzpsych, congrats on the interview! 
The living cost is really where you decide to live in New York (albeit, Manhattan or outside of Manhattan). I currently work full-time as well, and therefore I can afford to live near campus, but that means my rent is approx $1,800 a month. Knowing the amount of money that these programs do provide, you are better off living somewhere in Brooklyn, where COS equates to rent of $900 a month plus another $100/week for food, if you are really smart in where you shop (like Trader Joes). As for books and whatnot, most of the classes were based on reading journal articles, with very few classes requiring textbooks (only one I can think of was a doctoral-level Epi class). 

Let me know if I was helpful or if you have anymore questions?

I know that it's fully funded for five years and that they have about 4-5 spots for PhD candidates each year. Which is all to say that if your mentor doesn't have funding, you don't have to worry since your tuition and stipend will be paid through the program. I do know it's stronger on the social sciences aspect rather than 'hard score sciences' especially when it comes to wanting to pursue something like epi. That being said, you have a network of some amazing faculty and those faculty in turn are also connected with equally amazing faculty elsewhere, which is great for networking! 

Ditto!! One of the programs I applied to I'm currently in....and I pass by the admissions peeps every few days...I just wanna burst into their office and shout "tell me now!" 

Well I currently am attending the MPH program at NYU (just entered my last semester before graduation) and I would say overall it is a fairly new program which has its pros and cons. Ultimately, it is what you make of it like most programs (I am fairly happy with it).

May I ask what it is specifically you are interested in as that would let met gauge what I should perhaps tell you?