melvina

I'm really sorry about this! I'm no expert but these are some things to consider..... 1. Will doing the MHS put you into (more?) debt? 2. What do you hope to achieve by doing the MHS? Do you think it will make a BIG difference in terms of what you want to be doing eventually? Is there another way to get to what you want to be doing eventually (ex. sit this year out, save money and improve your application, and apply again)? If the MHS wouldn't put you into debt, then I think you should definitely consider it. But if it would put you into debt, then be VERY sure that it will get you where you want to go. I guess my advice would be not to make a decision out of fear. Do you fear that you won't be able to get into a PhD program next year without this MHS? If this is the case, I would try to find a professor from your previous masters who could give you an objective opinion on your application and let you know whether an MHS would actually make a difference. Of course, if your ultimate goal is to do a PhD at an Ivy League and nowhere else (just an example), then maybe going into debt is worth it. Also, definitely try to find current MHS students to speak with. Hopkins has a great reputation, but I have heard that a lot of the faculty are inaccessible and that they accept a lot of students to the PH program so it's hard to build close relationships with faculty. Basically, check with current students if your expectations of what you want to get out of this MHS will be met. Anyone else have additional thoughts? PS It's interesting that you haven't received anything from Pitt. I think the acceptances went out, which means you might be on the waitlist. PPS I assume you already have a master's. If you don't, then having one will definitely improve your application significantly for next year's PhD cycle.

out of curiosity, was the 12k a full stipend? (just because i saw online there are also half stipends). -- just checked the poverty threshold and there is a separate, lower one for 65+ As if the medical costs don't compensate a million times the potential difference in lower cost of living as an "older person". Jeez.

Thanks so much for this answer! Really helpful, and "duh" to me for not figuring out how to google sooner. I have to admit that i'm a bit shocked with how low the minimums are....

Also got rejected by Columbia. SIGH. Also, I was able to log in with my pin, etc, i created a new password and now when I go back to log in again, it tells me my password is wrong. Anyone else have the same problem?

Anyone have any friends currently doing PhDs?

In terms of funding, if one is to be working 20 hours a week as part of their PhD package, how much can one expect to earn? One university told me that the 20h packages are fairly uniform across universities. Is this true?

Thanks so much for the heads up! I'm not holding my breath, but I just want to KNOW, lol. Was anyone who applied to Sociomedical contacted at all (apart from the the financial thing) since applying?

I keep telling myself that if I can't handle this right now, how on earth am i going to handle actually doing the teaching and the writing and the researching at the same time. So in a weird way, it helps put this in perspective

I live-chatted to an administrator a few months back about Columbia's SMS program and asked about the timeline for interviews. They said that they don't interview, and that applicants are only contacted if the committee needs clarification about the application. Then they proceeded to tell me that it was an extremely competitive program, and that it is possible to not hear from them at all and get an acceptance in March. This seems quite unbelievable to me (that they would give full funding to someone they haven't even spoken to), but i'm not a committee member.... either way, I'm not exactly holding my breath. Hope this helps!