epi_hopeful19

I think programs often get back to waitlisted applicants after the April 15th deadline - not sure how long it would take them to make final decisions about waitlisted candidates. I'm sorry Michigan didn't get back to you yet!

Accepted Pitt's Epi PhD offer with full funding!

I'd ask for an extension! It can't hurt, and it's so close to the deadline that I think if you feel invested in the school for which you don't yet know about funding, it's totally worth it. Hopefully they can provide you with more information about funding before the 15th!

Have you been able to visit both schools or have a follow up conversation with POI or current students at each? Both sound like perfectly good options, even if the second school seems a bit riskier as far as funding goes. Personally, I would go with my gut here - you've clearly given it a lot of thought and weighed different pros and cons, so no matter what you're making an informed, reasonable decision. I'm sure you'd be successful at either program, but if you have the sense that one might be a better fit (even for more amorphous reasons like the vibe of the school), I'd go with that one. Good luck!

Congrats! That's incredible!!

@GuacemoleI'd have to say Hopkins. I'm sure you can get great training at any of those schools, but I think Hopkins will open up the most doors for you after graduation. Hopkins has a huge alumni network which can be particularly helpful when trying to find a job. There are a lot of part time RA positions at Hopkins, which could at least help you offset some of the cost of going there. Debt is obviously a serious consideration, but Baltimore is fairly cheap (especially with roommates), and as the program is only one year you'll be back to making money full time fairly quickly.

I'm also in a similar situation! I didn't realize you could ask for a deadline extension...thanks for putting that info out there My understanding is that if you want to switch your official decision prior to April 15th (aka you accept at one school, then get off the waitlist before the 15th and want to accept that school instead), that's fine. Switching after the 15th is trickier and may potentially burn your bridges with that school. However, ultimately you have to do what's right for you! Fingers crossed that we can all get off the waitlists at our #1s

As far as the MPH vs MS, I don't know how much it matters. Which degree gives you the opportunities to take classes that give you the skillset you want? If both programs have similar coursework, I don't think in the long run it will make a difference when applying to a PhD or MD. All of those schools are great, though I think Duke is the least well known for public health (check if they're accredited through CEPH).

Hopkins has one too!

Congrats on narrowing it down! That's definitely a tough choice, but both great options. Are you planning to stay on the waitlist at Minnesota and/or Yale, or are you definitely choosing either Michigan or Brown? No matter what, good luck!

Thank you for the advice! These are all helpful questions to consider. I think I could get a job in location A, however because I'd still be out the tuition (~20k p/semester), I don't think I'd be able to afford the first year without loans for tuition. I am hoping to avoid spending too much of my savings while in school if at all possible. I've thought of that and am considering it. My main issue with that is I think the weakness in my application may be more related to coursework than to work/research experience (aka I need to take a few more classes to boost my application). It's not like I couldn't take classes in location B (or possibly even at School B!) but it would be more of a stressful adjustment to start a new job and balance classes. If I take more classes, I think I'd need to get As in all of them. Yeah, neither of us will really have much free time. You have a point that I likely wouldn't be seeing him much regardless of where we each lived, at least for the first year. It's hard to balance career aspirations with relationships, and while he's supportive, we clearly need to have a few ongoing conversations about how to balance all these changes. Fingers crossed, and I hope so too!!

Some schools seem to put the onus on you to find funding - aka it's your responsibility to find professors who have available grad student research positions or a training grant you can be on. If I were you, I'd reach out to any POIs to see if they might have funding for you or could put you in touch with someone who does. The admissions coordinator might also be able to point you in the right direction. It doesn't hurt to reach out, and everyone I've reached out to has been helpful! My sense is professors really expect to hear from admitted students seeking funding, so I think you have an opportunity to make yourself known.

I don't know anything about that school or program specifically, but they are accredited by CEPH: https://ceph.org/about/org-info/who-we-accredit/accredited/

Ok, that would be incredible if it came through for you! Crazy how everything seems to get backed up till right before the deadline. I'd had these naive hopes that I'd get multiple funded offers and be able to figure everything out by April. Yeah, figuring out how to market yourself is likely something I need to work on as well. I don't think having multidisciplinary interests should hold you or anyone back, but it likely is harder to package/communicate those interests in a way that makes programs feel that you are the perfect fit. If I do wind up reapplying, that's something I'll have to give a lot of thought to, especially because I thought my statement of purpose was really strong but...perhaps I was wrong about that given the way things are turning out.

Oh that sounds really cool! I take it that you won't hear back about the NSF-GRF application till after the deadline? Well, it sounds like you're doing all that you can. And if you work there as an RA, especially after how much they already liked you this year, I'm sure your chances at getting in would be sky high! Honestly I think to a certain extent being in this position is clarifying - at least for me, its pushed me to reconsider what is *really* important to me and rearranging some of my priorities. Like at first when I applied I thought I'd only do research one well defined area, but as I try to figure out funding, I realize that even if I don't study this one exact thing, I'll gain the skills I need from working in a different but related area a POI actually has a grant in.

Good luck with the NSF-GRF! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Have you reached out to anyone at Tulane to see where you're ranked on the waitlist or even just to reiterate your interest?

Fair points! If I get an offer of funding from them before the deadline that would really change the equation. Everyone I've spoken with at School A has been super nice but I think they all know how crucial funding is, and in general I don't know that I'm comfortable accepting a non funded offer (and if I reapply, I'd only apply to schools that guarantee funding). It sounds as though when you accepted the second school post-deadline, everyone understood your reasoning and behaved professionally about it, which is heartening to hear. My understanding is that School B does take at least some people off the waitlist, so after having re-expressed my interest, I think there's a semi-decent chance I'd get off the waitlist at some point...and there's only ~4 more weeks till one way or another, I'm going to know for sure about School B and make a final decision about this (very long) application cycle.

@PsyDGrad90 @Entangled Phantoms Thank you both for your feedback! I know it's very tricky and frowned upon to accept an offer and try to back out post-deadline. I'm reaching out to current mentors but haven't been given a straight answer. The CSG link is helpful and gives me a sense of what to expect. I'm aware that even if I decline School A, there's a decent chance I'd network with or collaborate with their faculty down the line, so I'd like to maintain good relationships with them. That said, hopefully everyone can respect how important funding is to the school selection process. Closer to the deadline I was considering emailing School A to let them know I am waitlisted at a place that guarantees funding- basically trying to give them fair warning of what might happen. Good idea or nah? Also, it's very impressive that some people make that kind of serious long distance relationship work!

Sure thing! Feel free to message me if you have any specific questions about the school and I can try and find out while I'm there.

Anyone else going to Pitt's admitted students day?

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one, and I hope we both get good news soon!

So I've been accepted to School A without funding, and am in the process of speaking to professors to figure out who has funding and if they'd take me on. I may or may not know whether I can get funding by the time I have to make a decision. I'm waitlisted at School B that guarantees funding and assume I won't hear until around/right after the April 15 deadline. To complicate things, my boyfriend just matched for a 3-year residency program at School B. Both are good programs, but School A and School B are a 7 hour drive apart. Everywhere else is a no go. I'd appreciate any input on... 1. If I accept School A and then hear from School B after April 15, is it possible to turn around and tell School A that I'm actually not showing up after all? 2. Any suggestions for getting off the waitlist? I'm also not entirely sure why I was waitlisted instead of accepted when I had received very positive feedback from POIs. Of course many amazing candidates submitted strong applications, but right now if I had to reapply I don't know what I'd need to do to make myself more attractive to School B. 3. If I don't have guaranteed funding for at least the first year at School A by the deadline, should I just reject them regardless of School B? I like their program, and if I had funding I think I could be happy and successful there. I've been told that grants come through during the summer, so sometimes people are able to commit first and find funding later. Obviously I don't want to get stuck with an unfunded PhD though. 4. This may be a long shot, but has anyone done a long distance relationship during grad school/residency? If so, thoughts/advice would be appreciated. I know it wouldn't be easy but I may want/need to explore ways to make it work.

Yep, just got mine today *sigh*

I haven't heard from UNC either, though to be honest it's late in the process and I'd be very surprised to get an acceptance from them at this point. Congrats on UW Madison! You should take the time you need to decide no matter what

Just to vent: Haven't heard a peep from my top choice school, but I know they've been sending out acceptances. It feels like it's getting a bit late to expect a positive response so every day I lost a bit more hope. Being waitlisted today from a different school I really liked doesn't help my anxiety!