epi_hopeful19
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Posts posted by epi_hopeful19
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Accepted Pitt's Epi PhD offer with full funding!
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7 hours ago, theonewiththePhDapp said:
Starting to worry because I have not received funding information from my top school yet, and decision deadline is fast approaching. I have followed up a couple times the past weeks, but keep hearing that the information is still pending. Ahhhhh!
I think I'm going to wait until Friday to see if I hear back then ask some other programs I'm considering for an extension for reply. Or should I just ask now? If only this was an issue at a school that I wasn't as invested in.
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!
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23 hours ago, HSR_HPM2019 said:
Is anyone else having a difficult time making a final decision? I'm basically down to two schools, one of which has guaranteed funding for all five years (and a good stipend) and a couple professors I'd be interested in working with, while the other one I think is a better overall research fit but with two years guaranteed funding (although they say you'll get funding years 3 + 4, you just might have to TA/RA for it if you don't get a fellowship) and farther away from where my home base is (which could be good or bad...). It's a good problem to have, I know, I'm just terrible at making decisions, especially huge ones like these.
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!
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6 hours ago, hopingforahailmary said:
After 3 applications cycles, 14 applications, and 12 rejections, I am FINALLY going to my dream program! I got a call from JHU GDEC Friday afternoon and I received my acceptance letter/saw portal changes a few hours later. DREAMS COME TRUE LADIES AND GENTS YOU CAN MAKE IT OFF THE WAITLIST!
Seriously though, thank you to this forum for all of the support and well wishes. Congrats to all!!!
Congrats! That's incredible!!
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@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.
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47 minutes ago, hopingforahailmary said:
I’m actually in a similar boat! Waitlisted for my number one, accepted elsewhere. I’ve reached out to the program I’ve been accepted to in order to ask for an extension on my decision deadline, which they gave me (May 15). I do know some people accept and then retract, but personally, if you can get the extension, I think that would be the better route.
Where are you waitlisted? If you don’t mind me asking! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for both of us!
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
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5 hours ago, gvs4 said:
I am trying to decide between the following programs: Emory MPH, Boston University MPH, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor MPH, and Duke MsGH. I have been accepted into all four and need to make a decision soon! I am ultimately deciding between Emory and Duke, but I do not want to completely eliminate BU or Michigan yet.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is a significant difference in the way a MPH or a MsGH (Masters of Global Health) is viewed in the job market or in academia. I am coming straight out of my undergrad and I ultimately want to continue my education after grad school (either get a PhD or possibly MD). I am interested in infectious diseases and outbreak preparedness.
I was also hoping someone could tell me some general pros/cons of these programs or of their own experience. I am from North Carolina, so I know what life is like in Durham and at Duke, but I have never been to Ann Arbor and I have only spent a short amount of time in Boston and Atlanta.
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).
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7 hours ago, VulpesZerda said:
Hi, just wondering if anyone knows of a list of 1-year MPH programs? I am considering applying to an NCI post-doc fellowship that requires accepted applicants to complete an MPH in the first year (if they don't already have one) and it has to be done in 12 months or less. NCI provided a short list on their website (Dartmouth, Columbia, for example), but I am hoping to peruse all possibilities. The ASPPH search tool didn't have a filter for this so I thought to ask here.
Hopkins has one too!
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2 hours ago, apex45 said:
Declined my offer to Pitt. Deciding between Michigan and Brown now. I'm hoping I make up my mind by April 15, but it's a really hard decision.
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!
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14 hours ago, bookworm2 said:
I hope you get good news soon! When making a decision I like to consider the worst case scenario.
Do you think you could get a suitable job in location A that would still allow you to attend your program? Hopefully you'll get funding from the professors, but it would be nice to know if you can provide your own funding just in case.
Do you think you could get a job that you wouldn't mind doing for a year in location B in case you aren't accepted this year and want to reapply for next year?
If it was me I would look for jobs that appealed to me in these two locations to cover my bases.
Once your boyfriend starts residency, how much free time will he have? How much free time will you have? Being at location A might not be so different than being at location B in terms of the time you get to see him if he has to do one of those ridiculously grueling residency programs. I think a long distance relationship could definitely work even though its tough.
Best of luck to you!! I hope you get accepted with funding to both schools and can have your choice!
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!!
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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.
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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/
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10 hours ago, Imalthica said:
I should hear back about the NSF-GRF in early April (4th-6th), so just a bit before the deadline.
I wholeheartedly agree though, about being in this sort of position. While it would have been nice to have grabbed a spot with funding back in mid-February I've learned a lot through this process, and it's definitely changed my framework for how I might approach it again in the future, if need be. And it's really reassured me of what my priorities are, especially with regards to my interdisciplinary interests. While my multidisciplinary tendencies are probably what kept me from being accepted to more programs outright, I still won't give them up, just alter my approach and narrative to suit my goals, if I must. I guess it's good though, to better learn how to sell yourself and your ideas to other people...
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.
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1 hour ago, Imalthica said:
Thanks! I feel pretty good about the quality of my NSF-GRF application, though it's my first time applying, and I've heard it's kind of a crap-shoot. I applied for the interdisciplinary category (70% ecology, 30% anthropology), so I'm not really sure how that'll go. I just hope I get it, because it's a lot of money I could definitely use for my predicament right now with grad school
I'm ranked 6th on one wait-list for two spots, while the other one is unranked, but the POI is super enthusiastic about me. I have expressed my interest for both programs multiple times to multiple relevant people, and have made sure that it is understood that I want to keep both my spots on the wait-lists. I'm hoping that if I don't get in this year, I can at least work as an RA in the meantime in either program, and reapply again next year. It just doesn't make sense to accept the lower-funded offer if I have the chance of going to the school I would prefer, along with my partner and more money, but we'll see.
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.
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10 hours ago, Imalthica said:
Thanks everyone! I really needed this! I'm in a similar position: I've been accepted with okay funding at Texas A&M, but am waitlisted in two programs at Tulane (my top choice). My partner got into Tulane for a different program, with better funding than I got at Texas A&M, so it looks like we're probably going to be in NOLA come the fall. If I can get off at least one of the waitlists, I should also have a decent funding opportunity (better than Texas A&M anyway), plus I'm trying for the NSF-GRFP, which would also guarantee me a spot in either program, regardless of my waitlist status.
It's all really stressful, and I will likely hear back (unless I get the NSF-GRF) after the April 15th deadline. But it's nice to know that I'm not the only one!
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?
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22 minutes ago, Entangled Phantoms said:
The CGS resolution applies to offers of funding.
I would assume they can be professionals about this especially since they are not offering you funding, but apparently there are psychos in some fields.
No idea. In my field, if you don't have an offer of funding, that in and of itself, says that program has only minimal interest in you. Consequently, the only people disappointed when don't enroll are the people cashing your tuition checks.
If you have an offer of funding, it seems like a good idea to let the PI know. I wish I had done this.
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.
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@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!
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21 minutes ago, apex45 said:
No, I'm not able to, but please let me know how it is!
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.
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Anyone else going to Pitt's admitted students day?
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20 minutes ago, psych2315 said:
I'm following this for everyones thoughts & advice because I'm in almost an identical situation. At least we're not alone!
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one, and I hope we both get good news soon!
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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.
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On 3/10/2019 at 10:37 AM, Epidemy said:
Interesting. But people already got a rejection?
Yep, just got mine today *sigh*
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On 3/7/2019 at 3:13 PM, can_phd2019 said:
Hi everyone!
I have been lurking the past couple months, and breaking silence to ask if anyone has heard anything from UNC-Chapel Hill at all?
I saw a couple of acceptances for epidemiology, but my application status in the portal hasn't changed either way. I'm afraid to call, but the one school that admitted me (UW-Madison) has asked in a couple back and forth emails while i was getting more information what I think my intentions are. I know I've got until April, but I hate leaving them hanging.
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
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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!
PHD Applicants: Fall 2019
in Public Health Forum
Posted
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!