[DrPH Applicants Fall 2019]

Is anyone else waiting to see what financial aid might be available from Hopkins before sending in their acceptance?

I did take plunge and booked travel to Baltimore for the orientation. If anyone is interested in sharing housing (AirBnB, 2-bedroom, already booked with flex cancellation policy), feel free to direct message me. 

[DrPH Applicants Fall 2019]

4 hours ago, TopofthemuffinTOYOU said:

No, I haven't heard anything yet. ? There's some updated information on the Hopkins DrPH website about upcoming orientation for those lucky few of us who do get in. Just some dates to pencil in on your calendar. https://www.jhsph.edu/academics/degree-programs/doctoral-programs/doctor-of-public-health/admissions.html

 

Well that's frustrating! I just scheduled an international trip last week for this exact same week for an investigators meeting... Has anyone followed up with JHU directly on their timing for decisions? It's so tempting to call and ask, but I hate to do anything that annoys someone on the other end of the line!

[DrPH Applicants Fall 2019]

56 minutes ago, TopofthemuffinTOYOU said:

Looks like several of the Hopkins DrPH admits from last year found out first week of March. Sigh. 3 weeks until I have an answer.

What are everyone else's plans if they aren't accepted this cycle? I may apply more broadly next year (Hopkins again, plus include UIC and UNC) and continue to get experience in the policy space related to cannabis/chronic pain/opioids. It's hard though, because I checked out the other two programs this year, and Hopkins just seemed like the best fit for a number of reasons.
I suppose if my application is bumped down because I have a PhD, I'm not really sure what I can do about that other than continue to get more experience to convince the adcoms that this is something I'm serious about, and it isn't just a passing fancy.

I found out yesterday that I am wait listed at Harvard. While I didn't have any expectations about even getting an interview at Harvard, it was really encouraging to make it to a second interview. Somewhat discouraging to be wait listed, but it's better than a rejection right? Anyhow, my lesson learned follows During my second interview the following questions were asked:

1. Have I identified any researchers within larger HSPH that I would be interested in working with? I said, well not really.... I thought the program was fairly prescribed and there wasn't much opportunity for flexibility and individual tailoring of the curriculum and practical work.

2. Have I spoken with the program director? No. I tried to connect with the program director but was pushed aside to staff to answer my questions. Also there was a change in leadership over the summer and I was trying to contact them during this period. Sigh.

3. Have I spoken with current/former students? Yes.

4. <Not asked, but I told him> I visited HSPH over the summer while I was in town to present at conference, I got a tour from connections I know at HSPH and met some faculty. No one in the DrPH program made themselves available when I was there. 

This boils down to, that I'm 100% thinking that "convince the adcoms that this is something I'm serious about, and it isn't just a passing fancy." is exactly what i needed to demonstrate more of, and why I'm on the wait list and not accepted. Frustrating in that I feel like I did as much as I should, but they were looking for more. 

 

[DrPH Applicants Fall 2019]

Thank you!

I did not ask directly if an interview is required for admission. I felt that the interviews were both to assess my interest and reasons for applying to the program as well as my character/personality. Both Harvard and UNC seem to place a lot of value on cohort dynamics and emphasized the 'learn-from-one-another' approach within their respective programs. 

[DrPH Applicants Fall 2019]

Hello, likewise I have been following this thread for a while (rather obsessively!). Congrats @brittany18 on your acceptance to Berkeley!

I have applied largely to online/remote programs. My applications/status:

• Harvard: Have had two skype interviews, the first with an admissions committee representative and second with steering committee representative. 
• UNC: Have had one skype interview with a faculty member and previous graduate
• Hopkins: No word
• UIC: No word