HealthPolicyMgmtPhD

I have been going crazy trying to make a decision so I am seeking advice here on the forum. I got into three health policy and management (HPM) doctoral programs — the DrPH (Hopkins), GW (PhD) and a lower ranked (30-something) PhD program (still CEPH accredited). Of the three, I am being offered funding only from the lower ranked program (full tuition + stipend for two years). I met with my potential advisors, talked to dozens of students, and I didn’t come across personal red flags at every school, though of course I’m excited for the prospect of going to the #1 public health school with its network and ability to and learn from a big name advisor at Hopkins. At the same time, I have a family and wouldn’t want to add unnecessary financial stress if I can avoid it; the professors at the other schools seemed good too. I feel that I can make something out of each program. I am employed and all three programs can let me work part time (and I still get the tuition benefit if I go part time). The costs differences are huge: total for the program is ~80K for Hopkins whereas I’d be “earning” money from the other lower ranked school. GW’s cost falls in the middle. I feel like I can still get something out of every program. Is it worth going into debt to go to the top school? Should I be worried about the rankings? What would you do? April 15 is so close and this has been driving me crazy!

Somehow I just saw these messages (I’m reading the forum on my phone!) ... I’m less sure on my end. One day, I’m leaning on the cheaper option, other times, I’m leaning on the Hopkins DrPH. Really wish we could have visited the schools in person!

I got my letter this past Thursday about my JHSPH committee and faculty advisor....did you get yours since your last message? I’m really excited with whom they fit me with, but I am still very torn about deciding between this and a tuition-covered PhD. I reached out and had the chance to talk to my potential faculty advisor via phone this Friday and I had good feelings about the call. Having recently talked to faculty at the other school I am considering, I do feel there’s a caliber difference. Justifying the cost difference is something I’m still weighing at this time though! The PhD program will let me work part time so I’m not sacrificing my career potential in either case. What’s your thoughts so far on your decisions? On the call, my faculty advisor offered for me to talk to prior students that he advised, so I’ve set up some calls this week to get a sense of their experiences and how things went for them in my particular track. So far, I have chatted with two students. They expressed that financing through a combination of employer and personal funds was really the main way to fund the degree; overall they all had good things to say about their program experiences. Would love to hear what you’ve been thinking! Let me know! We still have time to make a decision so I hope that my talking with everyone the next weeks will get me to a final decision.

Will you be attending today’s Hopkins admitted students webinar? I’ll be in flight so I’ll miss it! If you have anything to share from today, please post!

@2020epi - I am in the same boat! I am trying to decide between the Hopkins DrPH and a PhD at a less prestigious program. I plan to stay full-time at work too, but the PhD is giving tuition support if I can give between 10-20 hours as a GA, so it is something I'd have to consider. I was hoping for the Bloomberg fellowship, but having not gotten it, I am trying to decide the best option. Would love to hear others in a similar situation, and what you might end up deciding!

For the interview with Hopkins, I was interviewed by just one person. I had applied to both the DrPH and the PhD in Health Policy so the questions focused on why I applied to both programs and if I were to go the DrPH route, what I hope to gain out of the program. I might have been contacted because I specifically applied to both— I’m not sure!

I had an interview with Hopkins on the Health Policy track this past week... they are definitely reviewing candidates now! Good luck to everyone!