sunshine6

Hi Maeisenb, since you seem to know the area very well, and are still kind enough to answer questions, I pose these to you. I have a dog. A big one. He is old and quiet and stuff, but we both prefer a more 'burby atmosphere. I haven't lived in an apartment for over a decade. And eh, nightlife smightlife, I am old too. I own a car, but am fine with bussing in for school. As of yet, I have no funding, but I may take the chance (and my table waiting skills) and go for the program at GWU anyway. I do have an MA degree, so tutoring is always viable as well. I would chew off a finger to live alone (okay, perhaps not) but I doubt it will be possible. So, any thoughts on an area that is cheap, dog friendly-like, and has it's own neighborhood going on, like schools and markets, where non academic employment might be had? And yes, I realize cheap is relative, as is safe. I have lived in some dumps, but I have found that sometimes the supposedly 'less safe' areas are the same ones that are mostly where blue-collar non-white families live.. which suits me fine. So? Will you accept this challenge Ser?

Hiya! I am a student at OU, not a pub health major here, but I am a grad student taking public health classes at the Health Science Center currently. I have lived in the OKC area for three years, so I can help you there. I too have been accepted into the program, but am possibly going elsewhere. As far as the two programs, U. N. Tex is ranked at # 36, with OU HSC at # 25 (http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/public-health-rankings) However, I would focus on what networking opportunities that are avail. OU has the advantage of a medical hub for the state. That said, I know practically nothing about N.Texas, except that it is Fort Worth.... (right??) Let me know if you think I can be of assistance! And Congrats!

Paradoll, I received an automated email from Sophas explaining only one GRE score needed to be sent to a participating school, and the school would transmit the score to SOPHAS. Apparently this email was due to some feedback that this policy was unclear (because it really is).

Thanks!

This may sound really provincial, but meh, don't care. I have lived in TX (Austin) for the past forever, so I am ignorant when it comes to actual urban living. I have a dog. He has been with me for over a decade, and is the closest I will get to having a child. If this is annoys you, just stop reading here. I am very seriously considering school in Philly, but I (in all truth and lameness) want to be sure that it is feasible to take him with me. So the Q is: Is it unrealistic to find a suburby style place on a budget that allows a dog, and (hope upon hope) have a small yard for the big guy? I am willing to commute--but I have to be realistic about the cost. Would love to hear from dog people. EDIT: He would be indoors unless I am home to watch him outside. I am not one of those jerks that leaves dogs tied out all the time. Thanks.

This needs a bump. In other fields (like social sci) safety schools are those that may not be as well recognized, yet offer value to the applicant as far as close student/faculty ratio, or recently established sub-disciplines that offer interest specific programs that may fit a limited scope, and therefore limited applicants. I come from Anthro, which has many programs that are not really "ranked", as the sub-fields are very diverse and individual (like location-specific cultural, physical, or linguistic categories.. ex. biocultural studies on HIV in Urban Areas in the US etc). So PH folks, what does one define as a "safety school" in your dicipline? The more generalized MPH programs? Those that are not ranked on US News& World Report? Do tell....

Thanks so much for your imput Dee! I would love to hear more about the project you are working on.. And any info you can offer with regards to your exp with GWU. Feel free to PM me if you can find the time between apps and such. Again many thanks for your help!

(and now I am paranoid) Oh grad school applications, what hast thou done to my sanity!?

adherence. Part of my essay deals with the ridiculous-ness of labeling patients "non-compliant" Thanks for the heads up!

Ok, I have something to complain about. Just got an email saying I only needed to send one GRE score to ONE Sophas school, and it would be forwarded to Sophas, NOW you tell me, 5 scores later. Sheesh.

Hi! I finishing my MA in biological anthropology this Spring, along with taking some grad level intro classes: Biostats and Epi. I have 1100 GRE (ugh) but a 4.0 at the grad level, so there is that. My interests are socio-economic barriers to drug therapy compliance. Particularly that of the impoverished, incarcerated, or otherwise underserved. I would like to address these issues with a community based education approach. Applying to: UNC--MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education Drexel--DrPH in Community Health and Prevention GWU--(Not sure if MPH or DrPH, still waiting on feedback from the program) Health Behavior/Health Promotion USF-- dual MPH/anthro PhD These are all really exciting programs to me. Are there any others I should look into? I considered Columbia, Emory, UPitt and UT-Austin as others. I decided against Columbia because I don't like NYC, the folks at Emory never answered inquiry emails, and I am still thinking over the last two--just getting low on application/transcript/gre score funds. I would love any imput regarding, well, any of this. Cheers!

Can I complain about programs that have you do half through SOPHAS and half by another system? One application, two sets of everything! Drat and phooey.

Heyooo, Finishing an MA in Bio-med antho, and thinking a dual degree may be the way to go. Thoughts? Experiences with specific departments? Should I even get the PhD or is an MPH enough? Last one: a DrPH program is on the table as well, anyone transition from anthro to a program like this? Thanks folks!

Hey 007, We have similar interests, and I am finishing a MA bioanth program, and looking for phd programs. I second anthro geek on the concerns with ASU and UTenn. I too am anxious about choosing an evo program, unless they have someone I would want really to work with. The key is the faculty. After reading their bio's, go to google scholar or another search engine and see how often they publish. Look to see if they are working on something along the lines of your interests, and how recent that work was done. Contact them, yea it is awkward, but you'll want to know if they are accepting students. No point in applying somewhere if your chosen advisor is leaving on sabbatical in 6mo. Grad school for bioarch is ALL about who you study under. Send me a pm if you like, we can help eachother look for programs. k

I agree with fuzzy. Your prof was probably just making sure you weren't planning on taking too much time off. As in, "I am going to move to (insert interesting locale here) to find myself... be back, um soon." 2 years? Bad idea... 1 year to get your work done? No problem.

The writing portion's importance is up for debate. Just take care when answering, use proper punctuation and spelling. Also, read about the test's instructions and objectives in a Kaplan book or online, and keep those objectives in mind while writing. I tried to get too creative and link their topic with another relevant to my field as an example. This turned out to be a bad idea, as I think they were looking for concise writing as opposed to a critical thinking approach. 2 cents..

Well, harsh, arrogant or whatever, most US Universities expect the GRE. Typically taken before entering grad school at all, at the MA or PhD level. I realize standardized testing sucks, (and I suck AT it as well.) But I highly doubt you are going to find a good US institution that will waiver it on any situation, especially given that you are not done with your thesis or the equivalent thereof, unless under EXTREME circumstances, ie: found a cure for cancer or something... or you are the new Einstein. Perhaps an answer to your question, standardized testing hang ups aside, is to spend a few bucks and take the GRE. If you bomb it, than stop there. Finish what you are doing research-wise, retake GRE after studying, then apply. If the initial GRE results are on the good side for the programs you want, you could take the chance to apply.. I caution against this though, because of a few very solid reasons. You will be spending a lot of money to apply. Without the GRE score you can achieve with some time spent studying, and minus the LORs, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. If you have patience, you may get a better shot and better funding. (given the US assumption that GREs have anything to do with grad success, but that's besides the point...) To simplify, I hope, I offer my situation. I am at an MA program. I took the GRE and did rather poorly. If I were to apply to a doctoral program without my thesis work complete, I doubt anyone would be willing to risk funding me. SO I will finish my MA, (and possibly even retake the GRE) and apply then. The extra year? Yeah looks like it'll have to happen. To me it isn't worth going into a doctoral program without full funding. Bottom line, don't rush it. This is the rest of your life you are considering. Study for the GRE, finish your paper, and then apply with your LORs. You'll be better off for it in our competitive application environment. And as always, good luck!

Good luck to both of you! Let me know if I can help, I am not a mod or anything, but went through the pain off applying last year and I applied earlier than most. So this board helped a bunch, but some stuff I learned after the fact. If there is anything I can do just post, I'll be checking back!

I moved, I'm unpacked, and I'm lonely and depressed. What the hell am I supposed to do until school starts!?!?!?

This was posted elsewhere on this forum, and suggests some good ideas... http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/advic ... ctive.html

I thought the writing component of my GRE was insipid. The grading council thought the same of me. I am a native English speaker, and have been complimented on my writing style multiple times in the past. Yet, my score was just horrific. So I say the writing portion scoring could use some updating. (I did well on the verbal...) If there was a circumstance that may have hindered your writing a good essay, you may mention it in an SOP. Be sure not to make excuses however, and send a writing sample along with your SOP, whether or not it's required. It could offset any perceived damage the score may have caused. Be cautious though, if your writing sample is in another language, then perfect translation is necessary. In that case, you could indeed ask for a help from a professional translator. No ethical issues with that. Keep in mind too, that economic issues have limited some universities total allowed admissions. That may be why you had some surprise rejections. Another problem could have been a lack of contact with the staff you want to work with. If they can only have one student, they will take the one they have communicated with previously. Keep in mind there is nothing wrong with sending a friendly email to ask for any feedback on your rejected app. This may clear up many questions and make the reapp a breeze. I wish you lots of luck on your reapplication process!

I have a mini-messenger Chrome bag, and I love it. Its waterproof (as in you can, and I have, put ice and beer cans in it as a cooler). Also completely washable and is comfortable for heavy loads. Somehow the weight is more balanced than your usual strap type messenger bag. Also you can order it to loop around your left or right side. It can fit my wide screen laptop too, with plenty of room to spare. http://www.chromebagsstore.com/messenger-bags.html The only drawback is that they aren't terribly professional looking. So I am looking for an additional bag that would look nice with a suit type thing, probably one of the 70's style leather messengers that professors seem to covet.

Thanks! That will narrow it down considerably!

I have a filing cabinet chock full of my undergrad work... Papers, tests, notes, the whole deal. Haven't got rid of a single thing, and it has come in handy in the past. Thing is, I am moving, and need to lighten every load. I know the first thing you will tell me is that this stuff is already on my hard drive, but that isn't the case. I take notes by hand (I know dinosaur tech) and my HD crashed early last year taking everything I did have saved with it. I know now to have a back up, or at least a web based email archive... What would you keep? Notes on my exact sub-field? All papers or relevant papers only? What about books? Worth keeping? I figured I'd post this here, as some of you are already familiar with this situation.

Hey Nesine! I think that you can be a good candidate for an Anthro program, or even a Near Eastern studies program, which should also be tied closely with anthro classes. The reasons you state for the change (lack of anthro classes available) make sense, and the history classes you've taken support your interest. History and people are intertwined. If you can link the concepts you are interested in studying in the future with what you have already studied, you will have a very compelling research proposal. I think the only real obstacle you face is to find a school that has enough Near Eastern studies/Near Eastern Anthro professors/program strength. Look at universities' websites to find this information. Write/email schools to ask about their Turkish departments. What I mean is, a school won't accept you unless they have someone to teach you. (In my case, I began undergrad with an interest in studying gender in ancient India. Too bad there was only a single class for it. ) I am sure you are qualified to gain acceptance, you just have to find and apply to the places that have similar interests. Just look hard enough and you will find your niche.