CatMeow1234

Hi everyone! I am interested in knowing your opinions on if we should update faculty members that we have contacted/spoken to during the application process but did not end up with the program they are in?  If so, could you please share some example sentences? I want to be kind and polite, and don't want to lose the connection (they are great people & researchers in my field) or insult them. And advice is much appreciated! Thanks!

I got taken off the waitlist on JHU, the only school I applied in this cycle. Feel so blessed!! Thank you, Everyone, for your support and sharing in the tough waiting time. This is a great community. I would never be able to survive in the process without this forum. Wish those still on waitlists the best luck! For JHU folks, I would like to connect with you guys offline ~~

Alright! Got my final rejections from Boston and Hopkins (although both of their rejection letters were quite kind!).
So Tulane it is! Let me get this ball rolling and start prepping for this move!

I know that we're near the end and very close to being disbanded but ya'll I just have to say it: THANK YOU!
You all have been a tremendous source of support and strength and I cannot say enough how meaningful it's been to connect with many of you offline, in real life (zoom), etc.
I didn't think I'd find a community of people who in the face of a pandemic, national unrest, etc., were like "you know what? F*ck it, let's apply"--but I'm so very happy I did. 
So cheers, you brilliant crazies! Now let's go leave our imprint on this field. ??

Finally finally FINALLY received my first offer of admission to the University of Maryland Environmental Health PhD program!!! However, it's unfunded for my first year so I'll be carrying a small stipend from one of my prior mentors and likely commuting from home to save rental costs. It's a dream program due to mentorship, connections, and projects so I don't want to turn it down! For those still waiting, it ain't over til it's over

Just been accepted to the GW PhD program in Global Public Health Sciences! After a stream of rejection mails, this is the first acceptance letter and I'm tearing up ? I was really prepared for the worst, as this is my second cycle of applying. I really couldn't believe at first though how I'd been rejected or waitlisted by so many schools I applied.. but to those who are still in the waiting game, don't give up yet. I got my interview request in mid March and nearly gave up as I knew the funded positions were highly competitive (they said they are taking only two students) - but you never know where life takes you to!

Also, I want to add that, although I found this forum super helpful, for others this place was damaging to their mental health. The admissions process is brutal and the collective anxiety here can be too much for many. So I don’t begrudge anyone from unplugging. 

Definitely true. But I think it’s because this thread is for applicants. When you’re already locked in, it’s not as relevant. And I think most hesitate to talk about their next steps (planning a move, quitting their shitty job, picking classes etc) when others are reeling from not hearing back. I’m a woman but I’m pretty willing to say that bragging about an admit while people are trying to pick up the pieces of a crazy cycle is a d*ck move. 
 
But with that said, if anyone wants to start a new thread about the hereafter, I’m definitely down to contribute! 

hey ya'll, i've officially accepted my offer from Tulane SBPS after reaching out to Brown's BSHS program director to gain insight on waitlist movement.
i'm super excited and would love to connect with anyone else who plans to attend Tulane (regardless of department) since I know absolutely no one in NOLA haha

I have an interview at University of Arizona tomorrow... 
If I had to guess, maybe I was on some sort of a waitlist and then contacted after an unsuccessful first round, not very sure. Putting this out there more so for folks waiting for this school and thinking all is lost. It definitely is not! 

I was accepted to the Hopkins HPM PhD program on Tuesday. I'm stunned. Would love to chat with anyone else who is headed to Hopkins-- best of luck to you all!

Congratulations on your (future) little one! I agree with ASA, it depends on the program. My friend (Epi) did that successfully last year and their funding was successfully deferred a year too. But not all programs will do this, they may say to re apply again. Good luck!!

Also just got a rejection from UC Berkeley’s DrPH program. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions the past month!!
 
Good luck to everyone starting programs in the fall, folks still waiting for decisions, and those who are reapplying. This was my 2nd application cycle and worked so hard to get to this stage! I’m also thrilled to say I accepted a fully funded offer from UCLA’s PhD in CHS last week! Stay persistent and strong y’all!! ♥️✊?

Officially accepted my offer for admission in UNC's Health Behavior program! 
Happy to connect, if anyone else has decided on UNC!!!!
 

Hi! Congrats on the interview… that is great! Thank you, I appreciate it. I have not heard from them! 

Me: "no need to overthinking it!"
Also me: overthinking everything 

I wrote the program director with an one-sentence email, a few hours later the decision was rendered on the portal. (I'm not sure if it's because of my email pushing or they're gonna do it anyways.) Applicants do it all the time so no need to overthinking it . 

I prepared a few answers in advance of mine to questions like tell me about yourself, what are your research interests, what are you interested in studying for your dissertation, why this school/program and how it aligns with your goals, who I'd want to work with and why, and career plans in the next 5-10 years. I didn't get asked most of the questions I prepared for, but it was helpful to have thought through and practiced each of these since I used most of the same points in my interview answers.
Good luck!!!

I looked up my interviewers and made sure I had some idea of their work, and could ask relevant questions if I had time to. Also, as someone said above, i prepared answers for “tell me about yourself/why phd/why our program” type typical questions... this was helpful because while I didn’t actually use any of these exact answers, it was good to think through. 
 
The two things I prepared that WERE super helpful was (1) practicing describing one or two of my current projects succinctly and knowledgeably to a non-co-investigator, and (2) describing a project that id be interesting in working on while in the program. 

I also did a practice round with my boyfriend, to get some experience in the interview setting over Zoom.

Good luck!!! 

Same!! Got an acceptance email from the DrPH program director saying the official letter will come soon.
NYU DrPH ❤️ 

Congrats, Dr. HealthMatters! 
 
PS. Screw the rankings! If this program is going to help you achieve your career goals with 0 debt then that sounds like a steal to me! 

Just got accepted into NYU's DrPH program!! ❤️❤️

Y'all, it finally happened. I got accepted. I'm going to get a PhD in epi! UMass may not be ranked t10, but it's a great school and in three years I'll have the degree. Anyone else going to accepted student day tomorrow? 

Hi everyone, just wanted to update that I applied to 3 DrPH programs and 1 PhD. So far 1 rejection at UNC, interviewed at Indiana University still waiting to hear, and just got accepted to USF after interviewing 2 weeks ago. The PhD program I applied to Maastricht Univ, Netherlands. Has a pretty good reputation and also a part-time program tailored for working professionals. I was also accepted there. I am incredibly lucky to have been accepted in at least 2 schools given that I cannot stop working full-time nor did I want to retake the GREs. With most schools dropping GRE requirement I felt this was my one chance! 
Though I'm still waiting for Indiana, I have already decided I will go with Maastricht because I work in Africa and it's easier and cheaper to fly to Europe for classes than the USA.
I wish everyone that is still waiting the best! I am a working mom with 2 small kids so my plate is already overflowing but I didn't give up and I hope you won't either. I also encourage everyone who did not gain acceptance to broaden their net when reapplying. 

Just got accepted to the USF Community and Family Health program. I was waitlisted before.