HopingForGoodNews

Salam fellow applicants,
I have been viewing this message board for some time now, and have two questions for the general community:
(1) Has absolutely nobody applied to state schools, or is it a matter of only claiming JHU/Harvard/Yale to show off to the other anonymous posters? Posting your “stats” on page 5 didn’t get you enough of a dopamine rush?
(2) What’s with the “we’re in this together” and “good luck” posts? We’re absolutely not, and we’re competing against each other for limited spaces, respectively. I mean, unless it’s a southern-sweet show of force, then that’s sensible. This isn’t tennis. 
 
Alright, have a nice day. 

Hi everyone! Just wanted to provide an update. I was accepted to U Michigan's Epi PhD program today. I was surprised to hear from them so soon, as they stated in the interview that decisions would be released by mid-March. I'm very excited! I hope others will continue to receive great news. 

Hey everyone, on Friday I got an offer to Brown Epi. The letter said they accepted 4 students out of 200. Best of luck to everyone! 

I did too! I'm so thrilled! Also, I received my email of admission at least four hours after you posted this (and after 6pm EST), so it seems that they're being sent out one-by-one for those who are still waiting anxiously for news. 

Guess it's my turn to say that Duke University (PhD in Population Health Sciences) invited me for an interview. Much excitement  

Happy Friday everyone! Wanted to share that I got an interview with Nevada. Not a crazy top ranked program like some of you guys  but I’m pumped to finally hear news. I’m a little untraditional of an applicant with no formal research experience and limited publications so it felt nice to get an interview invite! 

I did too! I'm so thrilled! Also, I received my email of admission at least four hours after you posted this (and after 6pm EST), so it seems that they're being sent out one-by-one for those who are still waiting anxiously for news. 

I love all of you. I’m so glad to have such supportive online pals

To those who asked about Boston University Epi PhD program, I just got an email this afternoon about doctoral student day on 2/12.  Good luck, everyone!

Congrats! I went there for both undergrad and my masters. Not sure how to PM on here but feel free to if you have questions about school/program  

I did too! I'm so thrilled! Also, I received my email of admission at least four hours after you posted this (and after 6pm EST), so it seems that they're being sent out one-by-one for those who are still waiting anxiously for news. 

I did too! I'm so thrilled! Also, I received my email of admission at least four hours after you posted this (and after 6pm EST), so it seems that they're being sent out one-by-one for those who are still waiting anxiously for news. 

I did too! I'm so thrilled! Also, I received my email of admission at least four hours after you posted this (and after 6pm EST), so it seems that they're being sent out one-by-one for those who are still waiting anxiously for news. 

I did too! I'm so thrilled! Also, I received my email of admission at least four hours after you posted this (and after 6pm EST), so it seems that they're being sent out one-by-one for those who are still waiting anxiously for news. 

I did too! I'm so thrilled! Also, I received my email of admission at least four hours after you posted this (and after 6pm EST), so it seems that they're being sent out one-by-one for those who are still waiting anxiously for news. 

Just received notification that I was recommended for admission to the Health Services Research PhD Program at Brown University. The Graduate School there will be formally sending me my acceptance and offer letter soon. Hope others who applied to the program also hear back positively.

Keep your head up. I applied last year to two schools and got rejected. I've been working in research for the time being, and racked up some more experience. This year, I have applied to 10 schools, and received 4 interview invites so far. The road gets better, and YOU get better. Your intentions to pursue doctoral studies becomes stronger (which will show in your future interviews). You'll look back and be like: wow, I really found value in using that extra year to work. It is a learning experience, so interpret it that way!

I just wanted to affirm this again. I applied to PhD programs for fall of 2020 in my senior year of college, and I was rejected from 10 PhD programs and 1 Masters program (which was everywhere I applied!). I felt like I had a solid application, and hadn't made any other plans post graduation, so this was a big blow to me. Going into this year, I was pretty pessimistic, but I have already been accepted into 2 programs.  
The year between my undergrad and grad has been very helpful for figuring out what topics I'm interested in researching, what I want to ultimately do with my career, and also just taking care of myself and getting some new hobbies. I also used this time to revamp my application, and I think I was able to improve it a lot.

Hey HealthMatters, I'm so so sorry to hear about your brother. That is devastating and I can't imagine how much pain you've fought through in the past months, and are still fighting through. Please know you are incredibly strong to have even picked yourself up from that traumatic loss and apply for these programs! And no matter the final outcome they are absolutely not a reflection of your ability! You are of great value to the world and I know you are going to eventually find a way out of the job you dislike and make a difference - because even in the midst of perhaps the greatest crisis in your life you are still resilient and committed enough to public health to actively work towards advancing it + striving to further your expertise with a PhD/DrPH. That is incredible and inspiring, and that is why I know someone like you will excel regardless of whether you get into a program this year or the next. I know you will make it. I cannot offer much besides a listening ear/someone to stress out with about results, but please reach out if you feel like it. If this year doesn't work out and you'd like a fresh pair of eyes to review your applications for the next, I'm happy to help with that too (in my limited ability as a fellow applicant). 
You got this! Please don't give up! Sending love. 

I haven't heard anything yet (good or bad) from Harvard Health Policy

In addition to all the amazing interview advice that posters have already given, I wanted to add a few potential curveball questions that I've seen online:
1. Why are you applying now? Why not take a few years and get more work experience? Conversely, if you already have significant work experience, what would a PhD offer you that work experience can't?
2. How did you arrive at your proposed research questions? Whose input and mentorship did you seek and why?
3. Describe a time you experienced a setback, academically or personally.
4. How do you perform in an unstructured environment? What guidance will you need to make sure you can finish your dissertation?

Just received an invitation to interview for BU's HSR program! Echoing @epi2be above and would love any pointers. Is this the right thread to crowdsource interview tips/potential questions?

For anyone like me who has been panicking about submitting to SOPHAS too close to the December 1 deadline to be verified - my second letter of recommendation was submitted yesterday (Sunday afternoon) and my application was verified in less than 12 hours! 
Good luck to all  

For anyone like me who has been panicking about submitting to SOPHAS too close to the December 1 deadline to be verified - my second letter of recommendation was submitted yesterday (Sunday afternoon) and my application was verified in less than 12 hours! 
Good luck to all