epi2be

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! 

Wowowow THANK YOU for this response! It’s so good to hear that you had positive experiences working there and in the city of Davis. The bikes, events, and vibe that you describe sound amazing! And omg summers in Tahoe and Yosemite?! Get out of town! ? I’ll be moving there from Atlanta, so I’m used to hot and super humid summers. I’m very glad to hear that the PhD student you worked with had a positive experience in the program too! The Davis program structure is a little confusing, but I suppose the important thing is that I get strong training in Epi/biostats while working under a faculty member that is really supportive of my work and connects me to future collaborators.
Do you happen to remember the name of that infectious disease advisor?
Seriously! I would pay for this kind of hype! Thanks so much!

Hey - congrats on Davis!!! I feel you though. I lived in Davis for a year and actually RAed for an infectious diseases PhD student there. I still keep in touch with her loosely and she's currently working at the CDC. From what I remember, she loved her program and her advisor was incredibly supportive. Sorry I don't have more info on the program, BUT I do have a lot of info on Davis.
First of all, I have to say I ABSOLUTELY LOVE DAVIS. It is a gorgeous little town. So chilled out and beautiful. Summers are HOT but you'll just have to take refuge in Tahoe (1.5 hrs away) and Yosemite (3 hrs away). I've had some of the most positive experiences of my life in Davis, and I was only there for a year.
My brother did his PhD at Davis in Econ. When he first applied, it wasn't his top choice either but 6 years later he is a fancy professor at a liberal arts college and has never looked back. The community he built at Davis are now some of his closest friends (and mine). Also, super fun events that happen during the year (picnic day, tour, farmer's markets). AND Davis is super duper safe. 
Hope this helps a bit and let me know if you want more info! 
Edit: how could I forget? Davis is the bike capital of the world. Super flat and loads of bike lanes. You should see the bike racks in UC Davis during the semester. Pretty crazy

Just got my last decision back (UCLA ID EPI)! 4/4 rejections. Time to start prepping for the next application cycle.. lol
As much as it stings, I'm allowing myself just 5 minutes to feel down. To those who are in the same boat, as much as we hate to hear it, it's a pretty random process. On paper, I would have a pretty competitive application (20 peer reviewed articles, several first author publications, 5+ years of professional experience, led some workgroups in collab. with CDC, great LORs, decent grades), but alas it all comes down to right time, right place. ?

Was admitted to Mailman Epi PhD program for Fall 2021.

Finally heard back and got in at UNC Epi!! So excited and will definitely be going there.

Folks, I wanted to share my experience this application cycle so people really know how difficult it was to apply this year. I applied to mostly epi PhDs. Here goes:
Stats: Undergrad GPA 3.8 (well-known foreign school), MPH epidemiology and biostatistics from top 5 PH program (GPA 3.93), GRE: 170V 165Q, 2 years full-time research experience at top 5 PH school, 2 co-author publications, 1 first-author publication. Worked on my personal statement for months and got a lot of feedback. Looking at it now, I still think it was a good one and checked all the boxes you're supposed to check for a statement.
I did all my due diligence with contacting PIs before applying. I must have done 20 meetings. In each meeting, I'd specifically ask the PI if they are accepting PhD students next year, and if they'd feel comfortable with my including their name in my application. I always asked if they had any questions for me, and usually got interview-type questions. I had incredibly positive meetings with almost all the PIs I met with. 2 PIs at Harvard told me they highly anticipate my being accepted into the epi program. One PI at Hopkins who's on the admissions committee said she'd be very surprised if I didn't get at least an interview to the program.
Results season comes around - my first rejection was from Hopkins. What followed was a stream of rejections from "safety" schools and everything in between. My anxiety was through the roof as getting a PhD offer was literally the only way I could stay in the US. I applied to 13 programs in total and finally got one acceptance. The irony was that I hadn't spoken with the PI at all before, and his research has nothing at all to do with my research interests or experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm super grateful to have the offer and will definitely take it. Just wanted to illustrate how odd/difficult of a cycle this was to apply.
Anyway, hope this helps a bit. Congrats to all the folks with acceptances and for the folks with none, you'll come back fucking stronger next year. 

I just accepted to Tulane's SBPS PhD Program!!!

I have heard back from all my schools, and will be accepting at UMass Amherst for CHE PhD. I have not yet confirmed this with the school. I am waiting to speak with my prospective mentor next week about the specifics of the fellowship I was awarded, so I have a better understanding of what I'm getting myself into financially. While not an "elite" school, it's a great fit for me as an arts-based researcher in Public Health and Arts in Health and I want to stay closer to home (New Jersey) because of some family matters. Nevertheless, I'm super excited! This was my first application cycle and only applied to 3 programs (it's really hard as an arts-based researcher in PH finding a good fit). Posting here in case others get accepted or decide to attend UMass, as I'd love to connect off the forum! Also happy to connect more generally if you're interested in how the arts can compliment public health research and programming. You can find me on IG @dramatichealtheducator. Good luck to you all. What is for you, is already yours. It might take a little work, but it is yours. This forum has been helpful, and I appreciate the grace you all share with each other. 

Hi! As a matter of fact, I was accepted to UNC epi today! 

Of course! I remember how terrible I felt last year and I remember it being  so helpful to hear words of encouragement from my friends and mentors.Your husband is really lucky! Most people don't get in on their first try. And I followed you back! Yay to more Public Health Twitter followers!!!

Also, I wanted to drop this link:
http://www.phdstipends.com
I know in the past that folks have said that this data isn’t 100% accurate, so use caution. With that said, it was on point for me. 

Based on my conversations with various programs, the NIH predoctoral rate is right below $26k. I’ve talked to numerous students at UNC and everyone said that even though funding isn’t guaranteed, it’s highly likely that you’ll receive funding from somewhere. One student said their stipend for this year is the same as the NIH rate so hopefully that helps!

Hello. I got a fellowship for USF’s community and family health PhD. It’s at the NIH level as well. It was 26k. 

Congratulations!! You're going to LOVE UCI's public health department. I earned my MPH there and the faculty was just amazing. I had some classes with the PhD students and I heard really great things about the program. I hope you have a great experience there!

Got accepted into the UC Irvine, Public Health PhD, Disease Prevention through an informal email from the admissions committee chair tonight.  Had a group interview last Friday. 
 
It's a nice relief after hearing how tough it is.  I was very worried.  I am 44 year old classical musician with a decent performing and college teaching career, teen age kids and bills.  A few years ago a I met a retired epi/biostatician from Johns Hopkins/Harvard selling some furniture on Facebook.  We became friends and then he hired me for research.  Never thought I would be doing this! 
I have three more to hear back from, but good luck to everyone.  

just got accepted to U Albany DrPH (Health Policy & Management) !
school verified complete application 12/14; although website said an interview is "required", I was not contacted to interview; got email today 2/17 to check portal
 

Hi! I totally get how you feel the waiting right now is literally the worst. I was accepted to UCLA Epi maybe a weekish ago, but it sounded like they do rolling admissions so I wouldn't lose hope! From the conversations I had with them, it really sounded like they were doing admissions in batches. Good luck!! Hopefully the waiting will be over soon!

I was contacted by a POI and we had a brief phone call, but I wouldn't call it an interview! It was really informal. I got the sense that not everyone has to interview to be accepted (but I am not totally sure how they do admissions).

I was contacted by a POI and we had a brief phone call, but I wouldn't call it an interview! It was really informal. I got the sense that not everyone has to interview to be accepted (but I am not totally sure how they do admissions).

Hi! I totally get how you feel the waiting right now is literally the worst. I was accepted to UCLA Epi maybe a weekish ago, but it sounded like they do rolling admissions so I wouldn't lose hope! From the conversations I had with them, it really sounded like they were doing admissions in batches. Good luck!! Hopefully the waiting will be over soon!

Hi! I totally get how you feel the waiting right now is literally the worst. I was accepted to UCLA Epi maybe a weekish ago, but it sounded like they do rolling admissions so I wouldn't lose hope! From the conversations I had with them, it really sounded like they were doing admissions in batches. Good luck!! Hopefully the waiting will be over soon!

Thank you!!!  Yes, I've been snooping around this thread for a while but said ahhh, finally a post I can actually contribute to ?  I'm very happy and excited. Wishing you the best of luck and extending grace and warmth to you as you wait to hear back from schools.

Hi! I totally get how you feel the waiting right now is literally the worst. I was accepted to UCLA Epi maybe a weekish ago, but it sounded like they do rolling admissions so I wouldn't lose hope! From the conversations I had with them, it really sounded like they were doing admissions in batches. Good luck!! Hopefully the waiting will be over soon!

Hi! I totally get how you feel the waiting right now is literally the worst. I was accepted to UCLA Epi maybe a weekish ago, but it sounded like they do rolling admissions so I wouldn't lose hope! From the conversations I had with them, it really sounded like they were doing admissions in batches. Good luck!! Hopefully the waiting will be over soon!