epi2be

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!

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. 

Has anyone heard from UNC PhD in epi program ? Does anyone if they conduct interviews? 

Hi! By no means am I qualified to give advice on this as this is my first time applying as well, but I had an interview last week and am happy to share that experience  It was relatively conversational, and the program (an Epi program) wanted me to emphasize why specifically that program over all the others is the perfect fit for me (this was asked a few times), how my previous research experiences have prepared me for a PhD, how the PhD will help me in my future goals (they wanted a really concrete answer to this), and also what quantitative training I have. Hope this helps! Trying not to freak out too much over here as we wait to hear more responses  

I so so soooooo appreciate this. Thanks a milli for sharing your experience, I figured it was mostly going to be things like this but wasn't sure if there were other q's I hadn't thought of. And I am sure it went well!! 
 
Also found this article from science mag which I'm sure everyone has seen... but I found it a helpful read! https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2019/02/ace-your-phd-program-interviews-prepare-answer-and-ask-these-key-questions

This helps a lot - you rock Epi2Be! It sounds like it wont be a grilling, and as long as we prepare well and can answer these key questions (and other similar "Why [program]" and "Why PhD?", we should be in good shape. 

Hi! By no means am I qualified to give advice on this as this is my first time applying as well, but I had an interview last week and am happy to share that experience  It was relatively conversational, and the program (an Epi program) wanted me to emphasize why specifically that program over all the others is the perfect fit for me (this was asked a few times), how my previous research experiences have prepared me for a PhD, how the PhD will help me in my future goals (they wanted a really concrete answer to this), and also what quantitative training I have. Hope this helps! Trying not to freak out too much over here as we wait to hear more responses  

Hi! By no means am I qualified to give advice on this as this is my first time applying as well, but I had an interview last week and am happy to share that experience  It was relatively conversational, and the program (an Epi program) wanted me to emphasize why specifically that program over all the others is the perfect fit for me (this was asked a few times), how my previous research experiences have prepared me for a PhD, how the PhD will help me in my future goals (they wanted a really concrete answer to this), and also what quantitative training I have. Hope this helps! Trying not to freak out too much over here as we wait to hear more responses  

Hi! By no means am I qualified to give advice on this as this is my first time applying as well, but I had an interview last week and am happy to share that experience  It was relatively conversational, and the program (an Epi program) wanted me to emphasize why specifically that program over all the others is the perfect fit for me (this was asked a few times), how my previous research experiences have prepared me for a PhD, how the PhD will help me in my future goals (they wanted a really concrete answer to this), and also what quantitative training I have. Hope this helps! Trying not to freak out too much over here as we wait to hear more responses  

I know this may not help with anxiety but I'll share the info. I was accepted into a DrPH program last year and rejected at some. Now that I've started the program it's very clear that it was the best fit for me, which is why I got in.
Interviews are not a reliable measure of acceptance. Some people get accepted without interviews. Some programs say they aren't required but they interview everyone anyway. It's just hard to know so don't torture yourself by guessing.
One year ago this week I was OBSESSIVELY hitting refresh on my phone looking for news about my applications. I told myself it was bad for my mental health but I couldn't resist. I really wish I let it go and wait for the response to come to me without obsessing over it.
I was on the trip of a lifetime in late February, at the literal end of the Earth in Ushuaia, Argentina. And yet every time I got service I hit refresh on my applications. I got one rejection during that time. I let this take some really good days from me where I wish I was enjoying myself more.
I returned, just as the pandemic was hitting the US. Work got turned upside down and then I got a wonderful acceptance.
I'm not going to offer platitudes of "let it go and what will happen, will happen." I will just say that obsessing doesn't change the outcome, it only makes the process more painful for you. If you can, truly let it go when you can no longer control the outcome. 
Good luck!

Congratulations!  You must feel so relieved.  Perhaps I'll experience relief...someday.  ?

I just got admitted into UTHealth DrPH in Community Health Practice program! ? Let's hope they giving some scholarship money too!

Just got an interview invitation for UW Global Health! Still so shocked, definitely felt like a reach program for me! 

Current HSPH epi student...Each track sends out their own interview invites, scattered across a few weeks. I can't speak to all tracks, but I was not interviewed by my advisor. During the interview I was asked about my research interests, what I was working on (including the methodological considerations for those projects and the implications of my findings), and why Harvard was the right fit for me. It was realy casual and conversational.  

@epi2be I'm having my interview for Harvard epi on Tuesday. Have you finished the interview? Is so, would you mind sharing what it was like? Also, would you mind sharing the track you're applying to and the initials of the faculty member who contacted you? I'm just curious whether we're all contacted by the same faculty member or potential PI (I'm applying to methods track and faculty is AB). NO NEED to answer if you don't feel comfortable!! Thanks!

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows how many people the Harvard PHS PhD program interviews in relation to how many people they accept? Thank you! I hope everyone is managing to somehow stay calm through this anxiety inducing time! 

I applied too, but haven't heard back. Would you mind telling me whether your application status still says "Submitted" in GSAS? Or has it changed to another status such as "Under Review"? I am anxiously overanalyzing....  

I just (20 minutes ago) received an invitation to interview for the UCSF Global Health Sciences PhD in two weeks!

I received an interview invite from Harvard Population Health Sciences (Epidemiology) PhD today. Has anyone already gone through the interview? It's my first one so feeling a bit anxious about it!

Has anyone heard from Hopkins or Columbia re: Epi PhDs? 

Hi everyone! Congratulations to everyone for making it through submitting our apps! I was recently offered an interview with Harvard for the Population Health Sciences PhD. Does anyone have any advice for the interview? This will be my first PhD interview. Thank you!

Hi everyone! Congratulations to everyone for making it through submitting our apps! I was recently offered an interview with Harvard for the Population Health Sciences PhD. Does anyone have any advice for the interview? This will be my first PhD interview. Thank you!

Hi everyone! Congratulations to everyone for making it through submitting our apps! I was recently offered an interview with Harvard for the Population Health Sciences PhD. Does anyone have any advice for the interview? This will be my first PhD interview. Thank you!

Hi everyone! Congratulations to everyone for making it through submitting our apps! I was recently offered an interview with Harvard for the Population Health Sciences PhD. Does anyone have any advice for the interview? This will be my first PhD interview. Thank you!

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?