nervousphd2021

As we go through the waiting process in solidarity, let's remember these roots once we become PIs, health officials, leaders, etc.. and remind ourselves that students' time is VALUABLE and that it is in our best interest to respond to them in a timely matter, just like we will to our eventual colleagues and supervisors. I really really hope they extend the acceptance for funding deadlines beyond April 15th just because there are so many (like myself) still waiting to hear back and it doesn't seem fair to not even let us know if we are on an informal waitlist at least, while only giving us a few days to a week to make arguably one of the biggest decisions of our lives.
 
Good luck to anyone else still waiting and for those deciding, no pressure but there are many anxious folks waiting to take a spot for offers you defer!

Writing to the anonymous forum universe. Oh man, I just want to virtually hug everyone. This wait and uncertainty is torture. Hang in there, everybody. Hopefully we all know what our future holds realllllly soon.
 
 

I appreciate how warm and encouraging folks in this forum are! Last year, I was devastated when I was rejected from Every.Single. Program that I applied to. I just wanted to share my experience with everyone, especially those who have not heard from any of the programs they applied to.
After receiving all the rejections, I took some time to reflect on ways to improve my application while pursuing other public health opportunities that I was interested in. I ended up consulting for two local organizations in my country on some really cool projects. And fortunately for me, things picked up at work due to COVID, and I ended up gaining more responsibilities and experience (I work in International development btw).
Last year, I applied to 6 schools. This time around, I applied to 7. I thoroughly researched the schools I was interested in and spoke to numerous faculty and current students. I typed up every answer they gave to my questions and read through them when I was writing my personal statement. This was extremely helpful to tailor my statement to each of the schools that I applied to. I revised my personal statement from last year and wove the past year's experience in the essay. I also understood what I wanted to research better, and I believe the time I spent reflecting on how to improve my applications was the cause. I listened to podcasts, watched YouTube videos, and stalked the faculty members' Twitter accounts I was interested in. It also helped to see what they were interested in and really understand their areas of expertise.
So far, I have been accepted to two programs without interviews (Temple University & OHSU). And I have also been interviewed for UMD, Duke and Vanderbilt. This is all to say, hang in there! Don't give up! If a PhD is what you want, and you didn't get into any programs this year, remember the wise words of Aaliyah: 
If at first you don't succeed
(First you don't succeed)
Then dust yourself off and try again
You can dust if off and try again, try again
Also, if y'all have "academic" Twitter accounts, I'd love to follow you. It would be nice to have this community when pursuing my PhD studies, and I would also love to help folks when they submit new applications. My Twitter handle is @nana_add0 ?.

Me getting notifications thinking it's individuals receiving favorable decisions: ?
Me actually seeing what is going on: ?

Even my patience has limits. Take a break.

Salam fellow applicants,
I was hoping to get a jump on the methods courses I’ll be taking in Fall, and wanted to do a small behavioral study among public health applicants who use Grad Cafe. Please answer the following questions as honestly as possible:
(1) Do you identify as something other than male or female?
(2) Do you engage in high-intensity anaerobic exercise 90 minutes or more per week?
(3) Do you post on social media about your diet once or more per week?
(4) Do you refer to strangers on the internet as “sweetie”, “sweet summer child”, or some related permutation once or more per week?
(5) Was your undergraduate degree in a non-STEM field? For sake of this questionnaire, we define STEM as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, exercise physiology, nutritional sciences, or engineering. 
Thank you for your input! Have a blessed (non-denominational of course) day! 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Me getting notifications thinking it's individuals receiving favorable decisions: ?
Me actually seeing what is going on: ?

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Me getting notifications thinking it's individuals receiving favorable decisions: ?
Me actually seeing what is going on: ?

Me getting notifications thinking it's individuals receiving favorable decisions: ?
Me actually seeing what is going on: ?

Me getting notifications thinking it's individuals receiving favorable decisions: ?
Me actually seeing what is going on: ?

Me getting notifications thinking it's individuals receiving favorable decisions: ?
Me actually seeing what is going on: ?

Me getting notifications thinking it's individuals receiving favorable decisions: ?
Me actually seeing what is going on: ?

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

So you’re aware that applying as an Asian student puts you at a disadvantage, through no fault of your own. Yet you’d abdicate your position because of ... skin color?
Look don’t take this the wrong way, but are you applying because you want to apply? That entire block of text sounds like someone is forcing you to apply and you’d be pleased to not get picked up. 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Salam fellow applicants,

Boo as you must to keep up appearances, but you know I’m right. This saccharine charade of camaraderie holds no purpose; consider, once the utility of this board has ceased, nary another thought of it you’ll have. Unless, of course, you’re that one person from the 2020 cycle in attendance, ostensibly, to inform anonymous strangers that s/he attends Brown. Have you tried sneaking into undergraduate Zooms to inform them of your lofty status?
The fact of the matter is, I’ll take a spot from some of you, and some of you will take a spot from me. That is how a scarcity of resources works. Pretending otherwise is just as useful as the urinating contest known as “stat posting”. 
Pardon my language, but blowing sunshine into each other’s assholes isn’t the psychotherapy you think it is. 
Have a nice day! Hugs and kisses!

 
 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Nice turnaround time! They’re doing something right over there. 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5
 
 

Accepted into Penn State's DrPH program. Applied 1/5