XXXXXXphd2021

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 was just accepted to the DrPH program at Hopkins as well!!! I'm stunned and so so excited!!

Congratulations!! I also just received an acceptance to hopkins and I'm in total shock. Maybe I'll see you at the admitted students day!

Congratulations to all my cohort peers at JHU! 
 
Just applied to 1 program and am over the top excited that I got in!! DrPH 2025 

CHECK YOUR HOPKINS PORTALS!!!! I’ve been admitted into the DrPH program. I can’t believe it omg. 

Got into Johns Hopkins DrPH!!!! So stoked!!!

I got in the DrPH program at Hopkins!!  This is my first acceptance!!  I'm beside myself!! ❤️

I was accepted to CUNY's PhD program in epi. I received 2 emails, one generic and the other from my interviewer. Still waiting to hear about funding/fellowships. I'm also waiting to hear back from Columbia (PhD epi). I think I would pick CUNY over Columbia anyways, but I need all the information before I make a decision.

I got into Tulane's DrPH program!!!!
I am so shocked and I am feeling so blessed! I got the news today around 4:30 and I'm still shook lol. I'm also really excited to potentially work with my advisor and be in NOLA - which is one of my favorite cities in the country.
Still waiting on 4 other schools: GW, Hopkins, BUSPH (interviewed), and Rutgers. Honestly, I'm just grateful to have gotten in somewhere. Every other decision will just be icing on the cake. Praying for options, but pretty happy with this one if it ends up being my only acceptance!
 

I'm in a similar boat. This is my test the water year and turns out water is boiling ?

I'm in a similar boat. This is my test the water year and turns out water is boiling ?

I was in shock and did not celebrate on the day of. But now I bought a bottle of champagne, and I am hoping that I will be able to go back home (Brazil) at least once before starting the program. 
Until then, I'm finishing my MPH in the summer, so I will be studying/working until the first week of August. 

Just received an offer from UoT IHPME! No funding info is attached. Anyone knows how does their funding process work?

I actually did save it:
 

Yale : 36k guaranteed for 5 years with a responsibility of 2 semester TAship Harvard: 36k guaranteed for 4 years with 1 semester TA responsibility (Hopeful2020PhD please correct me) Brown: 36K guaranteed for 5 years, but all semesters should be RA or TA from the first semester UCSF: almost 40k stipend for 4 years Hopkins: Just tuition is guaranteed for 4 years, if get funded, almost 24k per year Penn State Uni: 31k stipend (not sure about duration) Tulane: 25k per year (not sure about duration) UPenn: 34k per year (not sure about duration) Emory: >30k (not sure about duration) BU: >30k (not sure about duration) UofMinnesota: 24-25k (not sure about duration)  

I booked a trip to Hawaii in early March, I thought it would be either for celebration or for healing. Now that I am waitlisted, I guess it's for both LOL. I know travel/vacation is discouraged but I am vaccinated and this is much needed. 

I booked a trip to Hawaii in early March, I thought it would be either for celebration or for healing. Now that I am waitlisted, I guess it's for both LOL. I know travel/vacation is discouraged but I am vaccinated and this is much needed. 

I booked a trip to Hawaii in early March, I thought it would be either for celebration or for healing. Now that I am waitlisted, I guess it's for both LOL. I know travel/vacation is discouraged but I am vaccinated and this is much needed. 

I got into UNC Health Behavior too!! Over the moon, but I didn't get any funding or advisor info...just a generic email and acceptance letter. Assuming those details will be sent soonish?

Officially in at Yale EMD! My dream program, and I’m so excited!
This is my second time applying to PhD programs. The first time (2 years ago) I applied to like 11 schools... was accepted to a few, but none of my first choices, and none with great funding (UW was a love of mine, but couldn’t deal with their funding situation). I chose to get 2 years of additional experience in order to really clarify my interests and goals, and applied to only 4 schools this time (something I was really regretting like a month ago) but ones with better fit matches. Was accepted to 2/4, including my first choice! 
 
So for anyone who didn’t get into the program they wanted this year... don’t lose hope! Everything happens as it’s meant to!
Also will be declining by spot at BU Epi... so hopefully it goes to the person who asked about BU waitlist here last week  

I agree. I think the Fauci Effect is all too real and many people who were out in trenches of public health for years (like myself) are looking to retool for more prominent positions—which often require or prefer those with doctorates. Barring some large downside, I would not give up a spot in a program in the hopes that you’ll roll the dice and be even luckier next time. My grandma calls that “hustling backwards”  (and that’s not a good thing). 
Also, I see a lot of folks really focused on a brand name or a ranking. Forget that. Will this program get you to where you want to be (ie will your butt be working in a career of your choosing)? And will you be able to make an impact along the way? If the money is right and you’re answering “yes” to those questions, what more could you ask for? 

This year it's not just public health apps are up, many fields' apps are up (data science, clinical psy etc.). I read a whole thread of twitter discussions on this, which is quite interesting, some POIs said they have never seen this before, not even during the 2008s (and the 2008s apps were for sure up as well). It's definitely a combination of different things. From what I read, potential of economic recession (reduced opportunity cost for getting an advanced degree), increased interests in some fields e.g. public health, waiving GRE and no requirement for site visits for interviews (as some applicants might need to pay out of pocket e.g. for med schools), and ppl staying at home bc of covid lol. 
 
Also there are programs that don't really have as much a huge increase in apps. I know one of a great program still requires GRE (also not in a big city) and didn't have huge bump in epi apps. 
 

Hi all - I just heard back, and was admitted to UNC's PhD program in Health Behavior (first and only acceptance)! I'm wishing you all the best as you begin to hear back! 

I just got an email acceptance (no interview) to GW PhD Environmental Health in case anyone else is waiting for their response!

Received reply from the director, it's more about able/unable to secure funding for me, which comes no surprise as I'm an international student. I don't have my hopes up as other domestic students declining offers are probably not that relevant to my funding mechanism. 
Really love the program. Willing to reapply next year. After that reply I feel much better ?

Hi! I've been in contact with my PI from Tulane's epi program. He let me know they recommended me for admission but I haven't received an official offer letter yet. He just updated me that these will be sent out in 1-2 weeks. 
PS I didn't interview.