VBD

Yeah, they calculate the lower division and upper division courses oddly. I took some graduate level courses as a sophomore, but they counted that as lower division. I was just so fed up with them. I didn't realize we could call them and argue the details of our GPA though. My GPA's ended up being lower by .1 or .2 Good on you for arguing with them.

Well I was sort of hoping that it would be like something collected for statistical purposes. They ask applicants for their race/ethnicity, but that doesn't become a factor in deciding to admit applicants. *sigh* I was worried about applying to two of the same schools as I did last year. However, while they are the same school, they are different programs/departments (which the application didn't ask for) mainly because I realized that I was really a poor fit for the original program choices. So when they asked "Have you applied to our school in previous years?" I was like Yes, but I wish I could explain more to show that it's kind of a No. Thanks for the honest answers though

-waves at fellow Environmental health infectious disease lover!- I'm not sure if this is counted as "started somewhere else" but here is where some of the PhD's in public health are posting our program wish list, though no stats are in the thread. Yay public health! We may be few in numbers but we make up for it in.. something!

I want to point out that what they really want to see is some experience and passion for the field, which can sometimes be conflated with age. Public health is such a unique interdisciplinary field that people can come from all walks of life (and very different experiences), and I think MPH adcoms look for that. My program had probably 50% or more of the enrolled students as those who were not matriculating straight from undergrad. A good amount of the students were those who took a few years off before trying for MPH's. The oldest in my class was 45, having completed his MD and a private practice but wanted to come back and shift his career, and he was not an outlier. So I would say it's a positive, and you could try to spin it that way on your SOP. Good luck.

I'm sure people who've gotten interview offers or are hoping for them are planning what to say, and what to do to make a good impression. However, not everything will happen the way you want it to. Last year, I went on three interview weekends, and unfavorable scenarios happened. Let's have a compilation of the scenarios and how to overcome it for those extra cautious people. Basically, upon reading these, realize that it can't get worse, but you have a way to overcome it and not lose your head in the middle of the interview. Yay not losing your head! Bad scenario: I went to an interview in the south of US, having lived and pursued two degrees in the Northeast. The interview was in February. I know I have pollen allergies, but decided not to bring it on the visit since, there's no flowers blooming that early. Wrong. The minute I landed, I started sneezing. I was pulling through it ok, until my third interview of the day (next to last one) during which I sneezed and blood came out. Cue my interviewer's horrified face at my sudden nose bleed. There was still 15 mins of the 20 min interview left. What I did: I quickly grabbed tissues from my pocket (pre-prepared, yay!) and held it to my nose. I asked him if he wanted to continue. He agreed, and we finished the interview with me speaking in a slightly nasally voice. (Feel free to laugh, I'm laughing =D) Luckily it stopped before my next interview. After the weekend, I sent an email apologizing to the interviewer for scaring him. He sent back an email laughing it off. Yay --- Bad scenario: I had sent the interview weekend coordinator a list of POI's I would like to talk to. When I got my syllabus, half the people were not even close to my research interest. (They were in HIV stuff, I was interested in water-borne diseases) What I did: I'm still not sure if I handled this right. I had some questions about the general program that I asked them. I asked a little on their research (I looked up some of their work). But I tried to steer the conversation to MY experience and how I could benefit their department. Feel free to comment on what I could have done better. Maybe we could generate a better set of questions to ask an interview who's not your POI? --- Bad scenario: A POI I really wanted to interview with at the interview weekend. Backed out an hour before all the events were about to start. The coordinator asked me to meet with a random professor. The interview was awkward at the beginning, since he wasn't expecting me as well. What I did: Ease the tension with a light joke. He laughed, and then with a more relaxed atmosphere, I asked him how he wanted to get started, did he want me to talk about myself. Delighted at my giving him an out, he said sure and we talked about my research for the full time. Also, I had been carrying extra copies of my CV just in case, so I was able to pass them to him and he could generate questions as we went. --- Bad scenario: I really liked the work of this POI and had a lot of questions to ask him. Unfortunately, he's a bit of a curmudgeon. Upon asking him about X project. He interjected really quickly and said he wasn't doing that anymore (I was confused since the paper I was citing was from 2011). I then asked him about his other projects, and he gave extremely curt answers (ie. Not sure. Yes. No. Ask someone else.) I asked him if he wanted to know more about my research. He said No. What I did: Yeah, I really don't think I handled this well. The interview ended awkwardly, and I'm pretty sure I failed to make a positive impression. So perhaps, I need to think of a good way to end a horrible interview on a good note. --- I hope this doesn't make anyone more nervous about upcoming invites. >.<

I've gotten an in-person interview at UNC invite. Uncovered, but I'll happily take it. Silence from everyone else. I agree with you on the trickling. In general, programs seem to be getting out Masters first? Seems like biostats are coming out too.

For those who can't get past the odd introduction, here is a website where someone critiques "Dr" Hovind's thesis :http://www.noanswersingenesis.org.au/bartelt_dissertation_on_hovind_thesis.htm

I was actually going to apply to UMD and stopped before finishing my first part of the application (both POIs indicated that there was not a good fit) I got one email from UMD as a reminder, and nothing else. I really think you ARE on the wrong list. *gives virtual cookies for consolation* ALSO, for those who want to log into more than one applyweb, use incognito mode (ctrl+shirt+n) for Chrome users, private browsing for Firefox users, or Inprivate for IE users. Then you can have two windows up at the same time. I might be late with this tip though >.<;; Well, at least you had the UCLA person on your side. I sincerely think the support people are there to make things difficult to us. When my support person essentially lied to me about their document uploading issue, I asked for her name and then tried to take a complaint to a supervisor (I usually ask for the supervisor to tell them their worker did a great job, it makes for better promotions for them, but not this time) and got put on hold for a long time until I just gave up and hung up. You go! Way to not give up!

The quant section always has these answers that you think are right at first glance, but in reality are trick answers. So if you're breezing through these questions, you might be falling into the trap. Before you move on to a question, pause for a few beats and think through the problem logically. Some questions may be able to be answered in a few seconds, but not a lot of them. Pause. Let your brain catch up.

Berkeley also had an application in addition to the SOPHAS. And the application went into more detailed fin aid items than other applications D: I experienced time delay getting the exact numbers of my financials. But don't let me get started on SOPHAS. They have so many transgressions, even lowering my GPA according to THEIR calculations. Which they won't explain. Right. Uploading of documents which cannot be taken back once you submit for one school (contrary to what their own support people claim on the phone), and their sad, sad processing time. I was most annoyed at Emory's video part. My computer microphone just would not work (it works for Skype, and Google Hangout.. so what is happening), and I couldn't advance past that page. I ended up recording my excited muted video with my script posted in their written section. So who ever looks at my application must think I'm an odd PhD- aspiring mime or something.. >.>

I'm not really sure what you mean. I knew going in that I was weak with being fast and accurate at stuff like rates and percent changes, so I made sure to focus on that. So for you, you'd have to look over your past practice tests and see which sections you tended to spend a lot of time laboring over (keeping in mind some problems are designed to take a little more time than other) or missed. Then, practice those types. If you want, you can make the decision to change strategy and review after that particular section rather than all the questions at the end, but again, caveats with that strategy. If you are asking which prep books helped with refining my section weaknesses, I used stuff like Kaplan's workbook since they broke up into concepts. However, I am not endorsing buying prep books. Also, some people just don't take to the methods of certain books. Check your local library though.

Hello fellow live at home-er! I AM you in this case, except I graduated last May. Just a note some job positions, even as lab techs can take several weeks, months to get hired. Then again, there's always that super quick hire story.. So I've tried option 2, and I actually got a job offer, problem is, they only wanted people who could sign a binding contract of at least one year. I had to make a decision, do I take the short term job which allows me to use basic skills afforded to me by my degree, and a chance of improving my qualities as a graduate student applicant, or do I refuse the job (since it started in Dec/Jan, obvious time conflict with the grad cycle) and go for broke on the grad app that I worked on for a very long time. I chose to go for broke. If you pick option 2, you may very well have to make a similar decision. (I may be stupid to have done this, who knows, only time --and the adcomms -- may tell). If you truly want a job, I'd say go for option 1. Option 2 is not worth the headache of potential hard decision time (making a decision during the waiting period can be hard, especially with gripping paranoia), the cost of moving and finding a place nearby, etc. Alternatively, you would try for internships - perhaps they'd be more forgiving, you'd get relevant experience, but no money. :s Also, and most importantly, You are not a bum Negativity may be all round, but you have to realize that even qualified people with masters degree take months to get their first job. This is not a new phenomena, but it has been increasing in today's financial situation. A bum is someone who seeks to solely live off others. That's not you. You're seeking to be an independent graduate student. Are you currently being helped by your parents? Yes. But are you failing at life? A loud and resounding NO. You have a dream and you are pursuing it, with the help of loving parents (go on, hug them, they sound awesome). Right now, you've done the best you could, sending in apps on time, and keeping some of your sanity, and now you have to wait. But please don't fall into depression D:

You know, I suddenly got to wondering this yesterday. Some of my applications asked if this was a first time applying. Did you guys have that on your apps? Do you think that impacts the application?

LORs play a pretty big impact, at least in my field. To avoid LOR-related stress during this time: A. Organize Organize Organize! I had a google spreadsheet to share with my LORs with the school, program name, POI, website links (or whether the applyweb, or whatever site sends an email) and the deadline date. If you update your short list, email the LORs of the update. Some LORs were even able to point out that they've met x POI and y POI at q conference, etc. which can be helpful. B. Echoing that post graduation, keep in contact with the LORs you plan to ask. I felt so dirty for asking one LOR that I didn't really keep in contact. It felt like I was using him, and he noted that he had forgottten some of what I did, so I engaged in a quick phone chat refresher. C. When you ask you LOR about their willingness to write a postive letter ask if they want to set up a reminder system. One of my LOR was absent-minded and self-aware of that, and was happy I asked him about that. The system we set up was I would email him a reminder every Monday night until he did it. And you know what? He was the first LOR to turn one in for me. Yay. Echoing another section: POI: A. Contact more than one POI at the program of interest prior to applying. It may be the case that the POI would LOVE to have you, but cannot due to funding. The second POI would save you. I had made sure that for each of my programs, I had at least 2, sometimes 3 POI's I could see myself working with in the future. And I contacted each of them. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Am I sure of my fit at each of the 8 programs I applied to? A loud and resounding YES. B. Don't be dismayed if a POI ignores you, perhaps you contacted them when they were at a conference. Find out if your program has a grad student coordinator or some intermediary position (someone who works with the professor) I was able to do this and the coordinator reminded the busy POI about my email, and I got an extremely positive response this time! C. Read the POI's publications. It's a bit of a warning sign if there is a huge space between publications than usually warranted for your studies. A friend (who's already in grad school, the lucky duck!) got a POI in the biomedical sciences who has not published since 2007 but was really personable. Had she asked around she would have found that this POI had a personality problem that drove away most of his lab, including the lab tech. As a UG - take advantage of summer opportunities. Yes, it could be fun to vacay with your friends at W place, but that can wait, at least get some experience for one summer. Also take time to research what kind of job you would like, and the degree needed to get that job. I've had peers who applied to PhD programs but found out that all they needed was an MS to do her dream job. It would save you time, money, and peace of mind. Cheers.

You can feel free to ignore this comment, but when I was considering applying to two program at the same school, I was advised by their admissions manager that this would actually weaken my applications for both program and basically told me to pick the program with the best fit. However this unspoken policy may be only at that specific school. So why not just shoot an email (or if there is a time crunch, call) the admissions people and ask if that is the case (and ask them about multiple applications) Would doing it on two applications make the LOR business difficult? It would have been an issue for me if I had followed through with my original plan.

In general, iowaguy's advice is great. I would like to note that in addition to (or instead of, depending on your time availability) studying around bedtime, you should get used to studying/running practice tests around the time of your schedule exam day, so your brain is more "prepared" come the big day. If you feel like you're missing questions peppered throughout the various sections, why not review after each section, instead of all at once? Granted this strategy may make you run out of time at the end (or make you feel like you are so you rush. Rushing is bad.), so choose this strategy only if you think it necessary and after practicing it a couple of times. Good luck!

I'm not surprised you had that, ion_exchanger. One professor (the head of his dept/program I was applying) was surprised that I did so much work for one of my projects, and spent a good ten minutes asking which input variable I used in the statistics analysis, why did I not use this regression method, (keep in mind I was NOT applying for a statistics program), why not test this x-related phenomenon, etc. It felt like I was defending my master's thesis ahead of time. x_x I hope this isn't that common though, since it was unnerving to an already nervous me. But if it is, I would say going over your past projects would be a good idea.

I was definitely similarly concerned about the classes and lack of a back-up POI. We do have a phone conversation/interview planned, and formal interview invites from the program can come in 2 weeks or so (so says the results survey) so I will have at least one (hopefully two) opportunity to "feel" out the pros/cons of the three different programs. I was not, however, sure how to personally tell him and decline his suggestion of changing programs. Thanks for the advice.

Excellent. You guys have been fantastic in detailing the difference between the fields of study. I appreciate it and now I can happily answer that question for friends who just won't settle for a simple answer. Thank you so much for the help!

Ah, I wish I knew about this when I was in undergrad! This sounds insanely fun! Shame there's no program for people post-masters. D:

Hello, this may be an odd question. Someone asked me this today, and I could not answer adequately. I am applying for Environmental Science in various schools of public health. Different schools go by different names for this study, such as Environmental Science and Engineering (at UNC-School of Public Health) as an example. Someone today asked me what's the difference between applying for an Environmental Science program (at a school of Public Health) versus an Environmental Science program (through say a school of graduate studies). I was thinking the answer lies in funding source or different job placement opportunities? Perhaps there's a more emphasis on health related issues? Thanks for your two cents on this, I just don't want to incorrectly answer because I'm not too sure about your fields.

Hello! Applying for PhD programs in environmental health, so I guess I'm a little different from everyone here. I applied to BU, Columbia, JHU, UNC, Emory, UIC, Univ of Washington, and Berkeley. To answer the earlier question about applying sans Masters. Maybe programs have an unspoken rule at admissions, but the only school I heard people suspected was Emory. Basically, if you are applying without a Masters, you should be fine with the loads of research you've done - or so I was told. I'm muddling through this like everyone else. Did anyone else nerd out like me and read the ASPH admissions report for 2010? xD

How about a twist on the original prompt? I emailed a POI asking about his research in program x. He responded back with enthusiasm and wanted to talk to me over the phone. In the same email, almost as an addendeum, he noted that it is competitive for program X since they only accept a small number of students per year. He indicated that he is affiliated with programs y and z and referred me to look at them. Programs y and Z would force me to take "core" grad courses in fields in which I am completely clueless. Furthermore, if this POI didn't work out (down the road), I would have no aligning interests with other faculty in programs y and z. He didn't mention funding, so I'm not sure if he had other reasons to refer other programs...So additional thoughts?

I'm not a Twitter-er(? Tweeter? I don't know what is the name for a Twitter user), but is there a strong academia presence on Twitter? I was under the impression that Twitter was for celebrities and the like. Then again, a bigwig in your field of study is a bit like a celebrity...

Same. Except I get engineering ones, Which is odd, since I've never expressed interest in engineering except for when I took the PSAT (I was deluded, thinking I could be a BME major) back in high school :s The plot thickens. I got a similar email from BU yesterday too. There was a moment of trembling excitement, followed by opening the email and realizing I've been had. I wonder if they just troll all their applicants, no matter which program, Ha. x_x