Fall 2011 applications - anyone out there?

[periepi2011]

Is anyone out there currently working on public health applications? So many of the public health threads are old, old, OLD!

I'm just getting started on the full application process: SoP, polishing the CV, approaching colleagues for recommendations, etc.

I'm also trying to decide how many schools to apply to. Right now, my list is pretty long: Hopkins, Harvard, UNC-Chapel Hill, UofW, Emory, Columbia, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, and UBC, and is largely based on rank/prestige of the schools. Should I narrow my focus? Or, are these schools so competitive that it makes sense to apply this many?

Ultimately, I want a phd in epidemiology with a focus on perinatal care/maternal child health in the US &/or Canada. I don't yet have one clearly defined project, though I do have a well-defined focus area within perinatal epi: policy & practice to study models of care that support physiologic pregnancy and birth. Some schools allow you to apply to phd without a master's (e.g. jhu, emory), others don't (harvard, UW). So, it is likely that I will be applying to some masters programs and some phd programs depending on the school. And, beyond that, I will be applying to some MPH programs and some MHSc programs, again, depending on the specifics of the school...

My basic background:

3.85 GPA (on 4.3 scale) in a semi-related field from Canadian university

3 years of research experience in a university setting, first as RA, then Research coordinator

I'm an author on approx 6 articles, and more presentations

1440 GRE: 770Q, 670V, 5.5AW

Will I be in the running for these top schools??

How many schools are other people applying to? Which schools? With what kind of qualifications? Any thoughts on applying directly to phd without a master's? What about applying to both phd and master's at the same school? Will that come across as unfocused?

Any advice/comments would be great!

[adaptations]

I'm not a public health applicant, but a lot of my friends were last year, and some might be this year (but they haven't starting using gradcafe yet). My thought is that applying to nine schools is perfectly reasonable, especially since some are PhDs and some are masters (I think I'll be applying to 15). Given your credentials, I have no doubt that you'll be in the running at these schools, but it is hard to tell your chances at any given school, especially when only looking at your basic stats. Best of luck - and I'm sure your public health friends will join the forum soon - things always pic up in September/October.

[salome]

Is anyone out there currently working on public health applications? So many of the public health threads are old, old, OLD!

I'm just getting started on the full application process: SoP, polishing the CV, approaching colleagues for recommendations, etc.

I'm also trying to decide how many schools to apply to. Right now, my list is pretty long: Hopkins, Harvard, UNC-Chapel Hill, UofW, Emory, Columbia, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, and UBC, and is largely based on rank/prestige of the schools. Should I narrow my focus? Or, are these schools so competitive that it makes sense to apply this many?

Ultimately, I want a phd in epidemiology with a focus on perinatal care/maternal child health in the US &/or Canada. I don't yet have one clearly defined project, though I do have a well-defined focus area within perinatal epi: policy & practice to study models of care that support physiologic pregnancy and birth. Some schools allow you to apply to phd without a master's (e.g. jhu, emory), others don't (harvard, UW). So, it is likely that I will be applying to some masters programs and some phd programs depending on the school. And, beyond that, I will be applying to some MPH programs and some MHSc programs, again, depending on the specifics of the school...

My basic background:

3.85 GPA (on 4.3 scale) in a semi-related field from Canadian university

3 years of research experience in a university setting, first as RA, then Research coordinator

I'm an author on approx 6 articles, and more presentations

1440 GRE: 770Q, 670V, 5.5AW

Will I be in the running for these top schools??

How many schools are other people applying to? Which schools? With what kind of qualifications? Any thoughts on applying directly to phd without a master's? What about applying to both phd and master's at the same school? Will that come across as unfocused?

Any advice/comments would be great!

[salome]

Sorry for that blank reply--apparently, I don't know how to use this system! I'm applying to MPH, MPP/MPA and one PhD program this fall, with a focus on health policy. My background/stats are pretty similar to yours. I have no idea if we have a shot at the top PhD programs, but my impression is that research experience will really help. One of my former coworkers applied directly to a PhD program in public health, with her work/research experience substituting for a Master's, and is currently a grad student at WUSTL. So I figure we might as well go for it. I'm curious about your publications--are these in peer-reviewed journals? Mine are policy briefs printed and distributed by the research organization at which I worked, so I'm not sure if they "count." Thoughts? As background, all were produced with funding from an agency under the US Dept. of Health and Human Services and this agency has them posted to its website.

In terms of how competitive these programs are, I'm in the same boat of not really knowing. From what I've read on other message boards, MPH programs aren't as selective as other professional degrees programs (i.e. law school), but besides Columbia, most schools don't seem to post much information on who they accept from the standpoint of GPA, GRE scores, etc.

Anyway, good luck!!!! Just wanted to let you know someone else is out there, although I don't know if my comments really answered your questions...

[matilda]

I am here!!!!!

[socialepi]

You have some great stats and I think you will be a competitive applicant. Some general thoughts:

- 9 is not an unreasonable number of schools to be applying to. I applied to a similar number last year (a combination of various masters and PhD programs) and am glad that I did but it was EXPENSIVE (around $600 total) and so time consuming when you account for researching all the schools, talking to professors I would want to work with, and dealing with all the paperwork

- Talk to professors - I think the fact that I reached out to several professors at each of the schools I was interested in and made an effort to visit if I could really made a difference in my chances. After all, they are looking for people to help them do their research. It's always a good idea to let them know that you want to work with them and to put a face or voice with a name so they can vouch for you come decision time.

- Consider applying to a range of programs - I found that the MsPH and other variations on the Masters of Science degree to be good alternatives to the MPH. Not only are they less competitive, they are more researched based, and you won't have to take the required MPH course (e.g., health behavior, environmental health...) that is unless you want to. If the PhD is what you're ultimately after, the professional degree (i.e. MPH) is going to be less important. Most MS degrees also either require or allow for a practicum so there is not need to have it written into the requirements of your degree. I did not apply to multiple programs within a school.

- If you do end up getting a MS/MPH first, consider getting it at the school that you ultimately want to get your PhD at. Most schools have their own way of teaching methods, and if you switch schools, you'll have to take these first year classes over again.

In terms of your schools:

- I'm pretty sure Hopkins, Emory, Columbia, and UW do not let you apply directly into the epi PhD program without a masters first. At Columbia, most of the PhD students do not come directly out of the MPH program, meaning they work for a few years and then come back or come from different masters programs. At UW, the transition is pretty fluid and you can apply after your first year I believe.

- Harvard says that they don't accept epi PhD students unless they have a master's first, but I know someone who did get in so maybe this is a possibility?

- UNC will allow you to apply without a masters through their MsPH/PhD epi program

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

[matilda]

Is anyone out there currently working on public health applications? So many of the public health threads are old, old, OLD! - I am working on my application right now, and I applied to as many schools as you did.

I'm just getting started on the full application process: SoP, polishing the CV, approaching colleagues for recommendations, etc.

I'm also trying to decide how many schools to apply to. Right now, my list is pretty long: Hopkins, Harvard, UNC-Chapel Hill, UofW, Emory, Columbia, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, and UBC, and is largely based on rank/prestige of the schools. Should I narrow my focus? Or, are these schools so competitive that it makes sense to apply this many? - Actually, I applied to the first 6 you mentioned, plus BU and Uni.Texas. I don't know why, I just found their program to suit me. The last two are not as name sound as the first couple of, but still, my education in public health is zero, so anything would help.

Ultimately, I want a phd in epidemiology with a focus on perinatal care/maternal child health in the US &/or Canada. I don't yet have one clearly defined project, though I do have a well-defined focus area within perinatal epi: policy & practice to study models of care that support physiologic pregnancy and birth. Some schools allow you to apply to phd without a master's (e.g. jhu, emory), others don't (harvard, UW). So, it is likely that I will be applying to some masters programs and some phd programs depending on the school. And, beyond that, I will be applying to some MPH programs and some MHSc programs, again, depending on the specifics of the school... I am doing a malpractice and adverse events research. I have e well defined focus on ADR and AE. I have a BSc in chemistry and MA in chemistry. Doing my MSC Pharm right now. I never took a GRE. I found UNC to be very approachable. Harvard - barely. But, I assume that they have so many students wanting to go there, that they havehigh standards because of it.

How many schools are other people applying to? Which schools? With what kind of qualifications? Any thoughts on applying directly to phd without a master's? What about applying to both phd and master's at the same school? Will that come across as unfocused? - I never did reserach in PH. I did it with my revious diplomas, like Chemistry research. I would never apply to a PhD without Masters, simply because I ma not confident enough. I know a lot, but I need to do more research. From my experience, try to work first. Then you will realize what really grabs your attention. I did that. And then I realized that PH is my vocation.

Any advice/comments would be great!

[periepi2011]

Thanks so much for all the responses. Sorry for my delayed reply!

Socialepi - your comments are very helpful - thank you!

I am very relieved to know that I seem like a competitive applicant - it's hard to know what the chances are like when many applicants have good stats, relevant experience, etc. I suppose that is the main idea behind applying to so many schools. I am still going for 9 schools, but am now applying to BU and not UCLA. now that i am more fully into the application process, i understand how much coordination and work it takes to apply to so many schools - and, yes, also expensive! tailoring personal statements to 9 schools is a lot! but it's coming together...hope to have the first one done this weekend (to give my references a month to write letters before dec 1 deadlines). For the most part, I am going to apply only to master's programs. There are 1 or 2 schools with later deadlines that theoretically accept direct to phd applicants. If I can swing it, I will apply to those. If not, I will be happy to go to master's programs and transition to phd when that is feasible.

The next point of stress for me is making contact with professors at each school. Do people just cold call? or 'cold email'? I would assume that you just send a paragraph describing your interest and why you think you could be a match with the professor...any other tips??

to answer your question, salome: my publications range. i am an author on 2 peer-reviewed articles, i am listed in the acknowledgments for another 2 (any idea how to mention those??), i am an author on 2 articles that are in the review process now, and then 3 policy brief/reports... Then, i'm an author on about 10 presentations at professional conferences. I divided the publications in my CV by type (peer-reviewed, other publications, etc). Hope that's helpful.

how far along are you guys in the application process??

[zjwah]

I'm in the same boat! I'm applying for 6 schools (it was 8, but I ruled out Yale and U of Mich at the beginning of my application process). Now I'm applying to UCLA, WashU (my first choice, keeping my fingers crossed), UC Berkeley, UNC-Chapel Hill, Hopkins, and U of Pittsburgh for a mix of PhD/MS in Epi programs (my focus is in noncommunicable disease epi, specifically cancer epi).

To me, you seem like a competitive candidate. So the best of luck to you.

Right now, I'm finishing up my applications. All that remains is polishing my SOPs for each of the schools, and completing the Hopkins and UNC applications. I'm in the process of making a list of professors to contact, and do exactly what you mentioned (describe my interests, etc).

I'll let you know my stats if you want, but I didn't want to take over your thread! Good luck with your applications!!

[periepi2011]

Thanks, zjwah.

yes, please do share your stats if you don't mind - i don't want this thread to be about me, but about all of us in this boat right now!

wow - sounds like you're quite far along in the application process - well done! if you don't mind my asking, what drew you to UPittsburgh? otherwise, i think it's interesting how much overlap we have in schools given our different interests within epi. i bet that is common in this field, since the list of clear 'stand out' schools is quite obvious, or so it seems to me. why is WashU your first choice? location, prestige, a specific prof?

what kind of cancer epi are you interested in? (this is somewhat of a personal interest for me after some family experience with cancer, but not a professional/academic interest).

have you talked to professors at any of the schools, or will you do that all in one step next? are you going to send in your applications now, or closer to their deadlines?

how did it go for you to get letters of rec? are they already submitted, or are you still waiting?

sorry for all the questions, i think my head is swimming with all this right now!

good luck to you also. sounds like you're on the right track!

[zjwah]

Hi periepi2011,

For U of Pittsburgh, it was on my list of around 25 schools to look into. A friend of mine is from PA and he told me that the school itself is rather good, and PIttsburgh is becoming a very nice place to live. The SPH also has two centers related to a secondary interest of mine: healthy aging. That was also a selling point.

I'm mainly interested in ovarian cancer. And my interest comes from personal experience as well- my mom had the disease.

I've talked to a few professors at Hopkins, UNC, and UC Berkeley through email. These discussions were not anything specific, I was just trying to decide whether or not I should apply directly to the Phd programs or go for the Masters first. I plan on emailing a few more, however, specifically to say that I'm applying and would be interested in helping them if they needed it.

Let's see: oh, why WashU is my first choice. It's a bit of everything. I love St. Louis, it's a beautiful city, and the campus is amazing. One of my former supervisors went there, and loved it, so that also has influenced my decision. Prestige is also a factor, but the main thing is the department's ties to the Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes Jewish, as well as a consortium of cancer groups in and around the St. Louis area. To add to that, there are numerous profs with interests in NCD epi, cancer epi, and healthy aging.

As for my LORs, I have one rec that has already submitted them. And I'm waiting on the other two. I'll be sending an email to one of them in a week (as per request) as a reminder, and I plan on emailing the other tomorrow to see how things are coming along/if any more information is needed. I did send a copy of my SOP (just a very first rough draft and told them it was a draft) as well as a copy of my CV. Oh, and as for the SOPHAS question from my other post, yeah, I figured it out (it is just one LOR per rec for all SOPHAS schools), but thanks!

I will be submitting my apps as soon as I finish up my SOPs, hopefully by the end of this coming week.

As for my stats:

3.62 undergrad (degrees in International Business, International Relations, and German)

3.78 in grad (MA in International Studies with a Certificate in Global Health Affairs)

I worked as an RA for two professors (on different projects) while I was in grad school. And I've also interned at the World Health Organization. (but no full-time salaried positions)

GRE: 650V, 740Q (not sure about my most recent AW but so far a 5.5).

Additionally, I attended two public health seminars this past summer. One at Oxford University and another through distance learning at UMich.

I really feel that my application rests on my LORs and SOP as I feel my stats are just average (having no real professional work or publications), so hopefully something will work out!

OK, sorry for any typos above- my kitten has been jumping repeatedly on my keyboard throughout my typing of this post, as well as attacking my computer mouse.

Hope this helps!

As for when I'll submit my apps,

[periepi2011]

Hi zwajh (and others!)

I have a couple more questions:

1) again related to contacting professors. i have been emailing like crazy with faculty at a number of schools and am not 100% sure where to take things from here. if i've emailed with professors who say that 'my research areas are very interesting' for example, can/should i mention that in my SoP? Or if they say 'i would be happy to explore areas of collaboration if you decide to come here'... I guess, i'm trying to see how definitive or committal their responses should be for me to include them in my application. how are you approaching this?

2) related to Berkeley: how did you approach the 'personal history statement' compared to the SoP? this is something i'd been putting off and i'm now a bit worried about it!

3) related to sophas: does sophas want you to submit all the applications at the same time? or can you stagger the submission by deadlines for the schools? can you change things (like upload a newer CV) after submitting one?

to zwajh: have you submitted your applications already? if you would consider applying to harvard, i just emailed with a very supportive professor who studies ovarian cancer...let me know if you want more info.

good luck!

[zjwah]

Hi periepi2011,

I just submitted my applications (literally, 5 minutes ago). As for mentioning profs in your SOPs, I had conversations similar to yours and I did mention that Prof so-and-so's work seems interesting, and so on. Additionally, some applications may have a section where you can say you have specifically contacted different profs, so look for that. All in all I don't think you have to have a definite "You can work with me" before you mention that you'd like to work with a particular prof if you're accepted.

For Berkeley's personal history statement and SOP, I basically divided them in half. I've been including a small blurb about my mom's cancer and how it has impacted my research interests. I saved this for the personal history and tied it into my desire to work in women's cancers (particularly in the developing world). I got off easy on this because I had an obvious experience to draw from. I'd say look at your past work: does any of it highlight a underrepresented group? Have you seen this particular page on the personal history statement? http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/personal_statement.shtml It might help jog your memory.

As for the SOPHAS question...I'm not sure. I had the same question and could never find a definitive answer so I submitted it all at once. I have some apps due Dec 1 and some due in Feb, but they're all submitted as of now. As for changing things, I'm not sure on that either. The application instructions might have something on that though.

I actually did add Harvard to my list of schools after my last post, so I'd love more info about the prof (even though I've already submitted my application, it can't hurt).

OK let me know if you have any more questions!

Hi zwajh (and others!)

I have a couple more questions:

1) again related to contacting professors. i have been emailing like crazy with faculty at a number of schools and am not 100% sure where to take things from here. if i've emailed with professors who say that 'my research areas are very interesting' for example, can/should i mention that in my SoP? Or if they say 'i would be happy to explore areas of collaboration if you decide to come here'... I guess, i'm trying to see how definitive or committal their responses should be for me to include them in my application. how are you approaching this?

2) related to Berkeley: how did you approach the 'personal history statement' compared to the SoP? this is something i'd been putting off and i'm now a bit worried about it!

3) related to sophas: does sophas want you to submit all the applications at the same time? or can you stagger the submission by deadlines for the schools? can you change things (like upload a newer CV) after submitting one?

to zwajh: have you submitted your applications already? if you would consider applying to harvard, i just emailed with a very supportive professor who studies ovarian cancer...let me know if you want more info.

good luck!

[MSW-MPH]

Hey Folks,

Just adding my voice to the Fall 2010 (for Fall 2011 admission) applicant list. I have my MSW and have worked for the past 10 years in the field of addiction treatment and then medicaid programs aimed at increasing participation in preventative health services, connecting to community resources, and thereby reducing acute care utilization. As I'm moving more and more into the sphere of public health (and wanting to move into leadership and policy opportunities), I decided it's probably best to go for an MPH in addition to the MSW.

So, I just took the GRE - did decently on the Verbal but, well, uh, my Quant really sucks. Really sucks.

I was really aiming to apply for programs now (HSPH deadline of 12/15, BUSPH 2/15) for possible admission in fall of 2011. But, wow, now I'm worried about the quant score.

My partner is a HGSE grad (2005) and says his GRE scores were in the same ballpark as mine - and he was an econ major at Northwestern so his quant score *should* have been higher. And yet he got in. So I'm thinking the SOP will mean the most in the whole package, along with professional experience of course. I've been out of undergrad for 15 years now, so I'm not sure how much that comes into play, though my gpa was good.

I'm mostly chiming in to say hi, but am also open to feedback if ya'll think it would be best to hold off until I can potentially get the Quant score up?

Thanks!

[savagewheels]

Hi all,

I've been silently reading various posts on this forum for months and thought I would finally chip in.

Zjwah - I'm also interested in studying cancer (though from the angle of health services/policy) and UW is my first choice as well. The professors there were so responsive and nice (far and away the best responses I got from anyone I emailed). And the Fred Hutch is amazing.

I also just submitted my applications today! We'll see. It's strange to go from fretting about all the little details so not having anything to think about and just waiting.

Good luck to everyone!

[New Direction]

Hi!

I submitted today today. I am worried that my references haven't responded yet but everything else is in place. Will that hurt my chances?

Hi all,

I've been silently reading various posts on this forum for months and thought I would finally chip in.

Zjwah - I'm also interested in studying cancer (though from the angle of health services/policy) and UW is my first choice as well. The professors there were so responsive and nice (far and away the best responses I got from anyone I emailed). And the Fred Hutch is amazing.

I also just submitted my applications today! We'll see. It's strange to go from fretting about all the little details so not having anything to think about and just waiting.

Good luck to everyone!

[shmuey]

Hey there! Just discovered this forum, and really wish it had been sooner. I just sent off my application to Tennessee's MS/MPH Public Health Nutrition last night. I'm also applying to both Maryland school's, and started looking at the Texas-Houston MPH program. Unfortunately my submissions to SOPHAS were majorly delayed and I wasn't able to apply to Pitt's MS/MPH program, which I am still extremely interested in....might apply for Spring 2012 as it seems the program accepts for both terms. Anybody else experience major delays w/ SOPHAS? Anyway, good luck to all!

Edited January 5, 2011 by shmuey

[zjwah]

I think it took SOPHAS 2-3 weeks to mail my applications after I submitted them. That was back at the end of November, so I don't know if there will be longer delays as it's closer to more deadlines (I had some due Dec 1, so I submitted all of them at the same time just to get it over with). I did add an additional school in mid-December and it only took them a week to mail off that app, but it could have been because everything else had been previously processed and mailed for the earlier schools. Good luck!

[new mexico]

anyone hear back yet?

[fishpoo]

I submitted my app to SOPHAS on Dec. 1 and was notified that it was forwarded at the very end of December. No word from Berkeley yet, but i can't wait!

[dmf]

Hey fellow public health folks!

I applied to PhD programs in Infectious Disease/Immunology at Harvard SPH (actually Biological Sciences in PH through GSAS), UC Berkeley, U Washington (Pathobiology), Pitt GSPH, and SUNY Albany (Wadsworth Biomedical Sciences). My stats are fairly similar to those mentioned above... GPA 3.48 from respected liberal arts college, Molecular Biology major w/ High Honors, 4 years undergrad microbio research, 2 years full time research, GRE V610, Q680, AW3.5, Bio GRE 860 (96th percentile). Recs should be strong.

Did anyone else apply to any of these programs? The waiting is just killing me! Especially curious about other Harvard Biological Sciences in Public Health people... During an informal visit this fall, a member of the ADCOM told me that interviews were scheduled for the end of Jan and they hoped to have interview invites out by mid-Dec. However, she seemed skeptical about this timeline and I haven't seen any evidence that anyone else has heard from them... Anyone?

Good luck to all of you guys...keep us all posted with updates/decisions!

[Danny_Epi]

Glad to find this post. I also applied PhD in Epi for Fall 2011 admission. I only applied 3 schools....and I am regretful that I did not select schools wisely....based on how many applicants those schools must receive each year, it's very likely my chance of getting in is very slim. But worth trying i guess.

Have you guys heard anything yet? like interviews or anything. Waiting is really tough...

[Danny_Epi]

Hey fellow public health folks!

I applied to PhD programs in Infectious Disease/Immunology at Harvard SPH (actually Biological Sciences in PH through GSAS), UC Berkeley, U Washington (Pathobiology), Pitt GSPH, and SUNY Albany (Wadsworth Biomedical Sciences). My stats are fairly similar to those mentioned above... GPA 3.48 from respected liberal arts college, Molecular Biology major w/ High Honors, 4 years undergrad microbio research, 2 years full time research, GRE V610, Q680, AW3.5, Bio GRE 860 (96th percentile). Recs should be strong.

Did anyone else apply to any of these programs? The waiting is just killing me! Especially curious about other Harvard Biological Sciences in Public Health people... During an informal visit this fall, a member of the ADCOM told me that interviews were scheduled for the end of Jan and they hoped to have interview invites out by mid-Dec. However, she seemed skeptical about this timeline and I haven't seen any evidence that anyone else has heard from them... Anyone?

Good luck to all of you guys...keep us all posted with updates/decisions!

Hi there,

I applied PhD in Infectious Disease Epi at Harvard SPH and have yet heard anything from them.....I am not sure whether there would be an interview, since I have not received any notifications. Probability due to the fact that I did not make into the shortlist. I am just wondering whether you contacted any profs at Harvard SPH? anyway, hope you could keep me posted if you heard anything from them. Cheers

[dmf]

This might have been a mass email, but thought I'd share in case it wasn't. UC Berkeley SPH just emailed to say that my electronic application had been received and that decisions would be emailed by APRIL 15... This app was due/submitted Dec 1(and SOPHAS was mailed by mid-Dec). Does it really take 5 1/2 months to review applications and make decisions?? The email was from SPH admissions, not even my specific program (Infectious Disease and Vaccinology PhD program)...

If they really don't release decisions until 4/15, do they expect us to not commit to other schools by then? Ridiculous. Hopefully that's just a worst case scenario and decisions (at least the good ones) will be out well before then!

Has anyone else been notified of an absurdly late decision like this?

[zjwah]

On 1/20/2011 at 1:17 PM, dmf said:

This might have been a mass email, but thought I'd share in case it wasn't. UC Berkeley SPH just emailed to say that my electronic application had been received and that decisions would be emailed by APRIL 15... This app was due/submitted Dec 1(and SOPHAS was mailed by mid-Dec). Does it really take 5 1/2 months to review applications and make decisions?? The email was from SPH admissions, not even my specific program (Infectious Disease and Vaccinology PhD program)...

If they really don't release decisions until 4/15, do they expect us to not commit to other schools by then? Ridiculous. Hopefully that's just a worst case scenario and decisions (at least the good ones) will be out well before then!

Has anyone else been notified of an absurdly late decision like this?

Yep, pretty sure it was a mass email as I got the exact same thing and am applying for the Epi MPH program. I'm hoping that the 4/15 notification date is just the last absolute day we could know, and that they'll actually be notifying us sooner (fingers crossed!). I'll just say that if I get in somewhere else and am notified before Berkeley (especially if it's Emory or WashU who have earlier notification dates), I will not be going to Berkeley...if they don't feel committing and notifying me in a timely manner, then I'm not going to hold out just for them. It is ridiculous, I completely agree.