Should I even bother applying for an MPH...

[dcare]

I've been reading through a lot posts on here to try and find some insight on this process and it seems like I am competing against the same kind of people i.e. excellent GPA scores, opportunities for research, volunteer work, etc.

I have none of this. Its not that I didn't want to do this, it's because I had other obligations outside of school. I was young single mother during my entire undergrad, so outside of school, my time was spent working 4 different jobs, 7 days a week. My GPA isn't very high (3.26) because I was taking 22 credit course loads each semester with only 10-13 hours of available study time a week (I have strong opinions about appropriate amounts of sleep) I have a strong passion for the field, and a clear direction of where I want my MPH to take me in my career, and I am dedicated to completing my masters in Public health. I know now is the right time for me to do this, but after seeing what I'm up against, I feel like I should save those few hundred dollars and not even apply.

Anyone else feel this way? Any words of encouragement?

[iowaguy]

If it's your dream and you're driven, then go for it. Explain your weaknesses in your SOP but don't dwell on them. Study hard for the GRE and strive to ace it so as to make up for your low GPA. Try to contact professors beforehand and visit campus to forge a relationship with them before you apply. Those things should all help your chances and get you in. Your 3.26 GPA isn't a deal-breaker if the rest of your application is strong... Good luck!

[dcare]

If it's your dream and you're driven, then go for it. Explain your weaknesses in your SOP but don't dwell on them. Study hard for the GRE and strive to ace it so as to make up for your low GPA. Try to contact professors beforehand and visit campus to forge a relationship with them before you apply. Those things should all help your chances and get you in. Your 3.26 GPA isn't a deal-breaker if the rest of your application is strong... Good luck!

Thank you! I know my letters of recommendations will be strong because all of my professors have commented on my academic abilities being well above those of my peers. My GPA doesn't reflect it because I had one really bad semester where I was suffering from undiagnosed celiacs and ADHD with multiple debilitating symptoms that affected my performance, which I did address in my SOP.

Do universities put more emphasis on your GPA in your major? My GPA in Exercise science core was 3.6, and the courses that I received abnormally low grades in were the religion courses I was required to take and I'm an atheist, so I was a bit at a disadvantage when it came to writing for those classes.

[iowaguy]

I personally wouldn't mention the religion courses, atheism, ADHD, etc - you don't want to go down that path IMHO. Just say that you had a bad semester where you were taking classes that weren't related to your core; and that your core GPA is more reflective of your abilities than your overall GPA because you were so passionate about those subjects, etc... If a university sees a couple of poor grades in an unrelated subject (religion when you're applying for MPH), they aren't going to be too concerned about it IMHO. Stick to your strengths in your SOP. Good luck!

[dcare]

That makes me feel a lot better. Thank you!

[loopsonflowers]

It's probably a little late to tell you this, but hopefully it will serve to calm your nerves if you already applied, or motivate you to apply for next year.

 

When I applied to MPH programs, I had a GPA pretty close to yours (in fact, slightly lower).  I got into four out of five programs (accepted at Hopkins, Columbia, Emory and BU and rejected at Yale), and matriculated at Hopkins.  Yes.  You should absolutely bother.  Public health programs are certainly looking for a good GPA, but they're looking for a number of other things as well. 

 

The reasons I applied to higher ranked programs despite my GPA were as follows:

1. I had highly relevant work experience (at a well-known national organization, with a high level of responsibility, and publications)

2. I knew I would have excellent recommendations

3. I knew my writing skills would allow me to write an excellent statement of purpose

 

I think you'll be FINE.  I think you'll definitely get in somewhere, and I think you'll be happy with the program.  What you have going for you now, from what I understand, is a clear sense of what you want to do, and a passion for it- which likely means that your recommenders will be able to very clearly explain what you want to do, and why programs should let you come do it.  I can also tell from the way you wrote your question that you know how to communicate your thoughts through writing with no problem.  I think there's a great chance that you'll write a killer statement of purpose, and get in everywhere you apply.

 

I hope you applied!  Good luck!!!

[CoolCoolCool]

Don't let it bog you down.  I got accepted into Hopkins SOPH with a 2.4 GPA...great LORs and publications i'm sure helped them to look over that...