PhD in Public Health

[mpheels]

mpheels-

I received the same exact email from the professor whom I interviewed with, and I agree with your interpretation.  

I'm really curious how many people are "very high" on the list, given that it is a "very short" list. I wonder if they're telling this to everyone on the wait list, in hopes that enough money will come through for most. Hopefully it's just the two of us But now I'm a little worried that the same email was sent to everyone.. aye.

hmm... I'm going to go with it's just the two of us

[belafish]

Just finished my interview with Columbia (sociomedical sciences dept)... I think it went well!  The only slightly awkward part was when I was asked where else I was applying and how Columbia ranked amongst the other schools.  They said they will be wrapping up their decisions definitely by the end of the month and "sooner rather than later" for their initial offers. 

 

Congrats on your acceptance, julia!

[Panache]

Hey Congrats to everyone on their acceptances/interviews thus far.

 

Do you think Sociomedical Dept. interviews ALL candidates who are in the running for an acceptance? I think it is odd that Hopkins' Health Behavior and society PhD program doesn't have an interview process at all.

Edited February 12, 2013 by Panache

[VBD]

Bela, when I was interviewing there, the chair of the department's first question was "Why did you apply to school A and B as well? I know the people there." I think my heart almost stopped. 

 

Panache, I was under the impression that Hopkins's programs don't interview until March..? That's what the secretary lady told me.. *shrugs*

[mpheels]

Bela, when I was interviewing there, the chair of the department's first question was "Why did you apply to school A and B as well? I know the people there." I think my heart almost stopped. 

 

Panache, I was under the impression that Hopkins's programs don't interview until March..? That's what the secretary lady told me.. *shrugs*

 

During my Hopkins interview, she asked me if I applied to UNC (since I work there), and why choose Hopkins over UNC. I answered honestly - both programs are appealing for different reasons, then I refocused on the reasons I applied to Hopkins.

[Panache]

I think it is department specific, I e-mailed the coordinator for the department at Hopkins who told me that they do not have an interview process and I noticed on the results page no one posted any information on interviews from hopkins in that department.

[acdelco]

Yea HBS at Hopkins doesn't interview which I've always thought was weird, a lot of the other departments do though. 

I've never really understood why schools ask where else you applied, I've always chalked it up to them being competitive and trying to poach students from each other, sounds like you handled the question well mpheels. 

 

congrats everyone on interviews and acceptances! hopefully the next couple weeks will hold some decisions for everyone

[carryon08]

To the two folks who posted results from Brown Health Services Research today (if you happen to be lurking here ) -- did you attend the interview/recruitment day?

[VBD]

Someone else posted on the results survey an acceptance from one of the programs I interviewed at. But, we were interviewed the same day. Was I waitlisted/rejected *minor freakout* ? *hopes for an enlightening email soon*

 

Mpheels, that was a really good way to answer that odd question. I handled it similarly and tried to explain why their program was one of my top picks -- different reasons from School A and B. 

[Post-It Poet]

It's not actually an odd question to be asked where else you applied. Even when I was researching programs and talking to potential advisors and program directors on the phone/in person last fall, nearly every single one asked me where else I was applying. I think part of it is curiousity on their part, but part is also because they know that getting into a PhD program is part luck (and right place, right time) and they just assume you will be applying to multiple places!

 

I mean, you can be the best candidate out there, but if the person you want to work with at the top school isn't taking on new students, or there just happens to be a glut of students already doing that research at a certain university so they decide to take on a student doing something different in order to appear more well-rounded, then you might not get in. I'm amazed at the process. When I went through this last time (in English Literature), I got into a couple of my top choices/highly ranked programs and not a couple of the lower ranked. Even if you do your homework (no pun intended!) it can be a bit of a crap shoot. Of course, that's probably wh it's so stressful and anxiety-inducing! 

 

They might also want to see how you handle awkward and unexpected questions, because it's a good way to see how you might respond when put on the spot in class or at a conference!

[acdelco]

From stalking the results page, looks like Emory BSHE is rolling out some decisions, fingers crossed everyone! 

[mpheels]

Just about had a heart attack.. I checked the results page for UNC, and there is an acceptance for Health Policy and Management... Masters.

Edited February 14, 2013 by mpheels

[MammaD]

Well, at least there's life down there. I'm starting to feel like I'm alone in some alternate universe.

[Mazaya]

Well, at least there's life down there. I'm starting to feel like I'm alone in some alternate universe.

Hey MammaD, no you are not alone in this. I too haven't heard anything and feel that I am about to go insane. Thanks all for sharing your news and developments, it's much appreciated!

[juliajulia1020]

Has anyone heard back from the PhD admission of Harvard SPH Dept of Social and Behavioral Health yet? 

[carryon08]

Has anyone heard back from the PhD admission of Harvard SPH Dept of Social and Behavioral Health yet? 

 

I believe Harvard SPH releases all decisions in early/mid March - according to the department and previous years' results. They also don't conduct interviews, which makes the waiting period feel like an eternity (does it really take 3-4 months to review applications?). But I'm interested to know as soon as someone hears back!

[MammaD]

Thanks, Mazaya! I'm trying not to lose hope. Tomorrow is 2/15, the date one of my programs sent out a bunch of decisions last year. If there's nothing tomorrow, it's gonna be another long weekend.

[acdelco]

Did anyone who applied to Columbia SMS get a financial aid survey today? I didnt get one but I heard some people did and just was wondering if they send them to all applicants....? still havent heard anything from Columbia :\

[jogatoronto]

I just got one of the SMS financial aid surveys but don't worry because some people got an interview and I did not.  

[epidemiwhat]

I'll throw my scenario into the mix: I've applied for Dr.PH at Berkeley and Boston U, and Ph.D in Behavioral Science (or their equivalent) at Harvard and Johns Hopkins. I have heard NOTHING.  I've written a rhyming haiku, because I've clearly gone crazy.

 

 

Valentine's Day Blues

Why can't schools give me more clues?

At least I have booze

[VBD]

With your name and your haiku, I really wish I could upvote you more. I needed that laugh

 

The thing that's nice about Harvard is that last year when I applied they were the first rejection letter I got, around the beginning of March (if I recall correctly). So at least they put you out of your misery sooner. But let's hope that won't happen here, right? *positive thoughts!*

 

Edit: Acdelco and Jogatoronto: Just checked my email, and I had two Financial Surveys (probably an accidental re-sent) for Columbia, so I believe it might be for all Mailman applicants. (Not gonna lie, I definitely got a shock seeing the word Columbia in the sender column.Oh well, false alarm, heart, you can stop beating so fast now). 

Edited February 15, 2013 by VBD

[MammaD]

(Not gonna lie, I definitely got a shock seeing the word Columbia in the sender column.Oh well, false alarm, heart, you can stop beating so fast now). 

You know, I was thinking this evening on my drive home from school that if I ever get an email from UNC, I may vomit and faint at the same time, perhaps dying from aspiration in the process, and never make it to the application website to find out what they wanted to tell me.

Alternatively, my more real concern will come to pass: I never receive an email, and sometime in September, I'm walking around like a cartoon character with spirals for eyes, mechanically looking at my phone every time it signals an incoming email. "Did I get in?" I'll ask in a vacant voice, to no one in particular ...

[Mazaya]

I believe Harvard SPH releases all decisions in early/mid March - according to the department and previous years' results. They also don't conduct interviews, which makes the waiting period feel like an eternity (does it really take 3-4 months to review applications?). But I'm interested to know as soon as someone hears back!

Hi Carryon08, I am wondering how you know about Harvard's no-interview policy. I saw two posts on the Results page, claiming that they applied to Harvard's Health Policy PhD and were invited to interview. I have heard so many conflicting pieces of information about this, it's rather distressing. I applied to HSPH (Health Policy/Decision Sciences track) and have heard nothing so far. 

[carryon08]

Hi Carryon08, I am wondering how you know about Harvard's no-interview policy. I saw two posts on the Results page, claiming that they applied to Harvard's Health Policy PhD and were invited to interview. I have heard so many conflicting pieces of information about this, it's rather distressing. I applied to HSPH (Health Policy/Decision Sciences track) and have heard nothing so far. 

 

HSPH actually doesn't offer a PhD in Health Policy - they offer a Doctor of Science in Society, Human Development, and Health (now Social & Behavioral Sciences). They don't conduct interviews. However, the Harvard PhD program in Health Policy (which isn't housed in HSPH, but includes HSPH faculty) does offer interviews. I heard from the program coordinator last week and she confirmed that all interview invites have been sent out (I didn't get one, unfortunately, but wasn't too surprised). It's possible that the Decision Sciences track is different, though, but I'm not sure. Looks like decisions have been sent out in February the past years, so I guess we'll know for sure soon. I completely agree that it's distressing!

[jordanhina]

So, it seems that Harvard's "We will let you know sometime between the beginning of February and beginning of March" meant exactly halfway between. Have you seen how many results were posted today?!? And why don't I know anything yet?!??