DrPH and connecting with professors

[beardedbaby]

I know connecting with professors prior to the application is emphasized among Phd applicants. However, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on how critical this may be for DrPH programs? I am looking specifically at Harvard, Hopkins, and GW (proximity).

 

Also, if any current DrPH-ers are reading, I'd love to hear your application experience.

[juilletmercredi]

I am not a DrPH, but a lot of friends of mine are.  I think connecting with professors in most DrPH programs is almost as, if not equally as, important as it is in PhD programs.  It kind of depends on the flavor of the DrPH program - in some departments (like mine) the DrPH was a research-oriented degree; PhD and DrPH students were nearly indistinguishable, and because of that having a defined research area and contacting professors ahead of time was always a good idea (although not completely necessary - I didn't contact anyone ahead of time at my public health PhD program).

 

In other programs the DrPH is more considered a professional degree, the next step after an MPH - kind of akin to a DNP for nursing.  In those cases it might be less crucial.