Decision for MPH / MSW program

[hkhong94]

Hi everyone  

I'm hoping to hear insights regarding MPH / MSW dual degree programs. 

So far I've been accepted to 

University of Michigan (both MPH and MSW) 
UCLA (MPH, MSW denied)
Columbia University (both MPH and MSW)
University of Washington Seattle (MPH, MSW waitlisted)

I know that you can apply for the second school during your first semester in grad school (so I could apply for MSW again @ UCLA if I wanted to), but I don't want to take the even smallest chance so I don't think I'll be going to UCLA. And I went to University of Michigan for undergrad, so I just don't want to spend another 3 years here. 

So the decision is pretty much between Columbia University and UW Seattle. Tuition is cheaper at Columbia, but living expenses is more expensive in NY. 

I am interested in doing work related to sexual assault prevention, but I'm also interested in mental health and health disparities in general. I think I want to work internationally but I'm not completely sure yet. I lived in Vancouver, Canada for awhile, so I kind of know what Seattle is like, but I have no idea what NY is like.

Things that would be important to me: school atmosphere/culture, % of students and faculties of color, culture/mentality of each cities, support for international students, faculty support, job preparation...is there anything else I should consider? 

 

What's your experience with each city? Each school? Have you heard anything about the dual degree programs? 

Thanks in advance  

[juilletmercredi]

I went to Mailman for my PhD. I knew a couple people in dual degree programs there, including one in the MPH/MSW.

You're wait listed at UW for the MSW - what are the odds you get off that wait list? I think right now your only viable option is Columbia. It's more so just thinking about it in case you are taken off the wait list at UW.

Columbia is a good place to go for mental health and health disparities for sure. New York is also a much more diverse city, which will be important for your practica/field work expereinces if these are your interests. I think Seattle would be a better city to be a grad student in, partially because of cost. (I've lived in both.)

What is the chance that you can get in-state tuition at UW for your second year? Do they do that? I'd find that out. Both Columbia and OOS tuition at UW are very expensive for a career as a social worker.