Does MPH GPA matter that much for PhD admissions?

[HSRhopeful]

Hey Y'all

So I just started an MPH at Emory and realized that to get an A in most courses, you need to make 95 or higher. In some courses, the cutoff is as high as 96. I want to pursue a PhD in social health (particular Columbia's gender and sexuality fellowship, but that's a different post haha), so I was wondering if I get A-'s in classes, if that'll affect my chances? I know fit is probably the best indicator, and I already know I want to research sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) minority health, specifically how health provider education is created/conceived. So, I took a research job pertaining to SOGI health interventions at up to 20 hours a week (for $) and volunteer with local organizations. So given that, I feel like A-'s wouldn't matter that much, but I just wanted to make sure. Side questions: do uGPA matter and would significant scholarships look good on an application? Thanks for any help!

[_kita]

Hi @HSRhopeful, your question is heavily program dependent. Some programs only care about UGRAD GPA, others only about GRAD GPA, and others yet only care that you demonstrate a competency in a given area. Just make sure that the departments you apply to are looking at areas you want to them to evaluate you on! As for the scholarships, as long as they are pertinent to where you are going, yes. If you have one for being left-handed, I doubt they'd care. But if you have a research scholarship, add it in.