Just got into the UCLA MPH in Health Policy and Management program, and Cornell Sloan Program in Health Administration(MHA). Trying to decide between the two. I want to end up in California ultimately, and go to a school that will provide ample support and guidance in trying to secure a job post graduation, preferably in health IT/healthcare operations/strategy consulting. $$ is not an issue, and I’m also considering moving to different industries down the line, particularly tech, if I can gain enough transferable technical skills. Let me know what your guys’ thoughts are – thanks!
What do you think?
It appears to me that UCLA is the obvious choice with your personal goals. Great way to learn if you really want to live on the west coast long term.
I’m leaning towards there as well, but the only thing I’m wondering is if the public school environment will fall short in terms of providing support during the job search. I’ve heard the UC system is notorious for that
Public schools at the UCLA level will have many resources. It may require a bit more patience and self reliance. However funding cuts and state deficits are legitimate. So keep up the due diligence and much success. Either option is a home run.
IMO, UCLA only checks off the location button. An MPH is not gonna help much with IT/Operations and trasnferable skills…
It depends. If the OP has a technical/IT-related undergraduate degree, that combined with the MPH could help the transition into health IT. For healthcare operations and strategy consulting, though, an MPH from a highly-ranked program is fine - I had colleagues from my school of public health go into strategy consulting and ops all the time after getting their MPH (I went to Columbia).
OP, as was mentioned, not all public universities are the same and UCLA will offer you resources and opportunities that are on par with Cornell’s, if not better. Particularly if you are interested in staying in California, UCLA may give you connections there - if you work them right - that will help you more than Cornell’s distance.
Do realize, though, that while universities do provide an infrastructure of support, at the graduate level, a lot of the post-graduation job search and career search is proactively decided - meaning you have to do most of the footwork.