<p>I am interested in applying to masters in public health in epidemiology degree programs for the fall of 2014, but I am freaking out a little bit about admissions...</p>
<p>Here is info about me:</p>
<p>I graduated from Boston College in May 2013 with a BS in Biology. I was a Presidential Scholar, which is a merit scholarship at BC.
GPA: 3.57
GRE: Writing: 5.5 (96%)
Verbal: 168 (98%)
Quantitative: 160 (78%)</p>
<p>During school, I also did one year of research in a virology lab on campus and wrote a senior thesis. I worked on the transmission of HIV between species (monkeys and humans).</p>
<p>This year, I am teaching high school biology on a small South Pacific island, American Samoa, through a volunteer organization called WorldTeach.</p>
<p>I will have 3 good recommendations: one from a professor and the director of the scholarship program I was a part of, with whom I had a good relationship. One from a professor I had in my senior year. And one from the professor with whom I did research and for who was my thesis advisor.</p>
<p>The schools I am interested in applying to are:
Emory, Rollins School of Public Health (MSPH Global Epidemiology)
Harvard School of Public Health (MS Epidemiology)
Boston University School of Public Health (MPH Epidemiology, MS Epidemiology)
UC Berkeley (MPH Epidemiology/BioStats)</p>
<p>I know these are all really good programs, so I'm a little nervous... Should I apply to more schools, with lower ranked programs, as a safety? And does anyone have any suggestions?</p>
<p>You’re fine - I wouldn’t worry too much. Do you have two semesters of calculus and linear algebra? That will increase your chances at least at Emory, and Boston U too I think. But you should still be fine - acceptance rates for MPH programs are actually quite high. See here:</p>
<p>Your numbers are fine, but a lot will depend on your personal statement. Do you really want to do Epi research, or are you taking a gap year for med school? If the latter, the MPH won’t help much.)</p>
<p>btw: I’d be wary of the rec from the Program Director. As a Presidential Scholar, your GPA is likely at the low end of the program. Thus, not sure how strong the rec can be. Just make sure that s/he is comfortable providing you with a “strong” rec.</p>
<p>I am interested in Epidemiology itself, not as a pre-med school degree. And my GPA is on the low end, but my transcripts show a very positive curve: my grades were a lower freshman and sophomore year, and went up junior and senior. The director and I have a good relationship, and he was very happy with the upward climb, so I believe it will be a very positive rec :)</p>
<p>Harvard offers a Ph.d in Epidemiology through the School of Public Health that does not require/recommend a previous MPH/MS. I was wondering what you thought my chances were of getting into that program, or whether I should just stick to applying for the MS?</p>