1. Betsey Asher, Admissions Officer/Recruiter
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Kerri Noonan, Associate Director of Admissions
Harvard School of Public Health
Taryn Callahan, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Events
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Melissa Gilmore, Assistant Director of Admissions
Yale School of Public Health

2. Quick Facts Columbia Harvard Hopkins Yale Founded 1921 1922 1916 1915
Location
New York, NY
Columbia University Medical Center Campus
Boston, MA
Longwood Medical Campus of Harvard University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University Medical Campus
New Haven, CT
Yale Medical School Campus
Enrollment
1110
1028
2056
215

3. What is Public Health?
“Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. Public health professionals analyze the effect on health of genetics, personal choice and the environment in order to develop programs that protect the health of your family and community.”
Resource:

4. Public Health vs Medicine
Population
Prevention
Health Promotion VS
“Medicine”
Individual
Disease
Treatment

5. How does Public Health affect your life?
Disaster Preparedness
Early testing/screening
Cancer Research
H1N1

6. Core Areas of Study
Biostatistics - Estimating the number of deaths from gun violence or looking at trends in drunk driving injuries by using math and science is the study of biostatistics. Forecasting scenarios, identifying health trends within the community, explaining biological phenomena, as well as determining the causes of disease and injury, biostatistics are an integral part of public health.
Epidemiology - When food poisoning or an influenza outbreak attacks a community, the "disease detectives" or epidemiologists are asked to investigate the cause of disease and control its spread. Epidemiologists do fieldwork to determine what causes disease or injury, what the risks are, who is at risk, and how to prevent further incidences.
Environmental Health Sciences - The air we breathe; the water we drink; the complex interactions between human genetics and our surroundings. Environmental health studies the impact of our surroundings on our health.
Health Administration - Managing the database at a school clinic; developing budgets for a health department; creating polices for health insurance companies; and directing hospital services all depend on health administrators. The field of health services administration combines politics, business, and science in managing the human and fiscal resources needed to deliver effective public health services.
Behavioral Sciences/Health Education - Stopping the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes and HIV/AIDS; helping youth recognize the dangers of binge drinking; and promoting seatbelt use. Behavioral Science/Health Education focuses on ways that encourage people to make healthy choices.
Resource:

7. Academic Departments/Concentrations
Columbia
Harvard
Hopkins
Yale
Biostatistics
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Environmental Health Sciences
Environmental Health
Epidemiology
Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
General Public Health
Genetics and Complex Diseases
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Health Policy & Management
Global Health and Population
Health, Behavior & Society
Health Policy
Population & Family Health
Health Policy and Management
Health Management
Sociomedical Sciences
Immunology and Infectious Diseases
International Health
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Part Time MPH in Health Policy & Management
Nutrition
Mental Health
Advanced Professional M.P.H. in six concentration areas
Executive MPH in Health Care Management
Society, Human Development and Health
Molecular Microbiology & Immunology
Global Health Concentration
Global Health & other tracks available within several depts.
Master of Public Health Program
(seven concentrations)
Population, Family & Reproductive Health
Regulatory Affairs Track

8. Before you Apply Do your research CEPH accreditation
Private vs. Public
Research Centers and Affiliations
Size of the Institution
“If you’ve seen one school, you’ve seen one school.”

9. Admission Criteria
Personalized Statement of Purpose - Why you are applying and how do your research interests “fit” with that particular area of study at that institution?
Official Transcripts - Transcripts will be required from ALL courses taken at any institution – this will include summer and non-degree coursework
Standardized Test Scores - Take the exam as early as possible.
Letters of Recommendation – Your recommender should be able to speak to your academic and research abilities, know your past experience and future goals, and provide examples of your unique qualities.
Experience – Work, volunteer, and life experience relays your understanding of and commitment to the profession.
Application Deadlines - Vary from school to school and degree to degree

10. Admission Requirements
Columbia
Harvard
Hopkins
Yale
Degrees Offered
MPH, MS, PhD, DrPH,
SM (42.5, 60 & 80-cr), MPH, MOH, SD, DPH, (PhD)
MPH, MHS, MHA, ScM, PhD, DrPH, ScD
MPH, MS, PhD
Deadlines
December 15/ DrPH, PhD
December 1 / MPH, MS
Dec. 15 (all)
Varies upon degree and department
January 15th / MPH December 15th / MS, PhD
Application
Online application & $60 fee, all transcripts, three recommendation letters, resume or CV, personal statement & test scores
No application fee, SOPHAS application (and fee) required, all transcripts, three letters of rec. (preferred online), resume or CV, personal statement and test scores
Online application & $45 fee, all transcripts, three letters of recommendation (preferred online), resume or CV, personal statement and test scores
School specific questions on SOPHAS
Test Scores Required
GRE (GMAT, MCAT, LSAT or DAT may be substituted at Admission Committee’s discretion)
GRE - HSPH code 3456 (MCAT if MD or in med school; GMAT if MBA; LSAT if JD, in 3rd yr of law school or in HLS; DAT if DDS or DMD)
GRE, GMAT, MCAT (Varies upon Degree and Department)
JHSPH code: 5352
GRE/GMAT – code 3975 MCAT – code “SOPHAS”
LSAT if Yale JD/MPH
Experience
Preferred and required by some programs

11. Relays your understanding of public health
Prior Experience
Work Volunteer Life
Relays your understanding of public health
Community service
Paid or unpaid it should demonstrate leadership, direction and commitment to the public health profession
Working on issues of health promotion and prevention
Research in public health related field
Shadowing or working with public health professionals
Working for a non-profit involved in public health advocacy
Local health department, accredited school of public health or other agency

12. www.jhsph.edu/admissions mailman.columbia.edu/experience
How to Apply Online
mailman.columbia.edu/experience
From the Admissions page, click “Apply Online”
Bookmark/Save Logon Information
Online: Statement of Goals, CV & Letters of Recommendation
Self-Service – Log back in to check application status

14. Career Opportunities
Employment can be found in a variety of areas, including:
Aging population
Behavior-related disorders
Bioterrorism
Chronic diseases
Hazardous chemical & physical agents
Health of the impoverished and disadvantaged
Maternal & child health
New infectious disease
Toxic wastes

15. Source: ASPH

16. Helpful Websites www.whatispublichealth.org www.asph.org
(Free day at APHA)
Career Office Websites

17. Financial Aid Columbia: 002707 Harvard: E00214 Hopkins: E00234 Yale:
Complete the institution’s financial aid application
FAFSA – Request PIN early at Know the school code
Have a copy of your taxes for 2010
Federal vs. Institutional Aid
Merit vs. Need Aid
Apply early (01/01/2011)
Check application deadlines and form requirements
Columbia:
002707
Harvard:
E00214
Hopkins:
E00234
Yale:
001426

18. Funding Resources

19. Contact Us www.mailman.columbia.edu ph-admit@columbia.edu
(212)
(617)
(410)
publichealth.yale.edu
(203)