Columbia vs UC Berkeley 1 year MPH?

[labrynth79]

Hey all!

I'm a med student right now, planning on completing my one year MPH between the 3rd/4th year. I've been accepted to the MPH programs at Columbia and UC Berkeley, waitlisted at Harvard. I really would like to attend Harvard since the International Health program fits so well for me, but I'm not holding my breath.

Quesiton is: Columbia or Berkeley? Has anyone heard much of either program? I heard not-so-great reviews of Cal's 1-year program from a friend that just completed it, and AspiringDoctor9 didn't make Columbia seem appealing either.

I need to figure things out. Any ideas? I'm helpless at the moment. I thought that Cal was my number one choice for a long time (I'm an alum - Go Bears!), but now i'm thinking that I should get out of California for a year.

Please help!!

Thanks,
labrynth79

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[AspiringDoctor9]

Hey all!

I'm a med student right now, planning on completing my one year MPH between the 3rd/4th year. I've been accepted to the MPH programs at Columbia and UC Berkeley, waitlisted at Harvard. I really would like to attend Harvard since the International Health program fits so well for me, but I'm not holding my breath.

Quesiton is: Columbia or Berkeley? Has anyone heard much of either program? I heard not-so-great reviews of Cal's 1-year program from a friend that just completed it, and AspiringDoctor9 didn't make Columbia seem appealing either.

I need to figure things out. Any ideas? I'm helpless at the moment. I thought that Cal was my number one choice for a long time (I'm an alum - Go Bears!), but now i'm thinking that I should get out of California for a year.

Please help!!

Thanks,
labrynth79

Hihi!

I hope my review of Columbia didn't discourage you too much, because I think you're in a very different situation than most of the other people I met there. About half of my 8 points don't apply to you, since you're also going to be an MD. Finding a job won't be an issue, so the lack of career planning won't affect you. Also you're not directionless like many others I met, etc. Many of the happiest people at Columbia were the people who were already medical students - they had a solid vision of their future and were much more optimistic than the others there (as a general rule).

I think if you don't mind the crampt dorm space and expensive cost of living in NYC, Columbia might be a good choice for you if you want to leave Cali for awhile. If you have any other questions, let me know!

 

[labrynth79]

Thanks, AspiringDoctor9, for your advice. At that time, I had decided on Berkeley over Columbia (many reasons). However, in the end, I was accepted to Harvard's program, so I will be attending there this September.

Wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors.

 

[EMApplicant]

Thanks, AspiringDoctor9, for your advice. At that time, I had decided on Berkeley over Columbia (many reasons). However, in the end, I was accepted to Harvard's program, so I will be attending there this September.

Wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors.

Congratz! I'm an HSPH alum myself and can't say enough good things about the program. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

[exmike]

I had to choose b/t cal and columbia. in the end the private tuition to go to columbia wasnt worth it.