Admissions Blog

Our most recent posts were directed toward admitted students beginning their Bloomberg School education in the 2013-2014 Academic Year.  But even as we in Admissions prepare to roll out the red carpet for incoming students, we are also preparing to guide another batch through the 2014-2015 application.

I can’t believe I just typed “2014-2015,” but it is indeed just around the corner. In fact, the application for degree programs beginning summer or fall of 2014 will open September 1, 2013.

That’s just four months away!

What can you do now?

1. Review “How to Apply,” the application requirements and deadlines and our FAQ.
2. Subscribe to this blog and stay informed about changes to the application, application process and any upcoming deadlines.
3. Arrange to take the GRE or other appropriate standardized test.
4. Begin the credentialing process if you have international academic records.
5. Schedule an English Language Proficiency Exam if you’re required to take one.
6. Come visit and take one of our scheduled campus tours.

And as always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Welcome to the fourth installment of our monthly series: “What You’re Asking.”

Here’s how it works.  I scope out emails sent to admiss@jhsph.edu and tally the most frequently asked questions. I then choose three of the most common questions to answer in a blog post.

This month, the questions came from every direction. Some of you are submitting applications. Some are waiting for an admissions decision. Some have received a decision and are trying to decide what to do next.  And then there are some who have brought us full-circle and are investigating schools for the 2014-2015 Academic Year.

Here are your top three questions with my answers.

1. How do I apply to a degree program at the Bloomberg School?

One of our very first posts, describes this process in detail. You should also see “How to Apply” on the Admissions website. Our FAQs covers a lot of the nitty gritty and there’s a special page for international students outlining requirements specific to them.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us.

2. Can I apply for a program beginning fall 2013?

The majority of our application deadlines for fall 2013 have come and gone.  Most programs whose deadlines have past are no longer accepting applications.

There are a handful of programs with deadlines still to come and an even smaller handful of programs with extended deadlines.

Otherwise, the application for the 2014-2015 Academic Year will open September 1, 2013.

3. I majored in [English/rocket science/whatever-you’re-major-was], but am now passionate about public health. Will the Bloomberg School accept me?

We accept applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds: journalists, physicians, lawyers, mathematicians, social workers. It really depends on your program of interest, your experience and what you wish to accomplish.  

Generally, our departments like to see coursework in the sciences. Some have specific coursework requirements (we’re looking at you, MPH and MSPH/RD). Others not so much. Once you’ve narrowed your interests, you should contact the academic coordinator for your prospective department directly.

Best wishes and have a great weekend!

Welcome to the third installment in a series of posts describing the general admissions process here at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Future posts will delve into specific admissions requirements, showcase our school, highlight staff and display snapshots of our kids (just kidding). 

For now, let’s talk. . .

Under Review

You submitted your application and all of your supporting materials. The admissions coordinator handling your file processed those materials and deemed your application complete.

What happens next?

The short answer is: the admissions coordinator sends your application package to your program for review.

But it’s at this point that things really begin to vary.

Each of our academic departments, as well as the program office for our Schoolwide MPH, have their own admission review committees.  Some of our departments have separate review committees for master’s and doctoral applications. Some have committees dedicated to a specific degree track.  The committees meet at different times and with varying levels of frequency. They have one thing in common:  eventually they reach an admissions decision on every application.

On average, it takes eight to ten weeks for a decision to be issued. These decisions come directly from the program you applied to. We in admissions are not permitted to relay decisions one way or another.

We can, however, keep our fingers crossed for you.

Best wishes to you and your application!

Welcome to our second installment outlining the admissions process here at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

In this post, we’ll solve the mystery of . . .

What Happens When I Click Submit?

Your application is awesome.  You read our last post, followed the instructions and created an application that accurately represents you and your public health goals.

You’re ready to submit!

ApplyYourself will guide you through the submission process which includes a pdf preview of your application, payment of your $45 application fee, and entry of your electronic signature.

Your application is submitted when you see the words “Submission Complete!”

It takes about a day for the system to export your application to us. Once received, we create your official application file, begin processing any supporting documents, and enter those documents in your online record.

You have the ability to check the status of supporting documents through the online application. But at this point, especially if you’re submitting close to an application deadline, we ask for patience.

Our admissions coordinators are hard workers and are often here on weekends processing materials, but it can still take up to ten business days for all your materials to appear received in your application. Everything that comes through our doors is date stamped, so as long as you submitted your materials by the deadline, your application won’t be considered late.

Once we’ve received and processed all the materials your program requires, your file is ready for review!

Next post:  Under Review

In our first post, we mentioned opening the doors to our virtual office. 

We’re holding the door, come on in!

Most of the questions we get this time of year have to do with the admissions process.

How do I apply?

Can I send my transcript before I submit my application?

Who reviews application materials and what are they looking for?

In the next few posts, we’ll outline the application process and what happens to your materials once they leave your hands and arrive in ours.

Getting Started

Applications to the Bloomberg School are submitted online through a service called ApplyYourself (AY).  To start an application, create an AY account and receive your password and pin. Once in the application, complete the form by providing your contact information, academic history, program you’re applying to, employment history, etc.  Supporting materials such as your personal statement and resume may be uploaded to the application. Recommendation providers may also be entered and given the opportunity to provide a secure recommendation online.

You have the ability to save your work, logout and come back later. You may complete the application in a day, over several days or even several months. Just be sure to submit your application before the deadline of your program!

While you work on composing the perfect application, you should also order supporting materials (i.e. transcripts and test scores) and have them officially sent to Admissions Services. Application requirements can vary, so read our instructions carefully.

Applicants with international academic records should be aware of our credentials evaluation requirement and begin that process well in advance of their application deadline.

Supporting materials are also due before the application deadline. If your documents arrive before you formally submit your application, we’ll date stamp and keep them in a holding file for up to two years. The important thing is to submit your application and supporting materials before the deadline. They may arrive in any order.

Don’t risk missing your deadline! Send those materials early!

Next post: What happens when I click submit?