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M.P.H. and M.H.S.A. Applicants

The Application Process

All M.P.H. and M.H.S.A. applications and supplemental materials should be submitted to SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service), with the exception of GRE or GMAT scores. These test scores should be sent electronically to UM SPH. (M.P.H. and M.H.S.A. applicants are not required to submit additional hard copies of transcripts, etc. to the Admissions Office.)

After SOPHAS has received all necessary materials, the applications and supplemental materials are forwarded to the SPH Office of Academic Affairs for processing. Complete applications are then forwarded to the specific department for faculty review. Departments make admissions recommendations to the Office of Academic Affairs. Applicants are notified on a rolling basis.

Steps in the Application Process

To Do

Contact for Questions
  1.  SOPHAS

Time Estimate: Allow up to 4 weeks for your file to be processed by SOPHAS during peak periods.  Batches of completed applications will be sent weekly to UM SPH.

The application deadline is January 15th, 2010. This is a hard deadline for International Applicants, and a rolling deadline for Domestic Applicants

Submitted applications will be sent to UM SPH when SOPHAS has received all official transcripts and two of the three letters of recommendation

SOPHAS:

sophasinfo@sophas.org

617-612-2090

PO Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471

You may check the status of your application and materials through SOPHAS at any time.

Test Score Reporting Questions:

sph.inquiries@umich.edu

734-764-9554

 

  1.  UM SPH Admissions

Time Estimate: You should receive email confirmation from UM SPH Admissions within one week of the SOPHAS mailing date.
  • UM SPH admissions will send email confirmation once your application has been received and processed
  • It is your individual responsibility to confirm that your application is complete and materials meet all designated deadlines; your application will not be reviewed until it is complete
  • Completed applications will be immediately forwarded on to the appropriate department(s)
  • Follow the email instructions to view your application status online through Wolverine Access; you will be able to verify receipt of your test scores at this time
  • To verify receipt of additional documents, check SOPHAS as appropriate or contact UM SPH Admissions

UM SPH Admissions:

sph.inquiries@umich.edu

734-764-9554

If test scores have not been received:

Contact the appropriate testing agency to resubmit.

 

  1.  UM SPH Departments

Time: It typically takes 2-4 weeks from the time you receive your confirmation email (Step 2) for your application to be reviewed by the department admissions committee and for an admissions recommendation to be made.
  • Your application will be forwarded to first and second choice departments simultaneously, and decisions will be made separately
  • Departmental admissions committees meet at regular intervals, beginning in January and continuing until programs have been filled
  • The department will report their admissions recommendation back to UM SPH Admissions once your application has been reviewed

UM SPH Departmental Contact Information can be found on our contact page.

 

  1.  UM SPH Admissions

Time: You should receive an official admissions decision via email within 1-2 weeks of the departmental recommendation (Step 3).
  • UM SPH Admissions reviews and approves all admissions recommendations provided by the departments
  • Official admissions decision announcements will be sent via email, please monitor your email closely for messages from Michigan SPH Admissions
  • Ensure that your contact information, including email, phone, and address are updated in Wolverine Access in order to receive all communications in a timely manner

UM SPH Admissions:

sph.inquiries@umich.edu

734-764-9554

Fees

UM SPH's non-refundable processing fee is $60 for domestic applicants and $75 for International. This is in addition to the SOPHAS fee, and is paid electronically through SOPHAS in the Additional Questions section of the application. You may apply to 2 different programs at UM SPH with 1 processing fee.

  • Make sure that your pop-up blocker is turned off when paying the UM SPH Application fee through SOPHAS, or copy and paste the link into your browser.

Specialized Fee Waiver Groups: Prospective students, who verify their participation with one of the following groups and who are applying for admission in the next academic year to UM SPH are eligible for an application fee waiver. Each fee waiver is subject to approval. Verification from SOPHAS that validates each student's participation with the specialized fee waiver group should be submitted with their admission application.

  • McNair Scholars
  • Project 1000
  • Leadership Alliance

Credentials for Application

UM SPH applications are not complete without the following:

Also see SOPHAS application requirements and instructions (for official transcripts, etc.) Note that UM SPH departments look for different prerequisites and additional information. Refer to department websites.

Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts from any institutions at which they have completed post-secondary coursework directly to SOPHAS. This is regardless of the length of study, number of credits earned, or whether or not a degree was awarded. Official transcripts are documents with an official University or College credential such as a seal or signature from a dean or registrar. Transcripts must be received by SOPHAS directly from the institution in a sealed envelope. You do not need to submit a second copy of your official transcript to UMSPH Admissions.

Please submit transcripts to SOPHAS via:
SOPHAS Transcript Department
P.O. Box 9111, Watertown, MA 02471

International Transcripts

Individuals submitting transcripts from an international academic institution must first submit their transcripts to World Education Services (WES) for a course-by-course credential evaluation. WES will then submit your evaluated transcripts directly to SOPHAS. Document-by-document evaluations will not suffice. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least on month in advance of the application deadline.

Applicants submitting international transcripts are urged to first create a SOPHAS application, and receive their 11 digit SOPHAS ID. Then, visit the WES website for SOPHAS applications, and fill out the online WES-SOPHAS application. You are not required to submit a second copy of your official transcript to UM SPH.

Applicants who are residing in the U.S. at the time of application but completed their academic training in a non-U.S. institution must adhere to all application requirements outlined for International Applicants.

Essays

Statement of Purpose (Required):

This statement should be a concise, well-written essay about your educational background and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in public health, specifically the area of study you wish to follow. This essay should be approximately 1500 words in length. You should give information about:

  • Your background as it pertains to your academic and professional goals.
  • The motivating influences that stimulated interest in your specific discipline.
  • Your future career goals and objectives.
  • Indicate how an advanced degree will help to achieve your educational and career objectives.

Personal Statement:

(This is required for Epidemiology and Biostatistics; it is optional for Health Behavior and Health Education, Health Management and Policy, and Environmental Health Sciences) This should be a brief description of your background and any personal experiences relevant to your interest in the field of public health or UM SPH. This essay should be approximately 500 words in length.

Resume or CV (Optional):

Applicants may upload a resume or CV directly to SOPHAS via their online application. No cover letter is required.

Letters of Recommendation

We require 3 letters of recommendation from either academic (i.e. a professor) or professional (i.e. a supervisor) sources. We do not accept personal references. These letters should be submitted electronically via SOPHAS. Once you input your recommender’s contact information into SOPHAS, SOPHAS will contact them directly with instructions for filling out the online recommendation and uploading their letters. You may designate more than 3 recommenders through SOPHAS, but there is no guarantee that the admissions committee will read more than 3 of the letters you submit.

Test Scores

All M.P.H. and M.H.S.A. applicants must submit test scores. We accept the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT depending upon the program you are applying to. Please note which exams are acceptable according for the program you are applying to. We do not accept the DAT or LSAT.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): All programs accept General GRE scores taken within the last five years.Test scores should be submitted electronically to institution code 1954; there is no need to enter a department code.

Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT): The Health Management & Policy department will also accept the GMAT in lieu of the GRE. Our code is SN1-J6-70 and the scores are routed through the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is acceptable for all programs except Health Management and Policy and Biostatistics. HMP only accepts MCAT scores from individuals who are eligible for its dual M.D./M.P.H. program. MCAT scores may be submitted electronically to SOPHAS. No code is used.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam is required for applicants whose native language is not English. Please refer to the English Requirements for minimum TOEFL score requirements and information on other English Proficiency Exams accepted. Applicants must submit an official score both to SOPHAS via SOPHAS in Massachusetts (#5688) and the University of Michigan Institution Code 1839.