M.S. in International
Health Policy and Management
Admissions:
Frequent Questions
- ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATIONS QUESTIONS
- PROGRAM RELATED QUESTIONS
- THE SID ENVIRONMENT
- ENROLLMENT and FINANCIAL AID
QUESTIONS
- VISA QUESTIONS
1. ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
QUESTIONS
When does the MS/IHPM Program begin?
The MS/IHPM Program begins with mandatory orientation in late August.
Do you have a part time program?
No, we do not enroll students on a part time basis.
May I enroll in the
program in the Spring semester?
Due to course sequencing, all Master of Science students must enroll in the Fall semester.
Is
there a deadline for applying to the MS/IHPM?
The MS Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis.
Admissions decisions are generally made by mid-February, and applicants
are notified as decisions are made. It is in your interest to apply
early, particularly if you are applying for financial aid from SID
or third
party sources. Many scholarship agencies require an official letter
of acceptance from your program.
What do I need to do to apply to the
MS/IHPM?
To apply for admission, you will need to submit an application form,
curriculum vitae/resume, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation
(one professional, one academic, and the third professional or academic)
with accompanying Brandeis University Recommendation forms, official
transcripts of your undergraduate and any graduate record, proof
of English proficiency if English is not your native language, and
a $55
application
fee. Official scores from either the GRE or GMAT tests are preferred,
but not required. Contact Admissions for an application package or
download the application materials from this website. Detailed instructions
on
applying can be found in the Admissions section of the SID website.
Can
the application fee be waived?
The application fee is waived for applicants from developing nations
as well as current and returned Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and City
Year volunteers. There is no fee waiver form to fill out.
When will
I hear about my application status?
Your application cannot be reviewed until all necessary documents
are received. We will notify you by email only when your application
is
complete. Applications are generally decided upon by mid-February,
and applicants
will be notified as decisions are made.
Do I need to take any
standardized tests such as the GRE or GMAT?
Although it is preferred that applicants submit official scores
from either the GRE or GMAT tests, it is not an MS/IHPM application
requirement.
Do I need to take an English language test?
International applicants to the MS Program are required
to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as part of their application. While
we do
not have a
minimum score requirement, we seek to assess your ability
to undertake graduate
work in the English medium. In certain situations, alternate
certification of English proficiency documentation may be
acceptable. The applicant
should inquire with the Admissions Office if they feel that
the test requirement should be waived.
I have submitted my application
but have not yet taken the TOEFL or IELTS. Will my application be considered?
If English is not your first language, SID cannot finalize
the review of your application without an score or
other English
certification.
Is an on-campus interview
required?
Although an interview is strongly recommended, the MS/IHPM application does not
require one as part of the review process.
Am I required to have health experience
before I apply?
At least two to three years of health experience
is preferred.
Am I required to have taken any specific undergraduate
courses such as Economics?
No, SID does not require applicants to have specific
courses on their transcripts. SID students who have
background course work
in Economics
or Ecology may be eligible to waive some requirements
in
these areas, but these courses are not mandatory
for admission.
What part of the application does the
Admissions Committee consider most important?
The Admissions Committee considers all aspects of
the application to be important, including your
academic and professional
background, transcripts, letters of recommendation,
and the Statement of
Purpose.
Can you provide me with a preliminary assessment
of my chances to gain admittance to your program?
Many factors are considered when determining
who will be admitted to our program, so it is
not possible
to
provide
a preliminary
assessment.
Do you have Information Sessions or
Open Houses that I can attend to receive more information?
SID begins scheduling information sessions in
October each year. Please check our website
for the dates
of the next
sessions.
If I visit, can I talk to a professor
or a current student or sit in on a class?
Please contact the Admissions Office, and
we will schedule meetings with professors,
students, and class
visits whenever
possible. We
aim to make campus visits enjoyable and informative.
Please contact Heller Admissions (HellerAdmissions@Brandeis.edu)
for more information.
2. PROGRAM RELATED QUESTIONS
Is it possible to be waived from prerequisite courses?
Yes, it is possible to be waived from the Economics or Ecology required
courses if you have completed equivalent coursework and can demonstrate
competency in the specific area. The decision to waive a student out
of a class is made by the program in writing after a review of each
case.
Do you accept transfer credits from other institutions?
No, SID does not accept transfer credits.
Is it possible to take courses
in other Brandeis departments or other universities?
Yes, SID students may take elective courses at The Heller School
for Social Policy and Management, the International Business School,
and
the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Brandeis. SID students
may also take courses at other universities that are members of the
Boston
area university consortium. The number of courses taken outside of
SID and the university is limited and all such courses must be approved
by
the SID course counselor.
3. THE SID ENVIRONMENT
How many students are in SID?
This academic year, SID has 85 first year students and 79 second year students.
In total, 67% of the SID students are international, and come from over 50 countries.
Does Brandeis provide computers
for student use?
Yes, there are numerous computers on campus available for student
use in the Heller building, Goldfarb/Farber libraries, and Shapiro
Student
Center.
How far away are Boston and Cambridge?
Brandeis University is located approximately 10 miles from Boston and
6 miles from Cambridge, which are both easily accessible by the commuter
rail and buses that stop at Brandeis.
Is graduate student housing
available?
Graduate student housing is available primarily for international
students. Graduate student housing cannot accommodate families.
4. ENROLLMENT AND FINANCIAL
AID QUESTIONS
How much will graduate studies cost me for the first year and second
year?
You can view the estimated costs of study at SID in the Admissions section
of the website.
Does SID award scholarships?
Yes, SID awards financial aid in the form of partial tuition remission.
The amount awarded varies according to need, merit, and the availability
of funds. Except in cases of announced Fellowships, SID does not award
any financial aid for living expenses.
Do I need to complete an SID financial
aid form?
To apply for financial aid, please answer the two questions under “Finance
Support” on the last page of the SID application. No other forms
are required. SID does not require the CSSS profile.
How do I get information
on loans?
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are eligible
for some loans by completing and submitting the FAFSA form. For information
on FAFSA, please contact The Heller School (HellerAdmissions@Brandeis.edu)
or visit the FAFSA website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
What is the Title
IV code for loans?
The code is 002133.
Can international students apply for financial aid?
International students are eligible for SID scholarship consideration
but cannot apply for U.S. government loans through FAFSA. There are
limited loan sources available to international students who have
a co-signer
who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Are Teaching Assistantships
available?
Very few are available. Teaching Assistantships are announced in the
spring preceding the academic year you would arrive on campus and require
a substantial background in the specific field.
Can my tuition assistance
be increased?
SID is unable to raise the level of your scholarship award at this
time. Scholarship awards may be reviewed in mid April if there is space
in
the August 2004 class. Keep in mind that we offer no assurance that
an award will be increased.
I have missed the Fellowship deadlines. Can I
still apply to the SID Program?
SID will accept applications until all spaces are filled in the August
2004 class.
If I cannot find the funds to study at SID this year, can
I defer my admission to next year?
SID will review your request to defer your admission for one year.
Deferrals are usually granted, but please keep in mind that it will
be up to you
to reactivate your file in September, and remember that any tuition
scholarship offer does not automatically carry over to the next year.
I want to pay
my $200 deposit – to whom should I make the check
out? Can I pay by credit card?
The check should be made out to Brandeis University/SID Program. The
university does not accept payments by credit card. For complete information
and details please visit http://www.brandeis.edu/controller/bursar.
5. VISA QUESTIONS
Do you have advice for me before I apply for my visa?
For information on applying for your visa, please visit the website of
the International Students and Scholar’s Office (ISSO) at http://www.brandeis.edu/isso.
Should
I submit page 1 of the Visa Declaration Form if I do not have all
my funding?
No. Do not submit your Visa Declaration Form until it is complete
(pages 1 and 2) but do notify the Admissions Office that you will
be late in
submitting the form and that you would like to request an extension
of the deadline date stated in your admission letter.
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