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Applying

Review these instructions for applying to a public health program.

Submitting Your Application

Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) is the centralized application service for public health programs that allows students to:

  • Apply to a majority of the accredited schools of public health.
  • Access a directory of programs.
  • Learn about the degrees offered and requirements.
  • Register their letters of recommendation writers.
  • Write personal essays/statements for specific programs.

SOPHAS applicants should thoroughly review the FAQ section before starting their application.

Coursework Entry Instructions

  • SOPHAS Coursework instructions:  Northwestern students must convert their Northwestern credit units to quarter hours for each Northwestern course they enter in the SOPHAS coursework section. One Northwestern credit = 4 quarter hours.
  • If a direct or supplemental application requires you to list your Northwestern coursework in terms of semester hours, use the following conversion: One Northwestern credit = 2.7 semester hours (if they require 2 decimals places, then one Northwestern credit = 2.66 semester hours). The Northwestern course unit conversion can always be found on the back page of your official Northwestern transcript.

Direct Application

Non-SOPHAS programs may require you to apply directly to their programs.

Supplemental Application

Many SOPHAS participating schools may also require additional materials and supplemental applications sent directly to their institutions.

Letters of Recommendation

  • Although HPA provides a recommendation file service, applicants applying through SOPHAS should use the SOPHAS letters service and not the HPA service.
  • If applying to a non-SOPHAS participating program, applicants should check each school's specific directions regarding letters or recommendation.

Deadlines

Check with each program regarding their specific deadlines.

Accelerated Public Health Program

The Accelerated Public Health Program (APHP) at Northwestern University provides high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees in five years. Students in this selective program will have access to early MPH Program acceptance, specialized advising, the opportunity to complete their MPH field experience abroad, and exemption from the GRE requirement for MPH admissions. Undergraduates from every Northwestern school and major are eligible to apply. Northwestern University students apply for admission in the winter quarter of their junior year.