I think Hopkins has a bit of a toxic culture. They take their "#1 in public health for 20+ years" thing seriously and it makes for a very competitive group of kiddos. Which is also fair being that it's difficult to get in in the first place. I think Emory is a bit more friendly. Baltimore is a dangerous city. Atlanta isn't a ton better but it is better. Atlanta is very much so a global and public health capital. Emory's program is global and Hopkins' isn't. Georgetown is the only one that guarantees international experience but it should be possible elsewhere. DC is stupid expensive and very frat boy, mommy and daddy money kinda people who I hate. Baltimore and Atlanta are fairly cheap, Baltimore more so than Atlanta but Atlanta isn't expensive. I do think Emory is probably the best choice for me. I just need to actually play with finances some. I appealed the financial aid decisions and will hopefully hear by April 15th.

And if I work in fed or non-profit, they theoretically forgive student loans, but only after 120 qualifying monthly payments which is a decade and I'd love to not owe money for that long.