Free Tool · 2026-2027 SOPHAS Cycle
MPH Application Timeline Planner
How Far Ahead Should You Start Your MPH Application?
Start about three months before your earliest deadline. SOPHAS advises requesting transcripts 10 to 12 weeks ahead, submitting 6 to 8 weeks ahead and checking your status from 4 to 6 weeks out, because verification can take up to 10 business days. Add your programs below to get a dated plan and a calendar file.
SOPHAS or Direct: Know Your Route First
Of the MPH programs on this site, 243 take applications through SOPHAS, the shared application run by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, and 208 use the school's own application. The route changes your timeline: SOPHAS verifies your coursework before programs see it, which adds up to 10 business days after your application is complete. A direct application goes straight to the school. Each program page on this site lists its route; the SOPHAS guide covers the process step by step.
What Each Step Involves
- Transcripts. SOPHAS accepts official transcripts sent electronically through Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse, or mailed by your registrar. Unofficial or student-issued copies are rejected. Foreign coursework needs a course-by-course WES evaluation sent by WES.
- Recommendations. Request at least 3 and up to 5; programs need 2 or 3 completed. SOPHAS emails your recommenders as soon as you request, and you set the date you need them by.
- Transcript entry. You enter every US and English-Canadian course yourself, which takes longer than most people expect. Start it while transcripts are on their way.
- Submit, then verify. You can submit before documents arrive. Verification starts once your application is Complete and can take up to 10 business days.
Admission requirements themselves (GPA, statements, GRE) differ by school; the MPH admission requirements guide and the no-GRE MPH list help you plan for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should You Start an MPH Application?
Work back from your earliest deadline. SOPHAS advises requesting official transcripts 10 to 12 weeks before the deadline, submitting 6 to 8 weeks before it, and checking your application status from 4 to 6 weeks out. Verification can take up to 10 business days after your application is marked Complete.
How Much Does SOPHAS Cost for Several Programs?
$155 for the first program and $65 for each added program in the 2026-2027 cycle. Some schools charge their own supplemental fee on top.
Can You Submit SOPHAS Before Transcripts Arrive?
Yes. You can submit before transcripts, recommendations or official test scores arrive, but your application isn't verified until the required documents are in, so submit early enough to leave time for verification before each program's deadline.
When Does the 2026-2027 SOPHAS Cycle Close?
The cycle opened August 12, 2026 and closes August 2, 2027. Each program's own deadline comes earlier, and that is the date that counts.