I just checked my portal for the University of Saskatchewan and I also got the Department Recommend - Conditional! I assume this means that we will be accepted as long as everything works out okay and the CGPS also agrees to admit us.
Since I know some of you will be interested, here are my stats:
- Bachelors of Science in Animal Health
- Last 2 years (60 credits) GPA: 3.6
- cGPA - ~3.2
- Experience - No direct public health related experience. No research experience. The only work experience I have is working in animal shelters and kennels, as well as with a catering company. I have some experience doing conferences and public speeches/forums - I'm disabled so I speak on my disability at these events.
- LOI - I had a really nice prof write a letter for me. The other two were from my bosses at the same catering company (who would have really vouched for me).
- Statement of Intent - I wrote a lot about my interest in studying the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases.
I genuinely did not think I would get into school anywhere this cycle, so this is a bit of a surprise. I'm fresh out of my undergrad, barely have any experience, and have a good GPA but one that could have been better. Heres what I think sold me as an applicant:
- My background in Animal Health and my interest in studying zoonotic diseases. The U of S has a great vet school and they collaborate with the MPH program quite often, so I think this made me a really unique student for the program.
- Even though my GPA for the last 2 years was a 3.6 - I had a GPA of 3.9 for my last 3 semesters. Literally got all A's. I decided that this is what I really wanted and put my all into it.
- I took 2 courses at U of A's MPH program and did really well in them. I think it showed the admissions committee that I can handle a masters level course load and that I was truly interested in the material.
- Really great LOI's. I literally bent over backwards at my catering job (16 hour days and enormous amounts of physical labour for minimum wage) and I think my bosses really appreciated it and gave me excellent letters.
Other than that... I don't know. Some of you have really great stats and experience and you get rejected and I am always shocked! It seems like its all just luck. I truly applied with no expectations - I was almost 95% sure that I was going to be rejected, but thought that it couldn't hurt to try. So, don't give up!
