epistudent

I hope you see this message! The U of T program is really truly course based. I am currently in Epi and had classes of 90 people. It is an undergrad style program. You really need to dig your heels in and find opportunities and connections, because they are a disorganized MPH factory that is not very concerned about the learning experience. If you are thinking of U of T, you should also know that the admissions rate is about to double, leading to even larger classes. This is because they want to make more jobs for PhD students (as told to me by a faculty member). This is NOT because they have the capacity, as even now they cannot afford the software required for some courses (STATA or ArcGIS). If you just want the letters, go for it. And yeah, the school is well connected. ut it si hard ot make good on those connections as one of 260 people in the MPH program. I just wish someone would have told me that the class style would be call and response into a crowd, just like undergrad.

It's important to understand that adcomms are sometimes PhD students. I am at U of T in the MPH and about half the students are FRESH out of undergrad, though this program was touted as being to experienced professionals in the field. I asked a faculty member who explained that a lot of the staff didn't care to sit on the adcomm so they had their PhD's review the applications. PhDs are potentially looking for people like them, fresh out, who they think would be strong students. It was shocking that it's other students who are selecting students to admit, not the staff who appreciate the value of work experience.

Hey Guys- I am currently MPH Epi stream at U of T. If you have any questions feel free to email. I got a letter in April about the program, though I have some friends who only got them in June/July. Also, U of T is DOUBLING the size of their programs for 2013 Fall. I am already in classes with 90 people. My cohort refers to our program as an undergrad because that is the teaching style. It is disorganized and disjointed. If you want the traditional masters program, with relationships with profs and access to opportunities, this may not be it. If you want to get some letters and not much else then go for it. Just important to know that this is becoming and MPH factory, not a program.

I was working at a job making 3 times what I do now as a student and it was great! No doubt it's hard to go back! But, like my peers who were also working, there are two major reasons to leave: 1) Timing. If you are flexible now, no spouse and no kids, then GO WHILE YOU CAN. We all know lots of people who hear that we are going back to school and they say "yeah, do it now while you can. I wish I would have gone but now with the family..." Being broke is not so hard when you don't have to answer to anyone. 2) Career path. Eventually many of us will tap out on the career ladder without the degree we need. That is why we are looking at grad school in the first place. The job market is getting more and more crowded and sometimes we need the right background to be really good at out work. I came because I needed the knowledge base I'm getting. If it's a choice of going now or hitting a glass ceiling and going later, now seems better to me. It's hard to come back and be broke, but it's also fun. You won't be going to fancy restaurants and you may have to live in shared housing. That's life! Just have a good attitude about how ridiculous it is and find some previously employed students to commiserate with. Being away from work has actually been really helpful for re-grounding me and giving me space to ask big questions about what I want out of life. And it's exposed me to a bunch of new opportunities. You'll be broke, but you don't have to be miserable. And hey, it's always fun to have a laugh at the kids who are in the program fresh out of undergrad and living at mom and dad's. They are so easily impressed by our financial planning and tastes