Burkis
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Posts posted by Burkis
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by chance has anyone heard from UWO regarding the MSc in Epi?
Last year I heard back ~beginning of May. Not certain which round that was but tuition + stipend was offered (perhaps everyone receives full funding???).
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I think I will end up debating between the admission from my dream program VS admission + funding from a program that I don't really want to attend. That's the reality.
That doesn't sound good
Perhaps it's best to defer for a year (as was suggested to another poster), save up and go to your dream school (with loans in tow) rather than saddling up with a program you dislike. You may feel resentful throughout the program if you dislike it from the start. -
2. University sites usually provided this info~ Oxford mentions this info. Most US schools require you to submit GRE scores and outline any extra steps required for "international" applicants to be accepted to their programs.
3. There are some funding opportunities open to Canadians but it depends on what you want to study, where you want to study (which university) and what your grades are like.
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What an inspiring and helpful thread!
My story: When I graduated with a very low, sub-3.0 GPA from McGill I pretty much felt devastated. My grades made a perfect "U": strong at the start, weak in the middle and strong again at the end once I switched programs. Most advisors made me feel like a leper once they looked at my transcript and never bothered to ask what happened. One advisor even laughed and said, "I guess science isn't your strong suit" in a room filled with other students.
I applied to an MA program at an OK school, made a great connection with my POI, had my travel costs paid so that I could visit, but was rejected in the end due to my marks and received a rude letter from the program's coordinator. My POI told me that my only hope would be to complete another bachelor degree. I relocated to my hometown, completed a funded-MA at a local, no-name university, and pretty much thought that might be the end of things. However, since graduating from undergrad four years earlier I had managed to rack up significant experience in my field through research work, UN positions, and government opportunities while completing my MA. I took the GREs, did horribly, applied to two PhD programs and was rejected, but I had applied mainly to my dream schools and not programs where my research interests were a good fit so I wasn't entirely surprised.
Despite my poor undergraduate GPA I knew that I still wanted to attend programs at well regarded, internationally recognized universities. I gave things another shot last year, spent a great deal of time researching schools, wrote more refined and honest research proposals/statements including an explanation of my poor grades, secured stronger references, and made contact with POIs. I secured interviews for good doctoral programs at universities such as LSHTM and Oxford and in the end I was accepted to 3 out of the 5 programs that I applied to, including one school which only accepted 36 out of 330 applicants.
Bottom line: If you have a low undergrad GPA, do not give up hope. 1. Try to rack up some relevant work experience, 2. spend time researching schools/programs, 3. reach out to POIs, 4. write a killer statement of purpose/proposal, and 5. secure strong LoR.
- kurumi2117, midnight and Hanyuye
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I doubt that they will take into account your age. As long as your qualifications are good and you submit a great application you shouldn't have a problem.
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Same for health promotion on all counts. We do have more flexibility though (fewer required classes) and so can take things that allow for more 1-1 instruction (reading courses with 1 prof or independent research).
I found out about UBC last year on the last day of Feb. They're the earliest I think.
I'm in UofT HP. I found out last year in late March. I got an entrance scholarship so presumably was among the first round of offers.
Agreed. UBC sends out first round unofficial acceptances as early as two weeks after the deadline (~Valentine's Day in 2012) so applicants should start to hear back soon. Good luck to all of you
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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.
That's unfortunate to hear
Thank you for sharing this information with others; I am sure they will find it helpful to know. I hope you are getting at least some enjoyment from the programme though (interesting classes?). -
I thought I'd join in on the forum! I've applied to the public health programs at UBC and McGill. I'm only applying to the two so I'm quite nervous! I guess we all have to wait for another 3 months or so until we find out about acceptances.
UBC has a great program though its quite competitive! I was accepted at UBC last year and McGill is my alma mater. Best of luck with the outcomes of your applications.
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Hello everyone, congratulations to all for making it to LSHTM!
This is my first post here. I'm quite interested in studying MSc Public Health at LSHTM. Could you please tell me what your background is (your undergraduate major, GPA, work experience, etc.)?
I am a recent graduate (from Canada) with Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry. My cumulative GPA is 3.3. I do not really have experience in Public Health (other than shadowing doctors/dentists, helping out at a breast cancer awareness booth and giving a little speech to the audience). I have also volunteered for one month in rural India teaching women and children basic sanitation and hygiene. I have lots of teaching experience (but I'm not sure how that can be of help in Public Health). I recently did a summer school in Physics and Neurosciences at Oxford and Cambridge (3 weeks). Do I stand any chance?
Please advice!
Thanks!
Your best bet is to make contact with a LSHTM prof whose research interests you and ask his/her opinion. Best of luck!
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Sounds awful. I'm currently collaborating on an article with a prof at Dal and she made it clear from the onset that I would be first author. We've run into other headaches since then but order of authorship has remained firm. Best of luck.
OK, scratch what I just said. Just finished drafting an article as first aurthor. A prof did a bit of "editing" afterwards. Same prof just invited some other prof to place his name on the paper as well even though I previously objected to that idea because that prof has contributed nothing to the write-up of the article and his name will not lend anything to it. Writing sucks.
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There is certainly a lot of back story and- i sadly admit - a history of tension between my advisor and myself. I don't always agree with the way he handles himself with his students (my labmates) and myself. Knowing this history, and his personality...for me, I think it is better to back off. I have been mulling this over a lot lately, and the majority of the stress comes from knowing his personality, demeaner, and his reactions to students who question him.
I think this has been a really great learning experience, and certainly in the future I will (1) get clear and written details on authorship, duties, and expectations; and (2) limit my outside collaborations with him. Being within an interdisiciplinary program, I think I am at an advantage as my project is only slightly inline with his expertise and background...this gives me the opportunity to find potential collaborations with outside faculty that might meet my interests a bit better.
And honestly, he's so hot and cold and in and out that when it comes to submitting it to the journal, he might say "No, this is yours" and change it.
Sounds awful. I'm currently collaborating on an article with a prof at Dal and she made it clear from the onset that I would be first author. We've run into other headaches since then but order of authorship has remained firm. Best of luck.
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Yup, costs are certainly crippling
I am applying again this year with the hope of securing funding this time around from a variety of sources. -
Hi everyone! I know there are a few people who applied to the epi program at UWO...Has anyone heard back??? I was interviewed by a faculty member some time ago and haven't heard anything! I am hoping no news is good news.
Yes, but I will be declining my spot.
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Declined UBC, UofA and will be declining UWO too so spots will be opening up for someone on the waiting list. I am starting a DPhil next year and will spend the rest of this year working.
Good luck with your programmes! This has been a great thread.
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For members who were accepted to UofA, did you all have interviews? I was never contacted for one, but received an offer of admission and I am now starting to get concerned that maybe I missed an email or something!
Congrats! I wouldn't worry about it if the end result was still an offer of admission.
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That's great! Did you manage to secure funding?
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Hey! I didn't formally accept yet. I asked to let them know after the deadline. Their deadline to accept or decline was April 13. I asked for a extention to April 24. I got an email back saying that's fine. But then a week later I received the scholarship email but I must respond by April 20th. Most likely will be declining. Just waiting on my official acceptance from UofT.
OK, I see. I also asked for an extension because I just had an interview with my top choice and am waiting to hear back. Best of luck with waiting it out!
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Hi everyone! I sent an email to check my status and got an email back saying I've been accepted To UoFT MPH for epidemiology and will get an email soon. My question is does this mean I have to send an official transcript? Her email did not say anything about this.
I also reviewed a 5000 dollar scholarship from Ualberta that I will most likely be rejecting if my acceptance from UofT is confirmed. They told me I must respond by April 20.
Did you receive the scholarship offer after you formally accepted their offer (Alberta) ?
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Thanks. Emailed my hopeful soon-to-be supervisor and she was able to give me good news. No news on funding there yet though.
Glad to hear it! You're on a roll. Best of luck.
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Hi Lilac, I received my official acceptance email and mail. I was accepted on March 1st.
I also want to share that I was invited yesterday to do a 10min telephone interview with the Uni of Alberta MPH-Global Health focus. Is anyone else doing this? I am just wondering how it's going to be like... I don't know what you can say in 10min...
Same here. 10 minute interview with UofA. Good Luck to us!
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Hey guys,
I'm planning on applying to the UBC MPH program this upcoming year and wanted to know for those of you who have been accepted, what kind of gpas did you have (all 300/400 level)?
Thanks!
Not such a strong GPA but a few years of relevant work experience with international organizations + really good references.
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I did email Oxford and got a fairly terse, seemingly form letter from the English grad department saying they would be sending letters out near the end of this month (March) so they could not guarentee a response by the 15th.
The 15 thousand is from a community foundation scholarship that provides founding to University of Alberta grads (which I am) to want to attend Oxford. (Pending my acceptance, of course).
Another update: U of T accepted me with a $23,000/year offer and given me until April 1st.
Sorry, I should have specified that you should contact your potential supervisor at Oxford, if you've already lined one up. Looks like things are working out well for you though; $23, 000 from UofT is awesome!
MPH CANADA FALL 2013 APPLICANTS
in Public Health Forum
Posted · Edited by Burkis
Depends on where you want to work and what you want to do. Your employment options will always be limited if you have no/limited work experience. MPH programs provide an opportunity to gain real life experience through a practicum and this is especially helpful for those with limited experience. I've worked alongside folks with MSc, MPH, etc at international organizations and none of them have suffered financially because of their degrees. I haven't received my public health degree yet but I recently interviewed for a public health position with a starting salary range of $85,000-$105,000 so definitely think about what you might like to do after you graduate and decide which degree will best prepare you for that role.