sickening_wreck

As excruciating as the pain is, it is still early in the game. It's March, and most decisions go until June. It's good to find healthy ways to process the information but we shouldn't let go just yet. I went for a walk after reading this thread  Called a loved on and expressed my frustration, they listened and sometimes just hearing the "it's okay" is good enough to get through the day. After work I'll go for a run or exercise to make sure I don't fall into any self criticizing thoughts and it'll be okay.
Most of the PI's I've worked with often share the story of how they applied to multiple schools and got rejected at most, waitlisted at a few but there was always one that accepted them, which is why they are where they are. 
Though I am skeptical of my admission this year, it's okay. That feeling is fair, but there is also room for hope  

This is such a sweet reply, thank you for writing this.
I'm at work stressfully checking this thread as well. But you're right in everything you've said!
Goodluck to you! I hope you get into your top choice! 

Personally, I think it is best to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.  Applicants haven’t been rejected yet, since only the first wave of acceptances have been sent out, but, as a UofT MPH grad, I think it is best to consider yourself on a wait list right now if you haven’t received an acceptance.  Putting your life on hold because you haven’t yet been accepted or rejected is not a good idea.  Planning for the future, in case you are rejected, is the best approach.
I’m still waiting on a decision from Queen’s re: two PhD programs. If I assumed I would be accepted, I wouldn’t be doing anything right now to improve my application or to ensure that I remain licensed as a registered dietitian.  As I don’t have an answer yet, I am proceeding as if I were rejected (even though I haven’t been), and securing myself employment in my field so that I can maintain my registration.
I think it’s good advice to start planning for the future, in case an acceptance doesn’t come through.  If people later receive an acceptance, that’s awesome!  But I think it is very important to have back-up plans.  I was fortunate to receive admission to UofT’s MPH on the first day of acceptances, but I already had three other back-up plans prepared (including an acceptance to an MSc program) in case the MPH didn’t happen.  I think that’s prudent planning.  YMMV of course.  I like to plan and to have back-up plans so that I’m not left in limbo. Others may prefer to wait and see what happens before making alternate plans.

I'll share my stats for U of T Health Promotion:
1. Academic grades: 
Cumulative GPA of 3.8. I don't know what my last year will be since some courses are still in progress (the offer email said I have to maintain a mid-B), but I expect it will be about that. 

2. Social science background
Very strong, in sociology specialist program (I don't know what they call it at other schools, but it's like a major except more upper year/core courses).

3. A statement of intent 
I think my letter was really strong. I talked about my "journey" with learning about the social determinants of health, weaving in my research experience in it, what I hope to do in the future if I get accepted. In particular, I talked about HIV, since that is where my experience and interests lie.

4. Experience 
2 years of research experience, the last year of that was in a position where we looked at the social determinants of health (for HIV in immigrant women of colour).
I have also been doing an internship at an AIDS Service Organization doing research for them on sexual health in youth. 
 
5. Two letters of reference 
One was from my work supervisor for the HIV research position, and I actually read a previous letter he wrote and it was really excellent, so that helped.
The other letter was weaker, it was from a professor I had for one course that I happened to get an A in, and it involved a research component (the course content was heavily on the social determinants of health as well). 
 
I hope this helps and good luck to everyone who is still waiting!!!

So did I! Congrats!! Received it at about 2:45pm. I couldn't believe it since I wasn't expecting to hear for another month.