MaxiJaz

Thanks for your help! After going through the forums, I think I'm going to stick with a dress shirt and pants, and skip the jacket. I figure I'll still seem like I put in the effort without trying to overcompensate.

Hi everyone, I apologize if this is going to be a redunant post, but I wasn't able to find a post that was specific to my question. Hope I can get some quick help here. I have an interview coming up in a health research program with the Director of the program, and I am confused as to whether I would need to wear a tie or suit. Yes, I have strongly believed in the universal advice that it's better to overdress than underdress, and it gives a good impression...but are ties and suits a bit too overdressed for science and health interviews? The reason I've gotten to this stage of cofusion is because I've been advised by the most recent supervisor I worked with that I was a bit too overdressed at a presentation I gave to my research supervisor and referees (I wore a tie). Before then, I've always worn a tie and that instance confused me. I've leaned towards not wearing one since.Prior to this upcoming interview, I have met 1-on-1 with prospective supervisors for this course with a dress shirt but no tie, and I didn't feel awkward. Does anyone think it would not be worth taking the risk of not wearing a tie? Part 2..the suit jacket issue. I live in Canada (Ontario) and it's relatively cold as you can imagine. I will have to go to the interview wearing a winter coat regardless, so is it worth wearing a suit jacket under? I don't see the point. I would appreciate any help, as sadly, I fulfill the usual stereotypes of a scientist (in the making) with no dress-sense whatsoever.

Thanks for the info. I'm from Canada and we don't need the GREs over here, hence I haven't bothered to sit it yet....I also prefer to stay here at this moment in my life. I wonder if the biggest difference to our degrees, at least at the classes/curriculum level would be the different views on how healthcare should be applied (we're so much more socialist). Let me know how your app goes! Have you thought of what kind of research you might be interested in pursuing? I was always drawn towards research, as my background is in the sciences. A HSR is so much more interdisciplinary, which is particularly important for understanding health. I applied with an interest in Health Outcomes, particularly in cardiovascular disease rehabilitation. Big day on the 9th (Interview).

Awesome. Congrats surefire!... I'm sure you'll have access to a great research network in Toronto and city isn't half bad. I was previously at McGill and Western, and from what I've seen at UofT, I think the grad facilities are probably the best I've seen. I'm applying to the HPME institute (Health Policy,Management and Evaluation) at U of T.....anyone else?

Hey everyone. I apologize for reopening a year old thread, but I thought the title of this one suits my question nicely and saves me the hassle of adding another post on a similar topic (I'm OCD that way). I haven't read too many posts on applications to Health Services Research programs on the forums. I'm applying to a MSc. program in Health Services Research with a view to moving on to the PhD stream that the schools I have applied offer (in Canada). I have an interview in 3 weeks at the University of Toronto, after already meeting with prospective supervisors and getting their go-ahead to take me on. I was wondering how people have found the interview process in the past/what the adcomm looks for (I have a biology background) and how present students in the program find it. I would love any feedback.

Congratulations to everyone who got accepted or interviewed (although I assume you're back to the waiting stage). I finally heard back from the department after my initial phone call to the course secretary. They've invited me to an interview next month with the Program and Institute Directors. I feel better knowing I wasn't rejected outright, now the hard part starts...channeling my enthusiasm for this program so that they see it.

I had an interview request last year where I was sent a generic e-mail by the course secretary that I would be interviewed by the course director. I read up on all her research interests, which were from a completely unrelated topic to my own, but I thought it would impress her. When I turned up for the interview, it turned out that I was greeted by one of the three potential supervisors I had listed on my statement of intent to the program. The worst part was that these three had many similarities and differences to my own interests, and it was difficult to gage what exactly his own interests were and I couldn't remember off-hand. I think he realized it at the interview. I was pretty ticked off by the sneakiness of the admissions committee. My advice would be to be familiar with what you want to pursue and if you put down any people you wanted to work with, be prepared to be interviewed by them or those with similar interests/potential supervisors.

As a kid I wanted to be an oilman (petroleum engineer). This came from growing up in oil-rich countries, moving around a lot and living in compounds. I thought it would be fun 'looking for oil' and striking it rich and maybe having bowling aisles in my living room...think the Beverley Hillbillies. Ultimately all the math scared me off.

So as I had an interview with the program a week this time last year, I couldn't stand the wait, so I called the program this morning. Spoke to the course secretary and asked her the status of the applications. When she initially said that interviews are currently being conducted, my heart sank. Then I asked her if it was for all candidates, and I'm not sure if she was trying to lift my hopes or being honest, but said that they interview at different stages depending on availabilities of faculty (phew?). Anyway, I let her know that I had already talked to potential supervisors, gave her the names and she said to e-mail her my name and those supervisors and she will look into my file. Haven't heard anything yet, but I hope she sends it off to the course director/whoever reads my app...I'll post back when I hear how it goes.

One of the schools I applied to has a complicated, two-part application entry system, which seem to be mutually exclusive from the other and once every section on both forms are completed, a button should pop-up where I can finally submit the form. After completing each section carefully and diligently, I found that the button wasn't showing, and it happened to be the day of the deadline. I tried calling the school but didn't get a reply, sent numerous e-mails, even mailed them via post. I eventually gave up, and held onto the belief that they would have to accept it as I paid the fee (right?). Turned out that the school was in the midst of a staff strike, which they conveniently told me a few days after the deadline, and would be updating the system later, where some smurf hadn't updated my records so that I could submit everything. Bah! So many sleepless nights.

PTPS: I was in a similar situation to you last year. I was waiting on a program that had not gotten back to me in months while considering my options from other programs. I eventually sent a polite e-mail to the secretary of the program asking for the status of my application, and letting her know that this would allow me to form a decision etc. She forwarded it to the program director, who got back to me. TL;DR: I think it's perfectly fine to e-mail the program and ask for your status, as they will understand your predicament. It worked for me.

Hey everyone, I've been a very passive user of this forum for a the last year and a bit but never got around to posting. This is my second time of applying to the Masters of Health Services Research program (HPME) at UofT. I got an interview last year, but fudged that up big time, and after some introspection, realized that I needed to take a year off, beef up the CV and prepare myself mentally. After applying again this year, I'm in a much better situation come interview time, good working experience in a relevant field and already a go-ahead from two potential supervisors after meeting them, I'm just waiting for an offer for an interview....which is killing me, like most people on this post I guess. My question is this: Last year I got my interview invitation on Feb 4th for an interview on the 18th of the month, but this year I haven't heard anything yet. I'm worried that things weren't so successful and I dread checking my mailbox everyday. Otherwise, it is tempting to give the course secretary a call....does anyone think I should call and ask what state the application process is? I figure it won't do any harm if I call anonymously, or are there other ways to find out? I'm ageing very quickly with this waiting process!