watereverywhere

I'm with ya, lightyears. I ended up choosing MIT not just because of the quality of the program (which I think is quite fantastic and really looking forward to it), but also because it's a 9month program. All my other programs were 2 years (and not in engineering), also at $50k/yr. I don't know how I'm going to pay off the loans, but I do know that having this degree will boost my credentials for future jobs and hopefully land me something decent where I can pay off my education in a few years. I'm also coming from a public university where I didn't have to pay for much due to scholarship. I'm getting nothing from MIT, but that's expected. I see it as an investment, and I'm holding off on buying a car/house, etc until my loans are paid.

chabos4 - yup! I'm Environmental, not structures, but I'm officially going (sent in my letter yesterday)

Thanks, noojens! I worked pretty hard on the SoP. My letters were from my work boss, lab coworker, and school adviser - I can't thank them enough for writing such good recs. Just goes to show you don't have to have the Dean or someone in a powerful position to write the rec - it's the actual material that counts! Ah sorry I was wrong, I was admitted to MEng (not MS!) Assuming your question is still the same - nope, no word on funding. They indicated in my admissions letter that they wouldn't be funding me. No surprise, it's only a 9 month program! I know they don't really fund many masters students. Are you inquiring about merit or need based aid?

I agree with what's been said. In addition, I know for MIT - their M.Eng requires both a group and individual project/thesis. I love this idea (probably why I'll end up there in the Fall) And you always have the option of switching from M.Eng to S.M., which is nice.

My not so stellar stats: Undergrad Institution: Public Liberal Arts University (Research University) Major(s): Environmental Health Science / Environmental Engineering (in school of public health) Minor(s): Mathematics Overall GPA: 3.24 (terrible, I know... the Env. Health Science track = Pre-med track = struggle :oops: ) Length of Degree: 4 yrs Position in Class: unranked Type of Student: Female GRE Scores: Q: 770 V: 630 W: 5.0 Research Experience: Spent 2 years in Environmental Microbiology Lab (will complete undergrad thesis from it this year), 1.5 years research in Applied Math lab, 1 year in Marine Modeling, a summer working with a LEED group, and a summer in high school in Civil Engineering (at NCSU). I know, I'm a lab-hopper, it took awhile for me to find what I wanted to do. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Multiple scholarships, Deans List a few semesters. Name on many posters from the Microbiology Lab, one from Math lab. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I've held leadership positions and/or participated in many non-math/science things...tons of student organizations, jobs as a resident adviser, tutor, played club sport for a year, etc. Applied for MEng at MIT - Civil & Environmental - Accepted! :shock: (also applied for public health masters degrees, not relevant to this thread though...)

The only Env. Eng program I applied to was MIT (all the other programs I applied to are non-engineering related) I heard of my acceptance on 3/17/2009. No funding. :cry: I'm trying not to let it bother me too much, they have very few applicants that get $$ and I'm lucky to be admitted as it is (especially coming from a non-engineering school). Anyone else attending visit day next week? I'm probably going to end up going to MIT.

I'm not sure - I know I want to do some international work eventually. My undergraduate degrees haven't really prepared me in epidemiology, I've only taken the introductory class.

Hi folks, First time poster here (but long time poster of the SDN forums - that counts, right? ) Basically, I've been admitted into several programs for Fall 09. It's a "great" dilemma to be in, I suppose, but I have no idea how I'm going to pick one, especially figuring the little funding I'm getting from most places: Hopkins - MHS International Health Yale - Chronic Disease Epidemiology Umich - General Epidemiology Boston University - Environmental Health Science (+$10k merit) UNC - Environmental Health Science (+RA/TA position) MIT - Environmental Engineering (I know this isn't public health but it's part of my dilemma) My thoughts All the schools (except UNC) basically cost the same amount per year. UNC is obviously the best deal financially, but the location isn't ideal (I've been in NC all my life). Hopkins is slightly cheaper due to their 75% tuition scholarship the practicum year (to my understanding), and the #1 SPH. MIT is a 9 month program, so drastically cheaper, but I fear that getting a Masters in Engineering would limit my job options. On the other hand, epidemiology is appealing to me (as my second major is in mathematics) - which would lead me to Umich and Yale. I've heard Umich has a pretty strong Epid program, but it is SO expensive for a public university! Really, ANY help is appreciated!