genderfemale

No, you don't need three years of relevant work experience for Waterloo, though it certainly helps. On the website, https://uwaterloo.ca/public-health-and-health-systems/future-graduate-students/professional-programs/master-public-health/master-public-health-applying, it only indicated one. However, I was accepted on probationary status this year (last year, I was wait listed, then rejected) because my grades weren't so good. Basically, for probationary status, I have to end up with a 75% average on two courses - one in the fall and one in the winter. I had a 72% average but over three years of relevant work experience. It certainly helps if you do have the grades AND the work experience. What was also different this time around was that I submitted two work references instead of one work and one academic. My grades weren't great and I graduated in 2009. I took the risk and submitted two work references, since I know my academic reference will be too general. Waterloo was also the only school that I applied to. Relevant is also highly subjective. From reading the posts on here, the majority of applicants have clinical practice or research experience. I don't have any of that. I worked in a community health centre for a year as an office manager, developing policies and working on budgets for new programs. It was more administrative in nature but had a high impact that affected the catchment area it served. I would say the selling point is my current work experience at a regulatory college. I coordinate assessments for a specific type of regulated health professionals, worked with Public Health Ontario to develop infection control policies, worked with Cancer Care Ontario to develop standards for clinics, etc. I've been in this position for a year and a half. I emphasized how much an MPH would help in my current position and how it will help get me where I want to go. I described that the MPH will give me a unique perspective, as most of my colleagues would be coming from different backgrounds. So, even with not so great marks, still apply! Just find ways to make it work. You know what your strengths are, so do play it up.

This is just based on my personal experience. I applied to Waterloo MPH last year and was waitlisted. There were 40 applicants on the list and I believe I was 17th. I kept on waiting to see if the list would have moved but after calling the Coordinator a couple of times, I knew there wasn't a chance I would get in since there was no movement because most people accepted. Hopefully it will be different for you this time around!

You have to respond two weeks from the date of the offer letter.

I just got accepted into University of Waterloo MPH!! The offer was made on April 5. This is the only school that I applied to, so I'm super stoked!

I called Waterloo regarding my application since it says no decision has been made yet. The coordinator said that the statuses can be changed from now until the end of the week if you are accepted or declined. They still haven't inputted all of the decisions made yet on Quest. If by the end of the week you don't hear back or have a decision made, call them next week to see where you are on the waiting list. *crossing my fingers*

I contacted the coordinator at Waterloo yesterday. She said that all applications have been reviewed and decisions have been made. They are just waiting for the final approval from the department. She said that everyone should hear back by mid-April. If you don't, then you are part of a small pool of applicants on the waiting list. If anyone gets in or rejected, please post it on here! I've been checking Quest everyday.

Hi MPHopeful, When did you reject your offer and how long did it take to be officially removed? I'm waiting anxiously to hear back from them!

Here's some info about Waterloo: I spoke to the student coordinator about the offers. She said that all of the decisions have been made. There were over 400 applicants and 55 full-time equivalent spots available, so there's about 70 spots if there's some part-timers. When an offer is made, the applicant has two weeks to respond to it. If you did not receive a decision, you have been waitlisted. There are 40 applicants on this list and I am one of them. She was able to tell me what my rank was. Hope that helps!