deletta

Ya but very cool! Seems somewhat epi appropriate, why not. Good luck!

1) You can apply for the mentorship program with the Alumni, but not everyone gets a match. I did not. I'm unsure how they base these decisions, but i like to think its related to interests. 2) I only know one person in my class that got OGS first year. A lot of people apply for it second year. Nobody really knows how many get it, but I have heard we compete amongst the PhDs for one pot of money, which again, can be problematic. In addition, there is a small scholarship that gets awarded to select students in the program, but you can't apply for it. I wouldn't bother inquiring about it either. Other than that, there is OSAP. When it comes down to it, the MPH program (especially EPi and HP) are highly regarded in Canada and I believe only 10% of applicants get accepted. Its also a professional program, and for this, i think UofT may believe it doesn't have to provide the Masters level funding other programs do. There are mixed opinions about this, but I wouldn't bank on scholarship or OGS money to fund your way. Plan to fund the program yourself, and if you get funded elsewhere, its a bonus.

Hmm your stats seem pretty decent. What was this "unusual" undergrad? I like to think that ad coms like some variety, but I can also say the vast majority of epi students come from strong life science / med/ health science and research backgrounds.

Hi all, I'm a first year MPH Epi at UofT. Us first years just finished the first year of the program. If you have any big questions, I'm happy to answer. Congrats on your acceptances! I am following up to my above offer. I have had several overlapping inquiries, so ive pooled the questions here. Please ask any further Qs on the main forum, as its easer than private PMs. How do you find the class sizes? Do you find the class sizes conducive to your learning? Can you engage with professors outside of class? The class sizes are fairly large. Our classes this year were relatively large (30-60 people) and mostly lecture style, One core class (public health policy) had about 100 people. Dalla Lana has become its own faculty, and rumour has it that class sizes are growing. Our class size this year was i believe 32. It depends on your learning style. Some people in the class can be very quiet and don't like to participate, others do. Lecture style may be more conducive to person X's learning, whereas a more seminar style class may be more beneficial to person Y. I've heard the smaller class sizes come with electives in second year. Engaging with profs outside of class is difficult. Most profs teach and also have full time positions with heavy responsibility elsewhere, so unlike some faculty, teaching/research is not the norm for a lot of DLSPH faculty. They are Physicians, Senior Scientists, etc. I would take advantage of the tutor (a Professor and a second yr student) you get assigned to. I found these resources enormously helpful. Also - You really have to make the effort to get to know professors yourself. How do you find the course load? Are you able to do research, or hold part-time jobs/volunteering positions throughout the year?


 The course load is demanding. Many people said first term wasn't that bad. It depends on your strengths. Second semester was very intense. Most people found it overwhelming. The majority of first years also took an elective second semester, so it was a lot of work to say the least (about 5.5 courses with the pass/fail intro course). I suggest you don't work part time, unless you are really great at multi tasking. I knew people who were working part-time but they eventually had to quit their jobs cause they couldn't hack both. Is it difficult to get the practicum placement that you want? This year, the practicum coordinator really did a wonderful job for us. From what I hear, almost every Epi student got a practicum that pays, and is somewhat ideal. I got a very ideal position at the organization I wanted, and I'm getting paid well. Also, I have heard that the HP students have had mixed luck, and many are working unpaid. How much statistics is involved in the field? When it comes down to it, stats are the core of epi methods. One more or less needs a foundation in stats, to properly understand epi study design, methods and the results of epi studies. I would make a conservative estimate and say stats makes up 60% of epi (at UofT) in some form or another. The first term focuses on mapping out the stats foundations and basic concepts, and a lot of it is applied in protocols, reviews, etc. in second semester. Its important to be comfortable with statistical packages, as this will be a core function (which you learn) in second semester. Some find first semester easier to handle than second. I actually enjoyed second more. Again, it depends on your strengths. I hope this is helpful.

If you don't mind me asking, what are you stats?

Hi all, I'm a first year MPH Epi at UofT. Us first years just finished the first year of the program. If you have any big questions, I'm happy to answer. Congrats on your acceptances!

Incoming U of T Epi students might be interested in this upcoming webinar on June 6th: http://www.dlsph.utoronto.ca/event/mph-webinars

Any U of T MPH students looking for a roommate, I am still looking

Why did you choose Queens over Toronto?

Where are you going instead?

I couldn't have said it better myself maturia. I feel EXACTLY the same way as you (feel more comfortable among the softer sciences but feel the epi foundation is more valuable in the long run...) And I also have to let Queens know tomorrow... Whats your final decision??

I think for an MPH, getting the Epi skill set is probably more valuable than having a general skill set. I also like Toronto the DLSPH reputation / opportunities it may bring. Both definitely have their strengths, so its been a challenge deciding. And yes, the class size also was a big factor. Queens is 25 vs. the 35ish at U of T. But at least its not 60 llke someone said. What are you thinking??

I actually emailed and inquired about that. This was the response: "The class size for this September 2013 Epi program is aiming to be around 35- 40 students. They aimed for this number last year and we ended up with 30 incoming students." And I am also wondering the same as you re: U of T Epi vs. Queens general MPH. Though I am pretty positive its Toronto.

Any incoming U of T MPHers looking for a (great) roommate?

Does anyone mind posting their admission stats for their various MPH programs?

Just an FYI, Toronto's MPH does not do deferrals.

You make a valid point Cima, however whether we like it or not, graduate school learning (and school in general) can be greatly impeded by large class size. One of the values of grad school is intimate learning environments, debate, discussion and a unique experience that is 'applied' or real world. Its an inevitability that larger class sizes lose this edge, and thus put grad students at a potential disadvantage. You are 100% right about making the best of it though! Life IS what you make of it. Keep that attitude, you will go far

Im getting really nervous about this for U of Ts Epi program. Supposedly the class size has greatly increased/doubled? this year and is becoming (what sounds like this experience at SFU). Can any U of T insiders comment?

Does anybody know if U of T's MPH is accredited yet?

This may be a longshot but I'm an incoming U of T MPHer (Epi) and not from Toronto so will soon be looking for a roommate to share a 2 bdrm apartment! If you are also an incoming MPH student and interested in a roomie, give me a shout

Thanks. Why just for epi this year? Do you know if its simply increasing enrolment or is the class actually doubling? That does concern me as I was hoping to have the class engagement element. 35 isn't unrealistic (though on the larger end), however any higher I would get a little worried about losing the intimacy of graduate school learning.

Can someone confirm if U of T MPH programs are all increasing seats (or doubling) for Fall 2013? Not sure if I like the sound of that...

So is the open house invite only sent to those admitted?

Also, anybody want to weigh in on the strengths and weaknesses of Queens MPH vs. Toronto MPH in Epi??