School and Jobs Advice Megathread Part III

[u/SadBreath]

All job and school-related advice should be asked in here. Below is the r/publichealth MPH guide which may answer general questions.

See the below guides for more information:

1. MPH Guide
2. Job Guide
3. Choosing a public health field
4. Choosing a public health concentration
5. Choosing a public health industry

Past Threads:

1. Megathread Part I
2. Megathread Part II

[u/[deleted]]

Did they give you any actual reasons? Can you list the reasons why everyone you spoke to told you not to accept an offer from Pitt Public Health?

If so, what are those reasons and what are their occupations?

The school is ranked #13 and has generous merit-based scholarship offers and an excellent career-services office specifically for Public Health students.

[u/DavywGravy → u/[deleted]]

Not really good reasons, the biggest one I hear is “they’re stingy with financial aid/funding” someone said they’re having problems with their grad student union (I couldn’t confirm so I’ll just leave it at that). There’s a biostats major that says the biostats Dept is terrible and made him rethink going to grad school but didn’t give any real details beyond that.

I’m not sure what they’re doing now I believe they ended up leaving and going to nursing school(?)

Idk I was just curious if there were any real issues with the program or it’s just personal issues

[u/[deleted] → u/DavywGravy]

Not really good reasons, the biggest one I hear is “they’re stingy with financial aid/funding”

Sounds like a Masters student that was upset they didn't get any scholarships/awards. I am certainly biased as I did earn awards/scholarships. Not everyone is going to however, like any other school they are going to prioritize funding to PhDs first and then to Masters students with high-potential or from underrepresented groups. I don't feel this would be different at any other top-tier University.

grad student union (I couldn’t confirm so I’ll just leave it at that).

There is no grad student union, Pitt students are trying to make one, however like other peer universities are as in every school they are facing fierce opposition from the Administration. This is par for the course and should only affect your decision if you're aiming for a PhD at Pitt and would like to go to a school w/ a GSU. But keep in mind that it isn't the norm for a University to have a GSU in the US.

There’s a biostats major that says the biostats Dept is terrible and made him rethink going to grad school but didn’t give any real details beyond that.

Hmm... I have some qualms with the BIOST department as well. But its hard for me to judge only on my first semester. This is something important to keep in mind however, if you're applying for the BIOST degree. But you said you are interested in EPIDEM and thus this isn't worth your concern.

I ’m not sure what they’re doing now I believe they ended up leaving and going to nursing school(?)

Thats bizarre, to quit BIOST and go into Nursing school, which is completely different. I think maybe this speaks more of the student than the department or else they would've decided to apply for a BIOST degree at another university.

As a current graduate student at Pitt, I feel the program is very strong. I wouldn't strike them out at all.

[u/DavywGravy → u/[deleted]]

Oh ok thanks! Good to hear how it actually is from a current student.

I’m sure my experiences with the biostats Dept would be minimal but just hearing bad stuff about it made me a little nervous.

[u/[deleted] → u/DavywGravy]

You're not graduating till December 2021, so you certainly have plenty of time to investigate and weight your options.

If you do apply and get accepted, it is worth attending Accepted Applicants Day.