How difficult is the first year at Yale MPH?

[Oomph]

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Hi,

I'm planning on attending the Yale MPH program in SBS and am getting somewhat intimidated at the heavy stats and epi core courses. Also, I realized the breakdown of courses requires about 5 classes per term!

I was wondering what others in the program who have gone through the core courses thought of the course workload and difficulty. I don't come from a science or mathematics background, hence my worry! Are there courses I should consider taking in preparation? Or material I should start reading over the summer?

Are there a lot of exams? Are classes 2 or 3 times a week? Just trying to figure out what to expect when I arrive and if I can realistically plan for part time employment.

Thanks!

 

[jaya88]

Hi,
Because I am anal and having a hard time deciding between schools, I mapped out what classes I would most likely need to take each semester and looked at this year's course schedule to get a better idea. I actually have very little room for electives per se because I am also in the GH concentration. It became pretty apparent that I didn't have a lot of scheduling flexibility (which is probably true with most schools).

I am also totally intimated by the heavy stats core courses and I don't think it is just us 🙂 I actually listed SBS second even though it was probably my first choice because I was scared I wouldn't be able to handle the additional epi classes for SDS. I am probably a little overworried though part of it is I don't have a clear picture of what these courses entail. I am taking a college algebra class right now because I realized when I studied for the GRE that my high school math leaves much to be desired.
Jaya

 

[Oomph]

Right! I agree--the heavy emphasis on core stats is a plus (in that we'll receive decent statistical training), but of course, I'm curious as to how such courses are taught. Seems as though there is a lot of SAS work involved, so if it's just learning to use SAS and applying it to a few cases, I can't imagine it being too difficult. Of course statistical theory may be hard to wrap my head around, but here's hoping to good teaching.

I'm also wondering how the other courses in YSPH are taught/structured. Is there a ton of lecture? Lots of assignments/homework assignments? Group work? Or is it a bunch of multiple choice tests? Wonder if anyone in who's in the program could speak to this. I'm curious to know how the graduate level workload is.

 

[mystal]

Hi,

I'm planning on attending the Yale MPH program in SBS and am getting somewhat intimidated at the heavy stats and epi core courses. Also, I realized the breakdown of courses requires about 5 classes per term!

I was wondering what others in the program who have gone through the core courses thought of the course workload and difficulty. I don't come from a science or mathematics background, hence my worry! Are there courses I should consider taking in preparation? Or material I should start reading over the summer?

Are there a lot of exams? Are classes 2 or 3 times a week? Just trying to figure out what to expect when I arrive and if I can realistically plan for part time employment.

Thanks!

I thought classes at Yale were graded pass/fail?

 

[SJD24]

Hello,

First year Yale MPH student here.

Correct, classes are Honors/High Pass/Pass/Fail.

Don't let the intro stats or epi classes intimidate you. They are just that...intro classes. They are taught at a level that caters to people who are fresh out of undergrad or older students who took algebra 20 years ago.

Epi and Biostats lectures for me were M/W mornings back to back. Biostats from 8:30 - 9:50 and Epi I from 10:00 - 11:20 (or something like that). Then Epi I has a group discussion class on Friday where you just go over the non-graded homework with a TA. Biostats also has a lab section where you are spoon-fed SAS from literally "Find and click on the SAS icon".

Biostats homework consists of 4 assignments that are evenly distributed over the semester (consisting of textbook problems and SAS lab assignments). There is a midterm and final exam (not multiple choice format).

Epi I homework is very time consuming and there is one assignment due each week on Friday. For us, there were 4 epi exams with more weight given to a midterm and final (multiple choice).

Ultimately, I wouldn't describe any of the material as exceptionally difficult, however, it is the volume of work that is challenging.

In response to another poster about test formats. It really depends on the size of the course and content to be tested. I have experienced very few multiple choice exams at Yale with most tests being short answer. There is also lots of group work and I was quickly introduced to the miracle that is "google docs".

Hope this helps 🙂

 

[chriskyk]

Thanks for the reply. It's especially helpful for 1st year MPH students.

 

[Oomph]

Thanks SJD24! That's a very helpful summary of your experience of the two core classes. I'm relieved to hear that the stats work isn't overwhelming. It did look as though the volume of reading and material to cover was the biggest challenge in the curriculum. Definitely time management is important.

Did you have time for other work or internships while school was in session? I was hoping the course load wouldn't limit my ability to try and do a part time job or gain additional internship experience while in school.

 

[SJD24]

Not a problem. I am more than happy to help.

Many students work part-time. I wouldn't suggest anything more than 15-20 hrs a week. Again, it really depends on the individual and your background heading into the program.

I guess the best way to gauge if you should pursue an internship right out of the gates is if you were able to hold down a job during undergrad. I would say the workload is slightly less than undergrad, so you will have about the same amount of free time (if not more).

Yale student job link:
https://www.yalestudentjobs.org/JobX_FindAJob.aspx