Need help picking schools!

[glenvorian]

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So I'm getting ready to apply MPH programs for Fall 2013 and am having a tough time deciding on schools. I'm specifically thinking about epi/infectious disease and have the following schools for sure:
UC Davis
Uni of Pittsburgh (for their IDM dept)
UofI Chicago

I'm assuming that location is important in the sense that wherever I end up going is probably where I'm going to get a full-time job, yes? I really want to stay in CA but wouldn't mind relocating to Illinois/Indiana.

So I've already ruled out UC Berkeley (don't meet their 2 year work experience requirement, just out of undergrad), am hesitant on UCLA (don't think I'll get in), USC and Loma Linda are too expensive, don't really want to go to SDSU (I live in SD now so I'm pretty familiar w/ their program). Anyone know of any other schools in CA that offer MPH in epi?

I'm also considering IU-Bloomington and IU-Purdue, which are CEPH accredited but not schools of public health yet. Anyone have any familiarity with their programs? How is the career support for graduates?

A more general question is: what's better, an MPH from a school of public health or an MPH from a university that's not a SPH but location-wise, is where I'd want to find a job?

 

[glenvorian]

Anybody? 🙁

 

[PointEstimate]

I'm assuming that location is important in the sense that wherever I end up going is probably where I'm going to get a full-time job, yes? I really want to stay in CA but wouldn't mind relocating to Illinois/Indiana.

I'm guessing you are from California. What's so special about Illinois/Indiana? Why not apply to some programs on the East Coast to open up a few more options?

 

[ms newyear]

Did you rule out UC Irvine? They are expected to be accredited this fall....unless they screwed up somehow.

http://publichealth.uci.edu/ph_docs/dphdp_message#Accreditation