University of Washington

[asyouwish]

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I'm hoping to gather some more information about UW. I've seen some other posts, but they have mainly dealt with the community health specialty. I will be visiting in a couple weeks, but there won't be too many public health specific activities. I'd love to hear from any current and former students, as well as anyone else who has any input. I've been admitted to the Institute of Public Health Genetics for an MPH in public health genetics, so if anyone has any specific information on that it would be great. I'd also love any info on the epi program, as I'll be taking many classes in that specialty.

1.) How accessible are professors? Do they make time for their students and enjoy teaching?

2.) How difficult is it to find research opportunities at the master's level? Is it difficult to find research assistant and teaching assistant opportunities? Is there any kind of tuition break for graduate research assistantships?

3.) How is the support network? Is there career counseling available? Is there good job placement and job opportunities for MPH graduates?

4.) What do you specifically like and dislike about the school? Do you feel that your education at UW opens doors for other opportunities?

5.) How do you feel about living in Seattle? Do most students come from Washington or are there many students from out of state? I'm from the SF Bay Area and I love it, but I'm fascinated with Seattle and want to know how it will compare.

Thank you for input. I hope this information will be useful to other students considering UW. 😀

 

[kurly212]

Hi. I am going to be attending UW for Epi (MS) starting this fall, so I'll comment where I can. I highly recommend using the member (username) search function to find posts by swemory2007. She is finishing up in the MPH Epi program and has made some really informative posts about her experiences.

2.) How difficult is it to find research opportunities at the master's level? Is it difficult to find research assistant and teaching assistant opportunities? Is there any kind of tuition break for graduate research assistantships?

It's tricky because RAs are not a given, like they are at some other schools. They are not guaranteed, but historically most students end up having one in place by the time classes start. You have to be proactive and contact professors yourself. The funding info suggests contacting 20-30. I contacted 28, and only a handful said they MAY have funding. The economy obviously has had an effect on funding, but the bright side is that Pres. Obama released funding for NIH Challenge Grants about a month ago, and I know at least one professor who applied for some of those already.

Also, being a 1st year Master's student, you are at the low end of the totem pole. RAs are first offered to PhD students, so there may be more funds available after April 15, after they have declined offers. I'm pretty sure TAs are not offered to 1st year students because they want you to have taken the basic epi courses first, but maybe you could find something for an undergrad course in another department.

RAs provide a full tuition waiver, as well as a monthly stipend (around $1500) and health benefits. 🙂

BTW, of course this info is for the Epi program, so obviously I'm not sure if the PHG program has other policies/procedures for finding an RA.

5.) How do you feel about living in Seattle? Do most students come from Washington or are there many students from out of state? I'm from the SF Bay Area and I love it, but I'm fascinated with Seattle and want to know how it will compare.

I've been living in Seattle for almost nine years, and I love it. I'm really glad I got into UW so I can stay here! When I went to Epi Visit Days, there were probably about 60 prospective students in the room, and when someone asked how many of us were from WA state, only 5 of us raised our hands! I was pretty surprised. I realize that probably not everyone who was accepted attended, but you'd think if there were many more Seattle natives admitted, they would have been there!

As far as the comparison to San Fran goes, I haven't spent much time in the Bay Area (loved what I saw there, tho'!), but I've heard Seattle described as SF's little sister. We just have less sun and chillier winters. 😉

Hope this helped!