Betsey Asher, Admissions Officer Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

1. Betsey Asher, Admissions Officer Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Kerri Noonan, Associate Director of Admissions Harvard School of Public Health Amy Galloway, Communications Associate Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Mary Keefe, Director of Admissions Yale School of Public Health

2. Quick Facts

3. “Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. Public health professionals analyze the effect on health of genetics, personal choice and the environment in order to develop programs that protect the health of your family and community.” Resource: www.whatispublichealth.org What is Public Health?

4. “Public Health” Population Prevention Health Promotion “Medicine” Individual Disease Treatment VS Public Health vs Medicine

5. How does Public Health affect your life? • Disaster Preparedness • Early testing/screening • Cancer Research • H1N1

6. Core Areas of Study • Biostatistics - Estimating the number of deaths from gun violence or looking at trends in drunk driving injuries by using math and science is the study of biostatistics. Forecasting scenarios, identifying health trends within the community, explaining biological phenomena, as well as determining the causes of disease and injury, biostatistics are an integral part of public health. • Epidemiology - When food poisoning or an influenza outbreak attacks a community, the "disease detectives" or epidemiologists are asked to investigate the cause of disease and control its spread. Epidemiologists do fieldwork to determine what causes disease or injury, what the risks are, who is at risk, and how to prevent further incidences. • Environmental Health Sciences - The air we breathe; the water we drink; the complex interactions between human genetics and our surroundings. Environmental health studies the impact of our surroundings on our health. • Health Administration - Managing the database at a school clinic; developing budgets for a health department; creating polices for health insurance companies; and directing hospital services all depend on health administrators. The field of health services administration combines politics, business, and science in managing the human and fiscal resources needed to deliver effective public health services. • Behavioral Sciences/Health Education - Stopping the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes and HIV/AIDS; helping youth recognize the dangers of binge drinking; and promoting seatbelt use. Behavioral Science/Health Education focuses on ways that encourage people to make healthy choices. Resource: www.whatispublichealth.org

7. Academic Departments/Concentrations

8. Before you Apply • Do your research • CEPH accreditation • Private vs. Public • Research Centers and Affiliations • Size of the Institution • “If you’ve seen one school, you’ve seen one • school.”

9. Admission Criteria • Personalized Statement of Purpose - Why you are applying and how do your research interests “fit” with that particular area of study at that institution? • Official Transcripts - Transcripts will be required from ALL courses taken at any institution – this will include summer and non-degree coursework • Standardized Test Scores - Take the exam as early as possible. • Letters of Recommendation– Your recommender should be able to speak to your academic and research abilities, know your past experience and future goals, and provide examples of your unique qualities. • Experience– Work, volunteer, and life experience relays your understanding of and commitment to the profession. • Application Deadlines - Vary from school to school and from degree to degree

10. Admission Requirements

11. Prior Experience Work Volunteer Life • Relays your understanding of public health • Community service • Paid or unpaid it should demonstrate leadership, direction and commitment to the public health profession • Working on issues of health promotion and prevention • Research in public health related field • Shadowing or working with public health professionals • Working for a non-profit involved in public health advocacy • Local health department, accredited school of public health or other agency

12. Summer Internship Opportunities • Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health - Biostatistics Enrichment Summer Program (BEST) - Columbia Summer Institute for Training in Biostatistics (CSIBS) - Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) • Harvard School of Public Health -Summer Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health -Summer Program in Epidemiology -Summer Program in Quantitative Sciences • Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Diversity Summer Internship Program (DSIP) - http://www.jhsph.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-student-life/ • Yale School of Public Health -Yale BioSTEP

13. How to Apply Online www.jhsph.edu/admissions • From the Admissions page, click “Apply Online” • Bookmark/Save Logon Information • Online: Statement of Goals, CV & Letters of Recommendation • Self-Service – Log back on to check application status

14. www.sophas.org

15. Career Opportunities Employment can be found in a variety of areas, including: • Aging population • Behavior-related disorders • Bioterrorism • Chronic diseases • Hazardous chemical & physical agents • Health of the impoverished and disadvantaged • Maternal & child health • New infectious disease • Toxic wastes

16. Source: ASPH

17. Helpful Websites • www.whatispublichealth.org • www.asph.org • www.apha.org (Free day at APHA) • www.ajph.org • www.publichealthjobs.net • www.explorehealthcareers.org • www.pathwaystopublichealth.org • Career Office Websites

18. Financial Aid Complete the institution’s financial aid application FAFSA – Request PIN early at www.fafsa.ed.gov Know the school code Have a copy of your taxes for 2013 Federal vs. Institutional Aid Merit vs. Need Aid Apply early (01/02/2014) Check application deadlines and form requirements

19. Funding Resources www.explorehealthcareers.org www.pathwaystopublichealth.org www.pdsoros.org www.aauw.org www.lgbtheart.org www.tylenol.com

20. Contact Us www.mailman.columbia.edu ph-admit@columbia.edu (212) 342-5127 www.hsph.harvard.edu admissions@hsph.harvard.edu (617) 432-1031 www.jhsph.edu admiss@jhsph.edu (410) 614-5056 publichealth.yale.edu ysph.admissions@yale.edu (203) 785-2844