Why did you choose the Brown University School of Public Health?

I chose Brown because I wanted a public health education that would allow me to think beyond individual health outcomes and better understand the systems that shape health and access to care. I was especially drawn to Brown’s commitment to health equity, community-engaged work, and the opportunity to learn in a collaborative environment while exploring my interests across medicine, research, and health systems.

What makes Brown's program different from other programs you considered?

What stood out to me was the flexibility of the MPH program and the level of access students have to faculty, research, and applied opportunities. Brown has given me room to connect different interests rather than feeling like I have to stay in one lane. I’ve been able to work across health equity, behavioral health, health care delivery, research, and community-based work while still shaping the degree around my long-term goals.

What do you enjoy most about your program?

I enjoy being able to take what I learn in the classroom and apply it to real public health problems. Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from working with faculty, community organizations, and other students who approach health from very different perspectives. I’ve also really valued how much I’ve grown personally and professionally since coming to Brown.

What is your academic area of interest and why?

My primary interests are health services, health equity, and behavioral health. I’m especially interested in how health systems can be designed to make care more accessible, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of patients and communities. I enjoy thinking about the intersection of clinical medicine and public health and how changes in care delivery can improve health outcomes on a larger scale.

What are your postgraduate goals/plans?

After completing my MPH, I plan to attend medical school and become a physician. I’m particularly interested in psychiatry and working with children and adolescents, while also using my public health background to improve how care is delivered. Long term, I hope to combine clinical practice with leadership, health systems innovation, and community impact.

Why Providence?

Providence has been a great place to be a graduate student because it feels manageable while still having a lot to explore. There is a strong sense of community, great food and culture, and easy access to places like Boston and the rest of New England. I’ve enjoyed being able to build a life here outside of school while still being surrounded by so many academic and professional opportunities.

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant?

Be yourself and be clear about what you hope to gain from an MPH. You do not need to have every part of your career figured out before applying. Think about the experiences that have shaped your interest in public health and how Brown could help you build on them. Once you get here, stay open to opportunities—you may discover interests and paths you had not considered before.