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

One of the biggest reasons I chose Brown was its focus on building strong methodological skills. My background in public health has allowed me to work across several areas, including reproductive health, health equity, tobacco control, and public health systems. Because of that, I did not want an MPH experience that required me to narrow myself into one specific topic too early. I wanted to develop skills that I could apply to many different public health challenges.

Brown's curriculum gave me the flexibility to explore my interests while still building a strong foundation in public health methods. I was also drawn to the support I received from faculty while navigating what I wanted my MPH experience to look like. Becoming a Health Equity Scholar was another major factor in my final decision because it gave me both financial support and a community with like-minded scholars interested in improving health for all populations.
 

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

I seriously considered both Emory University and the University of Michigan, which also have amazing public health programs. What stood out to me about Brown was the amount of flexibility I could have within my MPH training. I came into graduate school knowing the types of problems I care about, but I did not necessarily know exactly what I wanted my career to look like.

Brown gave me room to explore those questions while still gaining useful knowledge and skills. There are also so many opportunities available across the university and School of Public Health. I have learned very quickly that a conversation with a faculty member can lead to an internship, or volunteering on a project can eventually turn into a paid position. Being at an Ivy League university and a rapidly growing school of public health also gives students access to people, research, and opportunities across many different fields.
 

What do you enjoy most about your program?

The community has probably been my favorite part of the program so far. My MPH cohort includes people with very different backgrounds and interests, but there is still a strong sense of community. I have also enjoyed how accessible faculty, staff, and other students have been when I need advice or support.

Graduate school can be challenging, especially when you are adjusting to a new city and a different level of academic work. Having people around me who are willing to answer questions, share resources, or simply spend time together has made that transition much easier. I have realized that my education at Brown is not only coming from my classes. I am also learning from the people around me and the experiences I am having outside of the classroom.
 

What is your academic area of interest and why? 

My academic interests are health policy, health systems, program design, and implementation. I am especially interested in understanding how we can take evidence and turn it into programs, policies, and systems that actually improve people's lives.

My previous experiences have allowed me to work across several public health issues, and I have learned that I am most interested in the systems behind those issues. I want to understand why some programs and policies work, why others fail, and how we can design better solutions. I am also interested in health economics and policy analysis because they can help me understand how decisions about resources, funding, and implementation affect health outcomes.
 

What are your postgraduate goals/plans?

After completing my MPH, I hope to work at the intersection of health policy, health systems, program design, and implementation. I am particularly interested in organizations working on large-scale health challenges, including multilateral organizations and global health institutions such as the World Health Organization, World Bank, and Clinton Health Access Initiative.  

I am still exploring exactly what that career will look like, and that is something I am comfortable with. One of my goals during my MPH is to better understand where my skills can have the greatest impact. Ultimately, I want to help design and implement programs, policies, and systems that make health resources and opportunities more accessible, especially for communities that have historically been left out.
 

Why Providence?  

Providence has been a great place for me to adjust to graduate school. As a first-generation, low-income student, living somewhere walkable was very important to me. I wanted to be able to get to school, work, grocery stores, restaurants, and other resources without constantly needing a car or paying for transportation. Providence's size makes the city very accessible and easy to navigate.

I also did not expect to enjoy the scenery as much as I do. Providence is beautiful, and being able to walk around the city has become an important way for me to take care of myself between long days of classes, studying, and work. It has helped both my mental health and my ability to stay active. There is also a great food scene, and because the city is relatively small, a lot of what I need is close by.

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant?

My biggest advice would be to focus on the story you are telling through your application. Having impressive achievements is great, but those achievements become much more meaningful when an admissions committee can understand how they connect to your passion for public health and the person you are becoming. I would implore applicants to think about the experiences that shaped them, what they learned from them, and why they have led them to pursue a Master of Public Health at Brown University specifically.

I would also encourage applicants to ask for help. Reach out to professors, professionals, mentors, career advisors, and people who have already gone through the process. Ask them to read your essays and provide feedback. They can also help you think through your goals. Getting into graduate school can feel like an individual accomplishment, but I have learned that it often takes a village to reach spaces like Brown. You do not have to figure out every part of the process by yourself.