Hey everyone! I have posted here before, but a lonnnng time ago. I need some help!
I am definitely, 100% applying to start my MPH in August 2011 and I know I'll be applying at UIC. I am just *so* confused as to what division I should apply to!
I know what my interests are, for sure. I was in the Peace Corps in Panama and following that, worked as a volunteer frequently with the Ministry of Health. I've spent the majority of the time teaching HIV/AIDS/STI prevention, about contraceptives, women's health, gender roles, and reproductive/sexual health. I seriously, seriously love it, but I don't know how it would translate outside of a third world country (I'll be living in Chicago).
Another thing is that my SO and I are extremely interested in one day opening a clinic in Chicago for uninsured immigrants. We are both fluent in Spanish, and he is a doctor who will (hopefully) be studying his residency in Chicago once we get there (he's Panamanian, so it'll be more difficult).
FINALLY, I am toying with the idea of applying to medical school myself, but wayyyy down the line (like when I'm 30). My applying for an MPH is in no way a "stepping stone" move, as it's something that I want to pursue independent of whether or not I go to medical school.
At first I thought Community Health Sciences was the way to go, but now I'm thinking about possibly getting my MHA/MBA, which would actually make a lot of sense because in addition to being obsessed with public health, I also have an International Relations/Poli-sci degree and am very involved with politics. I also feel like this would be the most lucrative and most helpful if I want to help run an NGO, but I don't feel like it would necessarily equip me to teach. Then again, I can't ignore the fact that I'd probably get a job fastest with this, and with $70,000 in student loans, that's definitely important.
Assuming I went to get an MHA, could I take a bunch of elective classes as well in the CHS division and hypothetically *also* look for jobs that are more in line with teaching/community advocacy? Or am I limiting myself completely to Healthcare Admin?
Just some basic stats about me:
Undergrad: Int'l Relations/Poli-Sci and Photography from Loyola Chicago.
3.4 GPA (major ~3.6 if I remember correctly)
Haven't taken the GREs
Peace Corps/MINSA = lots of Public Health experience
Fluent in Spanish
Help???
I am definitely, 100% applying to start my MPH in August 2011 and I know I'll be applying at UIC. I am just *so* confused as to what division I should apply to!
I know what my interests are, for sure. I was in the Peace Corps in Panama and following that, worked as a volunteer frequently with the Ministry of Health. I've spent the majority of the time teaching HIV/AIDS/STI prevention, about contraceptives, women's health, gender roles, and reproductive/sexual health. I seriously, seriously love it, but I don't know how it would translate outside of a third world country (I'll be living in Chicago).
Another thing is that my SO and I are extremely interested in one day opening a clinic in Chicago for uninsured immigrants. We are both fluent in Spanish, and he is a doctor who will (hopefully) be studying his residency in Chicago once we get there (he's Panamanian, so it'll be more difficult).
FINALLY, I am toying with the idea of applying to medical school myself, but wayyyy down the line (like when I'm 30). My applying for an MPH is in no way a "stepping stone" move, as it's something that I want to pursue independent of whether or not I go to medical school.
At first I thought Community Health Sciences was the way to go, but now I'm thinking about possibly getting my MHA/MBA, which would actually make a lot of sense because in addition to being obsessed with public health, I also have an International Relations/Poli-sci degree and am very involved with politics. I also feel like this would be the most lucrative and most helpful if I want to help run an NGO, but I don't feel like it would necessarily equip me to teach. Then again, I can't ignore the fact that I'd probably get a job fastest with this, and with $70,000 in student loans, that's definitely important.
Assuming I went to get an MHA, could I take a bunch of elective classes as well in the CHS division and hypothetically *also* look for jobs that are more in line with teaching/community advocacy? Or am I limiting myself completely to Healthcare Admin?
Just some basic stats about me:
Undergrad: Int'l Relations/Poli-Sci and Photography from Loyola Chicago.
3.4 GPA (major ~3.6 if I remember correctly)
Haven't taken the GREs
Peace Corps/MINSA = lots of Public Health experience
Fluent in Spanish
Help???
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