MPH competitiveness and Foreign Language

[melis0128]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am considering enrolling in an MPH program next year. Unlike many of you, I am not interested in being a clinician. I have a degree in accounting and would be more interested in the administration/financial end of healthcare. I am especially interested in working overseas. I live near a large university, which offers a variety of foreign language courses. Of particular interest to me is Swahili. I would eventually like to live/work in Africa, so these classes would be ideal. I am wondering if having knowledge of a language such as Swahili would be beneficial as far as getting into an MPH program? i.e. Would it help to demonstrate my commitment to my goals? or would an admissions committee not even pay attention to this?

I have only recently begun exploring the possibility of an MPH and don't know how competitive admission is to top tier schools. I would be particularly interested in an International Health concentration that involved some sort of overseas opportunity. Any insight on this would be helpful.

 

[boogita]

I am not currently in a Public Health program, yet (I am applying this year). I would assume that speaking a second language would only help your case if you are interested in working overseas. To be honest I think knowing a second langauge regardless if you are planning on going overseas always helps in addmissions becuase it shows that you are well rounded. I assume, in your case, the addmissions committe would only see it as a positive and prove your interest in international health especially Africa.

That being said, although since you are interested in working in Africa I would recomend learning French that way you are not limited to where in Africa you could work. More places in Africa speak French than they do Swahili.

I hope that helps.

 

[AspiringDoctor9]

I am considering enrolling in an MPH program next year. Unlike many of you, I am not interested in being a clinician. I have a degree in accounting and would be more interested in the administration/financial end of healthcare. I am especially interested in working overseas. I live near a large university, which offers a variety of foreign language courses. Of particular interest to me is Swahili. I would eventually like to live/work in Africa, so these classes would be ideal. I am wondering if having knowledge of a language such as Swahili would be beneficial as far as getting into an MPH program? i.e. Would it help to demonstrate my commitment to my goals? or would an admissions committee not even pay attention to this?

I have only recently begun exploring the possibility of an MPH and don't know how competitive admission is to top tier schools. I would be particularly interested in an International Health concentration that involved some sort of overseas opportunity. Any insight on this would be helpful.

Hihi!

Let's see, I'll try and answer your questions as best I can. Yes! Foriegn languages are important if you want to do international health. Some schools have programs which won't admit you at all unless you speak one (or more than one!). So I think if you are sincerely interested in doing international work, this is a plus. However, I will agree with the other poster - French might be better in Africa (I speak French and have been told it's important if you want to work there).

Many schools have a global/international health department/concentration. My school, Univ. of Michigan is #1 in healthcare administration and also has a global health focus which requires an international internship between years one and two. They might still be accepting applications (last I checked) for the Fall. However, as far as admissions criteria go for top tier schools (assuming you want a good chance of acceptance), you should have a minimum of 3.3 GPA (the higher the better, 3.4-3.5+ if you have no work experience), and a GRE that exceeds the 50th percentile in all sections (again, the higher the better - Michigan averages around 65th-70th percentile). If you have no full time work experience, as a general rule your application statistics will have to be higher to compensate. Also, you should have demonstrated a sincere interest to public health through work experience, letters of recommendations, volunteering, personal statement, etc. Other well-known schools that offers an international/global and management focus include Yale and Columbia.

I think that's it - if you need anything else, write back! I hope this helps!

 

[Homer101]

Hi,

Columbia just started a Global Health concentration and they actually have a 6 month internship abroad which can be anywhere and I think they have a center in Africa as well. So You might want to check that out as well. I didn't really apply for health admin because I am not interested too much in corporate sector, but still wanted to do a management focus to better understand the nature and operations of non profit organizations.
Yale also has a Global health MPH that also lets you do a focus in an area of your choice. So you can do Health Management as a part of that degree. They also have a pure Health Management program, but it doesn't have any room for electives.
Good luck.