So here's the deal, I graduated from a mid-sized private university last year where I double majored in Finance and Legal Studies (3.6 GPA). After graduation I landed a great job in corporate banking that most college graduates would be thrilled with. Unfortunately, I feel the banking/finance industry is not where I was meant to be. Since I was young I have always been interested in public health and recently have been considering going back to school to get my MPH. So, to my question, what steps should I take as I begin my journey applying to schools? Do I have a chance of any school admitting me considering I have no experience in healthcare? I understand I would be rather late in applying to schools this Fall, therefore, my current plan was to study for the GRE over the next few months and apply to schools in early Spring. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Non traditional MPH route
- Thread starter CB1320
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I do not believe there is a direct route or traditional way to public health. Many enter the field from a variety of sectors, and many do not have health related experiences. This is what the graduate school is for. It is similar to applying to medical school. There are certain requirements, such as specific courses in chemistry, physics, biology, etc. Otherwise, it ends there.
If anything, your background in finance and legal studies can be an asset. Programs highly value quantitative skills, and your experience in finance can be a leg-up. In addition to finance, your experience in legal studies may benefit you should you pursue the health policy and/or health management foci of public health programs. My recommendation would be to tie your background in finance/legal studies to your interest in public health. The statement of purpose/personal essay is the place to do this. Why the transition? How will your background be an asset to public health? How will you contribute to courses and the program? Etc. These are the types of questions to consider when writing your essay.
Good luck!
Thanks so much for your advice! With the little reading I've done on these forums, I was getting the impression that most students were just seeking an MPH to boost their chances for medical school. Your post makes me feel more comfortable applying with my lack of work experience in the health field.
There's no specific route towards a future in public health. As you may know, public health is a very broad multidisciplinary science, so your background in finance and legal studies will not hinder you from getting into public health. Like porkbuns mentioned, it may actually benefit you especially if you decide you want to concentrate in something like Health Policy & Management. Your background in finance and legal studies would be perfect for something like this.
If you decide you want to change your path into something like environmental science or epidemiology, which is geared towards those with a science background, there's no reason to fret. Just take some classes post-bac to fulfill chem/bio/physics pre-reqs that some schools require. You may have already fulfilled some of the requirements when you completed your course electives for undergrad!
As for the GRE, I think your plan of spending the next few months to study is pretty good. Honestly, the GRE is quite simple and with your background in finance your math should be alright. Your GPA is pretty high so you should have no problems getting into top tier schools provided your GRE, LORs, and SOP are up to scratch. You could even try to find some volunteer/internships while you're studying to gain some work experience in public health. It'll only bolster your resume. Good luck!
If you decide you want to change your path into something like environmental science or epidemiology, which is geared towards those with a science background, there's no reason to fret. Just take some classes post-bac to fulfill chem/bio/physics pre-reqs that some schools require. You may have already fulfilled some of the requirements when you completed your course electives for undergrad!
As for the GRE, I think your plan of spending the next few months to study is pretty good. Honestly, the GRE is quite simple and with your background in finance your math should be alright. Your GPA is pretty high so you should have no problems getting into top tier schools provided your GRE, LORs, and SOP are up to scratch. You could even try to find some volunteer/internships while you're studying to gain some work experience in public health. It'll only bolster your resume. Good luck!
There's no specific route towards a future in public health. As you may know, public health is a very broad multidisciplinary science, so your background in finance and legal studies will not hinder you from getting into public health. Like porkbuns mentioned, it may actually benefit you especially if you decide you want to concentrate in something like Health Policy & Management. Your background in finance and legal studies would be perfect for something like this.
If you decide you want to change your path into something like environmental science or epidemiology, which is geared towards those with a science background, there's no reason to fret. Just take some classes post-bac to fulfill chem/bio/physics pre-reqs that some schools require. You may have already fulfilled some of the requirements when you completed your course electives for undergrad!
As for the GRE, I think your plan of spending the next few months to study is pretty good. Honestly, the GRE is quite simple and with your background in finance your math should be alright. Your GPA is pretty high so you should have no problems getting into top tier schools provided your GRE, LORs, and SOP are up to scratch. You could even try to find some volunteer/internships while you're studying to gain some work experience in public health. It'll only bolster your resume. Good luck!
Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it! Health Policy & Management is a concentration that I am very interested in. Biostatistics and epidemiology also really interests me. I actually excelled much more in my statistics/economics courses than my pure finance courses in undergrad. I do still have a passion for law. Incorporating my legal studies degree with public health would be ideal. Naturally, getting my JD/MPH would seem fitting, however; I am positive I do not want to be an attorney, which makes getting the JD seem kind of pointless.
Hi I consider myself a non-traditional MPH candidate also,
Education: (no undergrad) Doctor of Pharmacy (2005, GPA 3.17 from a large university), completed a PGY2 pharmacy residency in a speciality and Board Certified in that speciality and currently working on a MA in National Security from one of the senior service colleges (War College) (GPA 3.3)
Research: published a pair of articles
Work experience: Military Officer/Pharmacist traditional pharmacist jobs long with some untraditional ones (staff officer in division headquarters during the a the surge in Iraq and even a temporary military fellow in Congress).
GRE: I will take in early September.
I have the opportunity a year from now go to school full time for an MPH, while remaining on active duty.
How important is some public health work experience for a top MPH program?
Thank You for any feedback
Education: (no undergrad) Doctor of Pharmacy (2005, GPA 3.17 from a large university), completed a PGY2 pharmacy residency in a speciality and Board Certified in that speciality and currently working on a MA in National Security from one of the senior service colleges (War College) (GPA 3.3)
Research: published a pair of articles
Work experience: Military Officer/Pharmacist traditional pharmacist jobs long with some untraditional ones (staff officer in division headquarters during the a the surge in Iraq and even a temporary military fellow in Congress).
GRE: I will take in early September.
I have the opportunity a year from now go to school full time for an MPH, while remaining on active duty.
How important is some public health work experience for a top MPH program?
Thank You for any feedback
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I would think long and hard before making the career change. Look to see what the job market is like where you are. There are virtually no jobs in my area for my degree, whereas there are tons in finance and legal.
