Measuring the must-haves

“After being accepted into multiple public health grad programs, I went back to core questions to confirm my must-haves. Would I feel comfortable on this campus? What are the retention rates for students of color? Do the School and the program have a strong presence in the community? And would I be fully equipped in three key aspects of public health—research, policy, and practice? Using those metrics, BU clearly made the strongest case.”

Broader vision, stronger tools

“I originally was drawn to public health because of its roots in social justice, and I entered the program with a unique skill set and a lot of experience. I also came in with a vision to serve vulnerable populations in communities that represent my background and experiences. With my MPH training, I feel better prepared to tackle the challenges of health equity with a much more comprehensive sensibility and toolkit.”

Forum for risky ideas

“We have so many opportunities to implement our new skills in real-world settings. My team project for a field-based course in leadership and consultation was especially illuminating—and tough. We partnered with a local community health organization to streamline their internal referral process between the adult health and behavioral health departments. Trying to figure out how to support collaboration in the midst of significant organizational change was both humbling and exhilarating.”