Graduate School Letter of Intent

Hi All,

This is a letter of intent for a master of public health program. This is only my second draft but i know it must shortened to about 800 words but i couldn't find a way to possible weave in all my experiences that would help me stand out.

Any help would we greatly appreciated!

I wish to apply for the Master of Public Health degree in “Global Health” at the University of XX. I am applying to this program because I believe it is an ideal match to my future career aspirations and goals in the Public Health sector.

I was born and raised in XX and have completed most of my primary, intermediate and secondary schooling there as well. But I ended up pursuing my undergrad in my parents native country of XX. Which always leads to the question “Why?”. Well at first my parents and I thought that it would be a life-changing experience for me if I stayed for a year or two before returning to Canada and completing my undergrad. It sure was a life-changing experience and really showed me numerous things that were available to us here in Canada that are not over there and that I took for granted. When I decided to pursue nursing I found it a lot more profitable if I stayed and finished my education in XX, in regards to the amount of hands on learning and the more practical experience you could gain with the health issue that are apparent everywhere in the country that you are constantly exposed to. I graduated from XX University, with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2011. I was part of the student council there and in my last year I was also the student president of the faculty of Nursing. My strong interest in Science as a child has allowed me to do very well in my nursing education, graduating in the Top 15^th percentile.

My background as a Registered Nurse allowed me to see first hand, the health disparities and morbidities that continue to plague the world and engendered my choice to choose Public Health, and Global Health in particular. My deep interest and predilection in the Public health first began when I was introduced to community health in my Nursing education, and furthermore during the practicum that followed. Especially when it came to working in the rural areas where the vast majority of people are farmers or nomads and have no direct access to health care and are in a struggle to make ends meet, let alone afford health care. This is when it was clear to me that health equality and equity was obviously non-existent and there was a great gap between the rural and urban populations in regards to health. Growing up and living in Canada allowed me to compare the abundant health resources that were readily available to the public and the wanting of these resources in country XX. This helped shaped my focus in my last year of my undergrad to community health, and the avid interest that has resulted in my application to Public Health.

Shortly after graduating I formed my own Non-governmental organization with fellow peers and physicians. We began to conduct health promotion projects that varied from health education of pregnant women during the peri-natal process at primary health care levels to educating school children on various health issues that were present in the community. I began working as a Medical/Surgical Nurse at a local Hospital in the same city where I had the opportunity to utilize my skills and knowledge. It was during my time at the hospital that I recognized a trend in the patients we were treating everyday. The majority of patients were falling sick or even dying from easily manageable diseases or diseases that are totally preventable. Trying to counsel these patients almost always back-fired with a simple bold dismissal of “it is fate that I fell ill”, ignorance and lack of education were prevalent in the community. It hit home when my own Grandmother fell ill with pulmonary tuberculosis (a common disease in the region) she insisted that it was nothing but a persistent cough even though the symptoms were evident, as a way not to burden anyone. In the end she went to the hospital and was diagnosed with multiple morbidities; including heart failure, diabetes type II, tuberculosis and hypertension. All these diseases are preventable and easily manageable when preventive measures are in place and working effectively with the cooperation of the people to help the people attain the highest optimal health possible. So this definitely showed me how significant preventive care really is and how much of a burden the lack of it is. I began to connect and grow a reliable network of Health care workers of the Diaspora and anyone willing to bring about a change. With my ardent initiative I also decided to carry out a study on the prevalence of Non-Communicable disease and their risk factors in the city where I lived, with the help of clinicians and public health experts.

I continued to analyze the health care system in the country and compare and contrast it to that of the Canada. At first it was hard to comprehend how behind XX was in regards to just health alone, but it was primarily due to lack and recognition of the public health sector. With the ongoing and continuing “brain drain” of health professionals going abroad for more secure and higher paying jobs, this has the left the countries health in a very delicate and vulnerable position. This directly correlates to the poor health of the country at large. I believe that change is inexorable with the countries political situation finally make movements in the right direction and rebuilding a country that has been torn to pieces. But more importantly like I mentioned above it will take a lot of innovative strategies and programs that are fit and tailored towards the populations need to tackle these challenges.

So I have come to the realization on how many peoples lives you could drastically change through preventive measure rather than the few yet significant patients we do treat. It is clear to me that Public Health is the most vital aspect of medicine. I foresee myself becoming a Public Health leader in the East African region, addressing the numerous health issues in this region and tackling the emergence of new ones. With a MPH degree in Global health I see myself developing my NGO to reach higher platitudes and transcend across neighboring countries. Also gaining the unparalleled education with research and leadership skills that are necessary in this interdisciplinary program in order to be competitive in this field.

As I researched what University would be best for me, it was conspicuous that the University of XX would be perfect for me being the first accredited Public health school in Canada, with it hands-on learning style, international orientation, and its overall reputation. Doing some research and speaking with some professors, alumni and current students I am confident in my decision.

My passion, academic ability, cultural competency, amicable and nomad persona and multilingual abilities will be a strong contribution to the student body and the Global health program.

Thanks you for considering my application, I look forward to hearing your positive response.