Grad's guide to graduate admissions essays - Colleen Reding 2015
George Washington university - School of public health and health services
Medicine/nursing/health
Describe the experiences that have shaped your interest in public health.
As a non-pre-med, biology major I have always had my sights set on aspects of science that extend beyond purely medicine. I have used my interest in science as a means to learn about its connections to everyday life, including the role that research plays in the public health arena. Throughout my time at Georgetown I have taken classes that combine scientific processes with their counterparts in public policy. My experiences in classes such as Virology and Parasitology have blended the detail necessary to understand these microorganisms with their impact on public health. By studying the discovery, transmission, and prevention of individual parasites and viruses, I have found myself seeking knowledge in public health practices as well as the molecular arena I had previously been familiar with.
To satisfy my growing desire for knowledge in these two fields I began attending conferences hosted by the Biology of Global Health department at Georgetown and enrolled in an International Health course on Global Patterns of Disease. This most recent course has combined epidemiological processes with a strong background in the public health policies and practices instituted by the WHO, CDC, PAHO, and other international organizations. My professor’s extensive knowledge and broad range of experiences in the field have served as a resource for me to learn about the opportunities available for individuals in public health. I think that George Washington University’s program is a perfect blend of my continued interest in microbiology and my blossoming interest in public health.
How do you propose to use your training and education from GW once you graduate?
The program offered by George Washington University not only combines two areas of study that I am extremely interested in, but it also offers an incredible location for continued work and experiences in the field. I am eager to utilize the resources that the nation’s capital has to offer, especially given its growing demand for individuals that are trained in microbiology and biochemical threat agents.
Upon graduating I would be interested in working for a governmental agency such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Institute of Health, or the Department of Health and Human Services. After gaining valuable hands-on experiences through working with one of these organizations, I would like to return to school and obtain my Ph.D. Through my work with the Howard Hughes Teaching Institute I have gained valuable tools in pedagogical practice, which I hope to ultimately utilize by returning to teach at an institute of higher education. I would hope to utilize the knowledge gained from my experiences in the public health arena to inform and inspire a new generation of individuals to continue the work required by such a crucial field.
