Public Health Masters Personal Statement Sample

Ready to kick off your adventure toward a Masters in Public Health? That’s awesome! But before you dive into all those exciting courses and projects, there’s one key step: crafting your personal statement. This is your chance to shine a spotlight on your passion for public health, share your unique stories, and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the programme. To help you get rolling, we’ve put together a sample personal statement to spark your creativity and guide you in making your own standout piece. Let’s jump in and make your application as impactful as your future in public health!

Just remember, this is meant to inspire you, not serve as a strict template. For some solid advice, be sure to check out our full guide on writing a killer postgraduate personal statement. It won’t do the writing for you, but it’ll definitely make the process a lot smoother!

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into sharp relief the disparities between health outcomes on both local and global scales. Far from it being ‘the great leveller’, as some in the government and media were fond of describing the novel coronavirus in the first half of 2020, COVID-19 has disproportionally affected those from marginalised communities.

Seeing the effect of the pandemic on my family and friends has inspired me to apply for a Masters in Public Health (MPH) at your university. I feel deeply passionate about making sure that the next time a pandemic happens, we’ll have a better system in place to deal with the repercussions, learning from the success stories that have emerged over the past few years.

I graduated last year with a first-class degree in Biomedical Sciences and have since worked in an editorial role for a major medical science communications publisher, contributing blogs and editing submitted papers before publication. This has given me a fantastic insight into the cutting-edge work that is being done around the world in medicine.

Watching and reading the commendable work of prominent public health practitioners like Devi Sridhar and Jonathan Van-Tam has convinced me of the vital role that clear, honest and expert communicators can play during a pandemic – often stepping up to fill the void left by elected officials.

I believe that your MPH programme will provide me with the skills needed to contribute to society from a public health perspective in the years to come. I’m particularly enthused by the range of modules you offer in epidemiology and infectious disease modelling, as well as the options to specialise in global health.

Outside of my studies and work, I’ve spent the past couple of years volunteering with a local mutual aid group, delivering medicine and essentials for people who are shielding or isolating.

As I’ve already touched upon, there is a clear role that public health professionals can play in influencing the policy of local, national and international organisations. I think that the Masters in Public Health at your institution offers the perfect platform from which to begin impacting policy in a positive sense, providing numerous opportunities to connect with thought leaders.

Main takeaways

• Show your passion for public health: Let your enthusiasm shine! Whether it’s a personal experience, a community project, or a global health issue that lights your fire, make sure to share what drives your passion for public health. Your excitement is contagious!
• Be authentic: This is your moment to shine, so let your true self come through! Skip the formalities and share your unique quirks. Are you the friend who’s always discussing health trends or advocating for community wellness? Let that personality pop!
• Connect your experiences: Weave your past experiences into your future goals. Whether it’s internships, volunteer work, or that time you organised a health fair, explain how these moments have shaped your desire to dive deeper into public health.
• Highlight your skills: Got some relevant skills or knowledge? Don’t hold back! Showcase any research, data analysis, or community outreach experience that proves you’re ready to tackle the challenges of a Masters programme.
• Wrap it up with a bang: Finish strong! Leave the reader with a memorable conclusion—whether it’s a bold statement about your future aspirations in public health or a fun fact that ties back to your passion, make sure it sticks in their minds!