Help with statement of purpose

[frankiejones]

Hi all! Would anyone mind providing feedback on my statement of purpose for admissions to masters of public health. Thanks!

 

 

To the Admissions Committee:

The cost of chronic disease to Canada’s health care system is estimated to be $90 billion dollars annually¹ with approximately one-third of Canadians reportedly living with a chronic condition². It is projected that close to 40% of chronic ailments are largely preventable¹, indicating that poor lifestyle choices can be attributed to nearly half of the chronic diseases suffered by Canadians. These statistics signify the need for intervention on a National level.

 

As a high school student I developed an interest in nutrition and physical activity in an effort to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Throughout the years this interest progressed to a strong passion which I have continued to pursue both in my personal life as well as through academia. In 2005 I completed a Bachelor’s degree in -------- during which time I studied many health-related topics including nutrition, pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology, growth and development, stress and chronic disease, concepts in health promotion, and health promotion and fitness. These studies only served to further pique my enthusiasm for health and healthy living.

 

After taking several years off to travel and live abroad, I returned to academia in 2009 and began a Masters of ---------- with a specialization in ------------- at ---. As a master’s student I had the opportunity to participate in several research projects rooted in the health domain. My master’s thesis was funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant and examined --------------------------------------- and was recently accepted for publication in a high impact international research journal. Additionally, I was employed as a research assistant on a large-scale SSHRC funded project examining--------------------------------. Lastly, I participated in several projects examining-----------------------------. I had the opportunity to present the results of several of these projects in poster format at various academic conferences across Canada.

 

On a personal level, I have followed a vegan diet and habitually pursued a variety of physical activity programs for the past 22 years. My dedication to healthy living has led to many of my friends and family seeking my counsel as to how they may take steps to healthier living. While counselling my family and friends is gratifying, I would like to have a greater impact. My own passion for healthy living drives me to ignite this passion in others. Upon completing my education, I would like to pursue a career entailing tracking the epidemiology of chronic disease and researching the social determinants of health. This may involve working with the government, hospitals, and schools to assist in policy change and the development and implementation of healthy living programs.

 

As a mature student I appreciate the value of education and I am dedicated and enthusiastic about my studies. As a graduate student I acquired invaluable skills which will not only be useful in all further academic pursuits, but also in my forthcoming career. I developed and refined such skills as multi-tasking, time-management, leadership, public speaking, research, and critical thinking. Having already completed a master’s degree, I am confident that I possess the skills and attributes necessary to be successful in the Masters of Public Health program at -------, and that I have the potential to make valuable contributions to the health field. As a former ------- graduate student, I have first-hand knowledge of the exceptional educational experience afforded by -----, and I’m certain the Masters of Public Health program will provide me with the knowledge and aptitudes required to be successful in the public health field.

 

 

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

For an MPH program sounds fine. If it were a Ph.D. program I'd encourage you to exchange some of the biography info with research interests, but that's not the case.