I can relate to the panic of trying to draft the perfect list of schools to apply to and ultimately selecting one to pursue your studies. The best advice is to think about what you feel your ideal school should have, the classes or fields you’re most interested in, and the experiences you want to gain while in school. These are the factors I thought were most important to me and the reasons I chose to apply to and eventually attend the Rollins School of Public Health.
Location
The Rollins School of Public Health is located in the Public Health capital of the world. Its proximity to world-renowned public health organizations is noteworthy. Every day as I commute to school, I am still in awe that the CDC is literally steps away from my school, I see it every morning! It is very common for students to get volunteer, REAL, or part-time experience at the CDC, especially because most of our faculty already work there. Rollins partners with other reputable organizations including the American Cancer Society, Task Force for Global Health, CARE, and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Students gain valuable experiences from these partnerships.
Cost of Living
more affordable compared to cities on the East Coast, especially if you have a roommate. You can live comfortably while still getting the city experience and a sound education, which may not have been the case for schools in other locations.
Funded Opportunities
One of the main reasons I applied to Rollins is because of the constantly funded opportunities across departments. RSPH offers funded field experiences and community engagement opportunities with global coverage, prioritizing low and middle-income countries. This factor was of immense appeal to me as I am a solid proponent of hands-on learning, appreciative of any outlets to bring lectures to life. The GFE (Global Field Experience) provides funding to cover the travel expenses attached to pursuing a practicum abroad, mostly during the summertime. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain meaningful experience while not bearing the entire financial burden or expenses of international travel. I am also in the Maternal and Child Health Certificate program and we are offered a one-time travel support grant. The MCH Center of Excellence provides travel awards to us to present MCH-related work or attend MCH-related professional training to cover the cost of travel, conference registration, meals, and accommodation. The fact that I can pursue such interests with the financial backing of the program is just excellent!
Interests and Program Design
I have always been interested in Global Health but only a few top schools had that option. The Hubert Department of Global Health has a flexible setup that allows students to tailor their experience in light of their prospective career paths. The program previously comprised four concentrations (Infectious Disease, Public Health Nutrition, Community Health Development, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Population Studies) that permitted a more in-depth study of Global Health. Although officially declaring a concentration got scrapped with my cohort, students are still able to tailor their degrees towards any of those concentrations by taking specific classes. Overall, the MPH program permits you to add on a certificate or take courses in other departments or Emory graduate schools at a flat tuition rate, that is, without extra cost. A lot of schools permanently moved online since the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing and quarantining due to the pandemic hampered a good portion of my undergraduate experience; so I have a newfound appreciation for face-to-face learning. I was extremely thrilled that the MPH program at Rollins came back on-campus, and has facilitated networking and meaningful human interactions.
School Organizations and Community
In as much as school work is our priority, I love that Rollins has a healthy balance between academic and social time. I promise that no matter what, you will fit into the Rollins community. There is a place where everyone belongs here. Adjusting to undergrad was really hard for me, but I made meaningful connections and most of my good friends from student organizations. I immediately knew that I wanted a supportive community actively involved in the welfare of students and organizations. I have only been here for a few months, but I have greatly benefitted from panels, seminars, fun games, gatherings, and so forth through these student organizations. I am a member of the Georgia Public Health Association (Emory Chapter), Association of Black Public Health Students (ABPHS), and Rollins African Student Diaspora Association (RADSA). These clubs have been a great way to socialize and meet people across other departments, gain leadership skills, and learn about opportunities for professional development- the best of both worlds if you ask me!
Alumni Outcomes
Alumni of this institution have performed excellently globally due in no small part to the stellar education they received from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. While deciding where to apply, I searched for Rollins alumni and current students on LinkedIn. I was utterly pleased to see their present and previous jobs and the impact they have made. Most of our faculty, ADAPs, and even professionals who come back to sit on panels for impactful organizations like Deloitte and the CDC are Rollins Alum. I have also had a couple of interviews for REAL jobs at the CDC, and all my interviewers were recent Rollins Alum. Seeing that just gives me so much hope and joy to know that it could be my turn in a few years. It would be such an honor to build on the precedent that my predecessors have set.
I can go on and on about why I decided to apply to and attend Rollins and how much I love it here, but I do think it’s worth a shot. You’ll love it here! Enjoy this picture of me on my first day of classes (clearly NOT regretting my decision to apply)! 😉
Rollins Student Ambassadors 