I want to apply ED if I can make a decision in time! I’d just love to know what school I’m going to if I can get accepted. I want to major in public health and possibly double major with anthropology and then minor in Spanish. Right now I’m debating between George Washington University, Boston University, and University of Georgia. UGA is my least fav but it’s in-state so I’d be going for close to free, plus there’s the bonus of football. I’m touring GWU and American in October and might try to tour Boston. Does anyone have any insight into the locations/schools/major? I eventually want to join the Peace Corps, work with non-profits, etc. Also, study abroad is a HUGE thing for me! I like that DC offers better access to internships and non-profits and is more of an international city but Boston is more of a tight-knit college community. I want a school that has good school spirit/social life but still prestige and offers me really good opportunities. If you have any insight let me know! Or if you have any other school recommendations I’m open to that!
BU does not have an undergraduate major in public health. They have a minor and accelerated undergrad/MPH programs. The preferred degree for a career in public health is the MPH.
Is BU’s major in Health Sciences not similar/the same as public health?
You might want to check out UGA’s MPH program: https://publichealth.uga.edu/apply-now/dual-degree-programs/
You didn’t mention budget, but there is a big difference in cost between an MPH at a private school and UGA with the Hope/Zell scholarship.
The price difference is an important factor I’m taking into account. I know that at UGA they offer what I want however I know the other schools are out of state which is what I want and are in bigger cities which give me way more opportunities. UGA’s programs are ones I have taken into account though
Yes, there are lots of internship opportunities in D.C. However, many on them are unpaid. Don’t underestimate your ability to fund an internship (or study abroad) with the savings in cost.
Public Health is mostly a grad degree. you can join the Peace Corps with any major. (obviously, adding foreign language is a big plus.)
My recommendation is to attend UGa for near free, choose any liberal arts major of interest, perhaps even Spanish and Spanish Lit, volunteer for Peace Corps and then get an MPH at a top school (Harvard/Hopkins) for prestige.
Or study a major of your choice + French through the 6th semester and a Western African language (wolof, lingala…) => Peace corps - > MPH.
Hey OP - I have a PhD in public health and have a lot of friends in the field. It’s true that the basic, entry-level degree in the field is an MPH. However, you can still get meaningful work with a bachelor’s in public health.
Atlanta is the public health capital of the world, and Athens is only about 45-60 minutes from Atlanta. Before you assume that BU or GWU would have more opportunities for internships and connected learning, I’d investigate what UGA has on offer and the partnerships they potentially have. You can save a LOT of money by choosing UGA over those expensive private schools, which are not known for giving financial aid.
I’m also curious why you aren’t considering 1) Emory, which has two related majors (Human Health, which is more public health-related; and Health Innovations, which is more the business of health; and 2) Georgia State and their BS in public health. They are both right in Atlanta; Emory is co-located with parts of the CDC; and I’m pretty sure Emory’s financial aid is better than BU’s or GWU’s.
Distance is not necessarily the driver of novelty or “newness.” It’s your ability to seek out fresh opportunities wherever you are. A person could move across the country and fall into the same routines and ways they’ve always had. Or they can stay where they are and completely reinvent themselves.
We visited GWU last Spring (along with American). GWU is in a fantastic location to access all DC has to offer plus it’s a relatively safe and affluent area with good eats and stuff. If you prefer a more traditional campus there’s the Mount Vernon campus about ~15 minutes away-- free shuttles every 5 minutes or so. Lots of Freshman live there and I think the LL communities and Honors housing is there. All students take courses at at both campuses. At GWU if you apply to to Elliott you can BA/BS in International Affairs and concentrate in Global Public Health.
Indeed, the CDC offers a ton of opportunities to those in Atlanta I suspect those in Athens can take advantage of many of them too, perhaps in summer/breaks if during the semester is too much of a commute.
Tulane has a unique tropical medicine/public health program. It’s mainly a graduate program but undergrads can take classes in it.
GWU’s Public health school is outstanding and it’s opportunities here in D.C is endless. Remember that GWU hospital is responsible for the health of the president and senior level congressman and woman. When thinking about Public health you might also want to consider where you would want to get your M.D as well and it’s easy to do so at GWU. However, cost is very important and you should acknowledge it throughout your search. GWU is 75k a year. Keep that in mind.