My Top 4 Things to Consider When Applying to Graduate School

Desiree

Rigor of Program

• Understand that all programs are not created equal. You want to choose a school that will give you the proper training to prepare you to be a leader in your field.  This one can be tricky to assess. While we all love rankings, and top programs are usually synonymous with rigor, I encourage reaching out to students and talking to them to learn more.

Faculty

• You obviously want to go to a place where people are top in the field, however and more importantly, you want to go to a school where the faculty is invested in you as a professional and as a person. If faculty are invested in you, then they will ensure they are supplying you all that you need to develop as a professional. It’s nice to say that you went to a school where ground-breaking Professor X teaches. But more importantly, did you take a course with that professor? Was he or she accessible to you?

Resources

• Are there many opportunities to conduct research? Do events such as guest lecturers, symposiums, and events that help augment one’s educational experience happen on campus? If so, how often? What type of professional and student organizations does the school have? Is there freedom to found my own organization if there is a need? Be sure to check out what types of opportunities are available outside of the classroom. These matter!

School Culture

• What does the school value? Diversity? Health Disparities? Innovation? Is the school student-centered? More importantly, are the values and culture of the schools ones that you agree with or align with? Does the school facilitate personal growth outside of one’s area of academic study?

This Time

Desiree

Hi Everyone,

School is back in full swing and I am exhausted already. Between being a full-time student, having various leadership roles, and job hunting (which is a full time job in itself), I find myself either super late or super early.

I know that I must cherish this time. UM SPH is a special place.

I am looking forward to many great things this semester:

• The 26^th Annual PHSAD Minority Health Conference, which will focus on the importance of effectiveness and best practices of HIV/AIDS prevention among youth. To register, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/umphsadconference2013
• Expanding quality improvement project opportunities for IHI Open School Members
• Completing what I hope will be my terminal degree
• Beginning my career and truly becoming a change agent
• Restaurant Week in Ann Arbor
• Enjoying the rest of my time as a student
• Learning as much as I can and utilizing every resource that I have not used in the past
• Whatever else may come

What are you looking forward to this semester?

Toxic Inspiration

Desiree

You need to attend the Toxic Tour of Detroit, no matter what your discipline of study is. It occurs in the fall semester, and is meant to build awareness around environmental issues that are happening in Detroit.

Yes, I will admit that I am biased. As a native Detroiter, I feel that any issue that Detroit is facing, I am facing. But I promise that if you are completely and unapologetically disinterested in the City of Detroit, that going on the Toxic Tour of Detroit will get you engaged. The environmental issues affecting Detroit are more than likely happening in the area that you are from, or at least not too far from it.

Detroit Institute of Arts

The tour made me think of many things, such as what can be done with industrial structures that are no longer in use, and how communities can organize themselves and successfully get their demand for a healthier environment where they live realized.

Highlighted on the tour were landmarks that have toxic environmental implications such as the Detroit Incinerator, the site of the Old Uniroyal Plant, the Ambassador Bridge, and the Packard Plant in Hamtramck. U of M faculty as well as local environmental activists led the tour.  As a native Detroiter, I was proud to see such a great deal of efforts being organized around environmental issues, many of which were led by locals. The tour showed me the challenges that environmental activists in my city are facing.

In between going from one environmental hazardous area to the next, were attractions such as the DIA, but also some of the most beautiful, historic neighborhoods on the planet.

Detroit Incinerator

I felt a sense of personal obligation after going on the tour. Now that I am aware of the environmental issues that are facing Detroit, I can no longer ignore what I am no longer ignorant to. Although I do not know what my role in environmental activism in Detroit will be, I am certain that I will have one.

Promoting a Culture of Health

Desiree

On September 12, 2012 I attended the kick-off of the National Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative here at SPH.

Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, U of M President Mary Sue Coleman, and SPH Dean Martin Philbert gave remarks on the significance of this day in history.

SPH faculty members have contributed greatly to tobacco policy. I am proud to be a student at an academic institution that continues to be so heavily invested in improving the health of so many.

All 3 U-M campuses became smoke free on July 1, 2011.

A panel of tobacco experts offered their perspectives on implementing a tobacco-free campus initiative. The following is just some of the insight they gave on what is necessary for a campus to go tobacco-free:

• It takes effort from everyone
• Take time to implement
• Broaden the ways and reason for a campus to go tobacco-free
• Use peer enforcement

My niece started kindergarten this fall. I look forward to her beginning college in the future, and never knowing a time when people used tobacco on campus.

To view a video of the kick-off, follow the link here:  Tobacco Free College Campus Initiative Launched at U-M

I Encourage You To Fall In Love

Desiree

Hi Everyone,

My name is Desiree McLain. I am a second-year Master of Health Services Administration student in the Department of Health Management and Policy. I hail from Detroit Michigan, but have roots all over the south.

I cannot believe that school begins today! Although I could use another week of summer fun, I am actually excited about my second an final year as an MHSA student in the BEST department in the school – Health Management and Policy! My classes seem very interesting, and I get to reunite with all of the great friends that I have made here at SPH!

At the forefront of my mind, besides coursework, is finding a rewarding position post-graduation that will jumpstart my meaningful and illustrious career.

I have many interests in health care, one being in the areas of patient safety and quality improvement. I fell in love with this area last year through my participation in IHI Open School.

IHI Open School provides opportunities for students to gain exposure in patient safety and quality improvement through collaboration with various departments throughout the University of Michigan health system. I find it to be a great way to gain experience working in a clinical setting with physicians and in an interdisciplinary team. 

I want everyone to fall in love with patient safety and quality and process improvement as I have.  I know that everyone won’t, but I will try to successfully woo as many people this year as I can!

If you are interested in learning more information, feel free to contact me at dyjm@umich.edu.