Reading My IVY League Personal Statement that Got Me Into all 8 Schools

Summary

In this video, Dr. Vanda Khalifa, a PhD student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, shares her successful 2018 statement of purpose that gained her admission to top schools like Harvard, Columbia, and Yale. She discusses the structure and key elements of writing a powerful personal statement, highlighting the importance of storytelling, academic and professional experiences, and future career goals. Dr. Khalifa also provides tips on showcasing resilience, leadership, and fitness for the program, using her journey from a rural Ghanaian community to her current academic achievements as an example.

Takeaways

• 📚 Dr. Vanda Khalifa is a PhD student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, also pursuing a dual master's in Public Health and Business Administration.
• 📝 The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a critical part of an application and serves as a personal marketing pitch to the admissions committee.
• 🎯 A compelling SOP should tell a clear and powerful story that highlights academic, professional experiences, and personal motivations.
• 🏅 In her SOP, Dr. Khalifa introduced herself by sharing her background growing up in an underserved community in Ghana and her journey to becoming a medical doctor.
• 🌍 She emphasized her passion for public health, focusing on her experiences in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali, where she worked on reducing the impact of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
• 💡 Dr. Khalifa stressed the importance of public health interventions, preventive care, and the need for stronger public health policies, especially in West Africa.
• 👩‍⚕️ Her experiences in medical outreach programs, public health advocacy, and work with the UN shaped her desire to pursue a dual degree in Public Health and Business Administration.
• 🎓 She chose Johns Hopkins because of the flexibility of the program, allowing her to customize coursework, and its strong alumni network.
• 🎯 In the conclusion of her SOP, she laid out her career goals of improving global health, particularly in her home country, and becoming a leader in health-related organizations.
• 💼 She shared essential tips for writing an SOP: highlight strong academic performance, resilience, leadership, volunteer work, and explain any gaps in your CV.

Q & A

What are some key points that should be included in a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose should include a compelling story, academic and professional experiences, current interests, future career goals, and a demonstration of written communication skills. It should also highlight exceptional grades, resilience, leadership potential, and unique projects or volunteerism.

Why is the introduction of a statement of purpose important?

The introduction is crucial because it captures the admissions committee's attention and helps them remember the applicant. It should creatively express the applicant's story and demonstrate resilience and exceptional achievements.

What challenges did Dr. Vanda Khalifa face during her early education in Ghana?

Dr. Vanda Khalifa faced challenges such as attending a poorly resourced secondary school in an underserved community in Ghana, where poverty, infectious diseases, and malnutrition were prevalent.

How did Dr. Khalifa overcome obstacles in her educational journey?

Despite attending a deprived school, Dr. Khalifa topped her district in the final secondary school examination and was admitted to the University of Ghana, where she pursued her dream of becoming a medical doctor.

What motivated Dr. Khalifa to pursue public health instead of focusing solely on clinical practice?

While working as a medical intern, Dr. Khalifa noticed that many preventable diseases and lifestyle-related illnesses, such as tuberculosis and diabetes, were causing high mortality rates. This motivated her to shift her focus toward public health, as she saw that public health interventions could greatly reduce these issues.

What experiences solidified Dr. Khalifa's decision to pursue a career in public health?

Her deployment to Côte d'Ivoire and Mali as a medical officer for the United Nations during peacekeeping missions exposed her to the impact of public health interventions in reducing communicable and non-communicable diseases, reinforcing her commitment to public health.

What is the significance of Dr. Khalifa's deployment with the United Nations in her career path?

Dr. Khalifa's deployment in Côte d'Ivoire and Mali provided her with practical experience in public health. She implemented preventive health measures that led to reduced infections and hospital admissions, confirming her passion for public health and global health leadership.

Why did Dr. Khalifa choose the Bloomberg School of Public Health for her Master's degree?

Dr. Khalifa chose the Bloomberg School of Public Health for its prestige, the flexibility to customize elective coursework, and its unique curriculum structure. The diverse student body and strong alumni network were also important factors in her decision.

What are Dr. Khalifa's future career goals after completing her dual degree?

Dr. Khalifa aims to work closely with the public health division in her country to improve healthcare delivery and reduce the impact of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. She aspires to become a leader in health-related organizations on both local and global scales.

What advice does Dr. Khalifa offer for writing a strong statement of purpose?

Dr. Khalifa advises applicants to ensure their statement of purpose demonstrates attributes such as exceptional academic performance, leadership potential, unique projects or volunteerism, and resilience. It's also important to align the statement with the program’s goals and demonstrate overall fitness for the program.