Judieannah
Apr 14, 2015
Graduate / My path to a college education has been filled with bumps, detours and roadblocs - MPA Application [12]
An essay of 500-1000 words that describes a challenge facing your organization, field of interest, or a public policy issue. Discuss how your experience and proposed degree choice will help you address the challenge. Be sure to include why you want to pursue graduate studies at Baruch, and your career goals.
My path to a college education has been filled with bumps, detours and roadblocks. The path has not always been clear, but I've kept my eyes opened, focused on the road ahead, and the experience has made all the difference. It took me a bit longer to complete my undergraduate education, but I consider it to be my greatest achievement. I paid for it through struggles and sacrifice throughout a great deal of my life. Against all odds, and my tenaciousness, I am applying to the Executive MPA program at the School of Public Affairs at the tender age of 50 plus. I am honest enough to admit that my undergraduate academic history is not stellar, but it was my tenacity that got me through and I am counting on that same tenaciousness, natural curiosity, and the will to serve to carry me through. Shirley Chisholm once said, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on this earth."
Compared to other industrialized countries, the United States lags behind in programs that are directly geared to the nation's healthcare system and preventative care. Children and the elderly are the most impacted segment of our society. The current economic struggles are exacerbating this situation as state and local governments seek to slash funding for public healthcare programs. This problem resonates deeply with me, and I hope to someday work on finding a solution. It is for this reason that I am applying to the graduate program in public administrations at the School of Public Affairs, Baruch College: I seek the skills and knowledge needed to become part of the solution of this ongoing problem.
My interest in healthcare evolved in 2006, when my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. This condition, coupled with her other existing age related diseases temporarily derailed my journey to acquiring a college degree. I was enrolled in a full course load but I dropped a few classes so that I could spend more time with my mother and became her primary care giver. I felt so helpless because I did not know how to help her. My entire working experience was primarily in the private financial sector. I was ill equipped to deal with my new responsibilities.
There are no social programs readily available to bridge the gap between healthcare accessibility and affordability for the most vulnerable of our society; women, children and the elderly. I was directly confronted with this issue. My first introduction to public healthcare came when I became the healthcare proxy and provider for my mother. I still remember the hurdles that I had to overcome in order to secure proper healthcare for her. One of my more notable experiences was accessing the medication that she needed for her cancer treatment. Although she had medical insurance through Medicaid/Medicare, she was not qualified for Medicaid prescription assistance because she exceeded the income limitations by $20.00. As a result, she was not eligible for prescription assistance and was forced to seek assistance elsewhere to cover the cost of her chemotherapy medication. I was able to access a charitable foundation through my employer which financed the monthly treatment. Without the CFAC coalition's financial assistance, paying for treatment would have been difficult and she would not have had any other recourse. This is one of many experiences that exemplify the obvious problems that plague our healthcare system.
I find my interest now lies in the public sector, primarily in public healthcare management. Medicaid/Medicare and healthcare rationing presents a range of problems to healthcare professionals who are desperately trying to navigate the minefield of bureaucratic red tape. With the introduction of the Affordable Healthcare Act, it is an infusion of optimism and hope in the arm of the nation's healthcare system. Everyone will be able to have affordable and quality healthcare through mandatory insurance coverage. This overwhelming endeavor will take several years before it is fully implemented and its effectiveness is at its fullest capacity.
I believe I am well prepared for graduate work. I have acquired the necessary background knowledge by taking courses in the areas of psychology and sociology, including research methods, statistics, psychological research and psychotherapy. I have assisted in organizing public health fair events sponsored by community block associations in conjunction with community districts; interacted with social workers and leaders and discuss areas in need of effective and quality care in low income communities. I've also helped in organizing workshops geared towards well care / health fairs including, but not limited to Blood Pressure and Diabetes screening; Obesity and eating disorders group support; distribute information on heart disease and breast cancer awareness and mental health. These activities only confirm my growing interest in public healthcare and managed care.
My interest in public healthcare management is to find ways to develop and improve the types of services available to the elderly, women and children on a systemic level. I want a chance to be involved in organizing, managing, developing, and shaping urban social policies related to healthcare management and preventative care. I believe the executive MPA program will prepare me to do just that. By studying in the program I will learn about established social systems, assessment and intervention strategies. Moreover, Baruch Collage's emphasis on urban issues appeals to me enormously. Baruch's MPA program will prepare me with the knowledge and training necessary to make a positive and progressive contribution to the ever-evolving landscape of civic service and public policy. I believe that I can be a contributing force in implementing the Affordable Healthcare Act to its full capacity. We must be able to achieve efficiency without sacrificing quality.
I am very aware of the superb reputation of the School of Public Affairs. Its competitive internship programs and scholarship programs my interaction and networking with alumni have served to cement my interest in attending. Being alumni is an added advantage in my decision to pursue a graduate degree at your fine institution. I know that in addition to the excellent faculty, the computer facilities are among the best in the city. I believe that my struggles, perseverance and triumph throughout my undergraduate studies qualify me as a unique and ideal candidate for the School of Public Affairs Executive Program.
I am optimistic and look forward to the challenge of serving communities and participating in such a dynamic and challenging field.
An essay of 500-1000 words that describes a challenge facing your organization, field of interest, or a public policy issue. Discuss how your experience and proposed degree choice will help you address the challenge. Be sure to include why you want to pursue graduate studies at Baruch, and your career goals.
My path to a college education has been filled with bumps, detours and roadblocks. The path has not always been clear, but I've kept my eyes opened, focused on the road ahead, and the experience has made all the difference. It took me a bit longer to complete my undergraduate education, but I consider it to be my greatest achievement. I paid for it through struggles and sacrifice throughout a great deal of my life. Against all odds, and my tenaciousness, I am applying to the Executive MPA program at the School of Public Affairs at the tender age of 50 plus. I am honest enough to admit that my undergraduate academic history is not stellar, but it was my tenacity that got me through and I am counting on that same tenaciousness, natural curiosity, and the will to serve to carry me through. Shirley Chisholm once said, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on this earth."
Compared to other industrialized countries, the United States lags behind in programs that are directly geared to the nation's healthcare system and preventative care. Children and the elderly are the most impacted segment of our society. The current economic struggles are exacerbating this situation as state and local governments seek to slash funding for public healthcare programs. This problem resonates deeply with me, and I hope to someday work on finding a solution. It is for this reason that I am applying to the graduate program in public administrations at the School of Public Affairs, Baruch College: I seek the skills and knowledge needed to become part of the solution of this ongoing problem.
My interest in healthcare evolved in 2006, when my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. This condition, coupled with her other existing age related diseases temporarily derailed my journey to acquiring a college degree. I was enrolled in a full course load but I dropped a few classes so that I could spend more time with my mother and became her primary care giver. I felt so helpless because I did not know how to help her. My entire working experience was primarily in the private financial sector. I was ill equipped to deal with my new responsibilities.
There are no social programs readily available to bridge the gap between healthcare accessibility and affordability for the most vulnerable of our society; women, children and the elderly. I was directly confronted with this issue. My first introduction to public healthcare came when I became the healthcare proxy and provider for my mother. I still remember the hurdles that I had to overcome in order to secure proper healthcare for her. One of my more notable experiences was accessing the medication that she needed for her cancer treatment. Although she had medical insurance through Medicaid/Medicare, she was not qualified for Medicaid prescription assistance because she exceeded the income limitations by $20.00. As a result, she was not eligible for prescription assistance and was forced to seek assistance elsewhere to cover the cost of her chemotherapy medication. I was able to access a charitable foundation through my employer which financed the monthly treatment. Without the CFAC coalition's financial assistance, paying for treatment would have been difficult and she would not have had any other recourse. This is one of many experiences that exemplify the obvious problems that plague our healthcare system.
I find my interest now lies in the public sector, primarily in public healthcare management. Medicaid/Medicare and healthcare rationing presents a range of problems to healthcare professionals who are desperately trying to navigate the minefield of bureaucratic red tape. With the introduction of the Affordable Healthcare Act, it is an infusion of optimism and hope in the arm of the nation's healthcare system. Everyone will be able to have affordable and quality healthcare through mandatory insurance coverage. This overwhelming endeavor will take several years before it is fully implemented and its effectiveness is at its fullest capacity.
I believe I am well prepared for graduate work. I have acquired the necessary background knowledge by taking courses in the areas of psychology and sociology, including research methods, statistics, psychological research and psychotherapy. I have assisted in organizing public health fair events sponsored by community block associations in conjunction with community districts; interacted with social workers and leaders and discuss areas in need of effective and quality care in low income communities. I've also helped in organizing workshops geared towards well care / health fairs including, but not limited to Blood Pressure and Diabetes screening; Obesity and eating disorders group support; distribute information on heart disease and breast cancer awareness and mental health. These activities only confirm my growing interest in public healthcare and managed care.
My interest in public healthcare management is to find ways to develop and improve the types of services available to the elderly, women and children on a systemic level. I want a chance to be involved in organizing, managing, developing, and shaping urban social policies related to healthcare management and preventative care. I believe the executive MPA program will prepare me to do just that. By studying in the program I will learn about established social systems, assessment and intervention strategies. Moreover, Baruch Collage's emphasis on urban issues appeals to me enormously. Baruch's MPA program will prepare me with the knowledge and training necessary to make a positive and progressive contribution to the ever-evolving landscape of civic service and public policy. I believe that I can be a contributing force in implementing the Affordable Healthcare Act to its full capacity. We must be able to achieve efficiency without sacrificing quality.
I am very aware of the superb reputation of the School of Public Affairs. Its competitive internship programs and scholarship programs my interaction and networking with alumni have served to cement my interest in attending. Being alumni is an added advantage in my decision to pursue a graduate degree at your fine institution. I know that in addition to the excellent faculty, the computer facilities are among the best in the city. I believe that my struggles, perseverance and triumph throughout my undergraduate studies qualify me as a unique and ideal candidate for the School of Public Affairs Executive Program.
I am optimistic and look forward to the challenge of serving communities and participating in such a dynamic and challenging field.
