The staff at Global Health Corps’ head office in New York reveal their secrets to the five most common issues and questions applicants confront when starting the application (and what was going through my head when I applied).
I had all of these doubts and worries and not enough coffee in the world to overcome them easily, just like you. Take it from one current fellow—every single current and former fellow went through what you will go through— chocolate within reach and a supportive friend go a long way to help power through the application. The worst thing you could do is not apply and kick yourself for missing your shot!
1. OMG, how did I not hear about this until a month before the deadline?
GHC Staff: Don’t worry, there’s still time! Last year, GHC received a significant number of fellowship applications during the final month that applications were open. Still, GHC encourages you to apply early – it gives us more time with your application!
Elisabeth: I applied about a week before the deadline in a mix of desperation and woe and hope. Join the club.
2. There is no way I’m going to have a chance with this fellowship–I don’t have a health degree!
GHC Staff: There are plenty of roles for applicants without degrees in health! Last year, only 21% of applicants had Master’s Degrees in any field, and just 1% of applicants had a Master’s of Public Health. 14% of current fellows reported health-related fields to be their primary field of study in school and 2% of current fellows have an M.D.
Elisabeth: GHC offers opportunities that don’t require health degrees that in the “real world” would be impossible to get from a job site. I encountered the Catch-22 of wanting to work in malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, but that usually required an MPH (even in communications!) and at least a year of developing country work experience. Improving health outcomes for the world’s poorest requires business types, social workers, lawyers, communications, designers, architects, pharmacists, accountants. Your skill set is needed!
3. MUST WRITE PROFOUND THINGS. Writer’s block, we’re not friends.
GHC Staff: The two most important things we look for in our applicants, beyond professional experience, are leadership potential and the desire to join a community of committed changemakers. Our view of leadership potential focuses on the 6 GHC leadership practices which include adaptability, ability to inspire others, and collaboration.
Elisabeth: Writing the essay section is nerve-wracking. Instead of trying to make it a cover letter full of lengthy accomplishments and awards, instead, focus on a moment. Tell a story, like you would to a good friend when explaining what possessed you to apply to this fellowship. The essay section is an opportunity to explain how GHC fits into your big life plan, both professionally and personally, and how you want to grow, and most importantly, how you’d fit into the GHC community.
4. All nighter: Caffeine. Soothing music. Locked door. Go.
GHC Staff: Spellcheck your entire application, then spellcheck it again. Make sure that you’ve proofread your essays in the online application, since some essays get cut off while pasting the text into our online form. Avoid using jargon and technical acronyms; don’t assume that the people reading your application will already know what you’re talking about.
Elisabeth: Avoid the temptation to start writing about 45 minutes before the deadline. The questions in the application are available here so you can write answers up in a Word document ahead of time. Sleep on it, because your amazing essay from 1 AM Thursday night will look very different at 10 AM Friday. Bring another pair of eyeballs to read your answers for a fresh set of edits and suggestions.
5. Nervous eat-all-the-cookies waiting.
GHC Staff: Applications close at 11:59pm EST on February 3, 2015. During February and March, we read and review all applications at least twice. In March, up to 10 semi-finalists are selected for each position, and we notify all applicants of their application status. Once all semifinalists have been interviewed, 3-5 finalists for each position are chosen. Placement organizations then interview the finalists for their positions and fellowship offers are extended in April and May. We have intentionally built the review process to include multiple layers of reviews and interviews, and we take each application seriously. To be selected, candidates are reviewed by at least 4 separate readers and interviewed twice.
Elisabeth: Your application is in excellent hands. Namely in my hands and the hands of all current GHC fellows, who will be reviewing applications, in addition to a giant network of GHC staff and partners. There were nearly 5,000 applications last year for 128 positions, but rest assured, yours will be read with great care. After all, we went through the same thing exactly a year ago!
Here’s a cookie. Now go apply.