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If you’re applying to top graduate programs like Harvard, your Statement of Purpose (SOP) isn’t just another document — it’s your first impression , your story , and your opportunity to stand out among thousands of applicants.
In this post, we’ll walk through Jessica Liu’s successful SOP for the Harvard PhD in Public Health. We’ll break down what made her application compelling, how she structured her narrative, and most importantly — how you can apply these strategies to write your own winning SOP .
Jessica’s SOP is powerful because it:
She doesn’t just list her achievements — she connects them to a larger purpose. That’s the hallmark of a great SOP.
“Do you know what a JUUL is?” Dr. Halpern-Felsher asked me on my first day.
This question immediately draws the reader in. It sets up the central theme of her SOP — understanding youth behavior around vaping and public health policy.
How You Can Use This:
Start with something personal — a moment, challenge, or turning point that led you to your field.
2. Background & Motivation – From Internship to Research Interest
Jessica talks about her summer internship at Stanford with Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, where she reviewed JUUL’s prevention curriculum and discovered its flaws.
She also mentions her published paper in the Journal of Adolescent Health , showing real-world impact.
Key Takeaway:
Don’t just say you’re passionate — show it through action . Highlight one or two meaningful experiences that shaped your academic path.
3. Academic Foundation – What She Learned in Her MPH
Jessica reflects on how her coursework at Yale gave her the theoretical and methodological background needed for doctoral-level research.
“My MPH curriculum has given me the academic foundation to understand the theory behind what drives these health disparities…”
Tip:
Link your academic background to your research goals. Mention specific courses, skills, or theories that prepared you for graduate study.
4. Research Focus – What She Wants to Study Next
Jessica identifies a clear research interest:
“It is imperative that public health research keep up with advancing technology and understand the multi-faceted complexity of health behaviors among youth peer networks.”
She wants to explore how social media influences youth behavior and health choices.
Tip:
Define your research area clearly. Explain why it matters and how it builds on what you’ve already done.
5. Why Harvard – Alignment with Faculty & Resources
Jessica names Professor Vaughan Rees and discusses the Center for Global Tobacco Control at Harvard:
“There are many professors doing work in tobacco use at the Center for Global Tobacco Control… who can support my work.”
This shows program-specific fit — something Harvard values highly.
Tip: Name specific faculty, labs, or resources at the university. Show that you’ve done your homework.
6. Closing – Vision & Contribution
Jessica ends with a forward-looking statement:
“I want to be able to say something as simple as ‘Do you know what a JUUL is?’ and spark a fire in other minds…”
She ties everything back to teaching, mentorship, and shaping future public health research.
Tip:
Close with a vision — not just for your career, but for how you’ll contribute to the field and community.
STRATEGY | EXAMPLE FROM JESSICA |
Start with a hook | “Do you know what a JUUL is?” |
Tell a personal story | Her internship experience |
Show research impact | Published paper influencing policy |
Link past to future | MPH → PhD → independent research |
Name faculty/resources | Prof. Vaughan Rees, Center for Global Tobacco Control |
End with a vision | Teaching, mentoring, shaping public health |
Use this outline when drafting your SOP:
Be specific : Avoid vague statements like “I want to make a difference.”
Avoid clichés : No “passionate about helping people” without context.
Show growth : Don’t just talk about what you did — explain what you learned.
Stay focused : One cohesive narrative > scattered ideas.
Read it aloud : Make sure it flows naturally and sounds like you .
Jessica’s SOP works because it tells a clear, authentic, and strategic story . By following her structure and adapting it to your own journey, you can craft an SOP that stands out — not just for Harvard, but for any top graduate program.
Click Here to get full pdf of Jessica’s Personal statement
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