Hi! It’s been a while! I am excited to share that I am a healthcare administrative fellow.
I have been quite busy over the past few months, figuring out what I would like to do career-wise. With so many different avenues in healthcare, from clinical to consulting, I wanted to find an area that could encompass all of my healthcare interests and accompany my non-healthcare interests. Plus, I have been researching different Ph.D./DrPH programs that I would like to apply to in the future. I went back and forth as far as what I would like to do. However, my heart set on applying to administrative fellowships — again.
Yes, you guessed right! I have applied to healthcare administrative fellowships in the past. Although I was not selected initially, I took the year in stride to figure out additional ways I could continue to improve my skill set as a healthcare leader. And hey, would you look at that! I was selected for a fellowship. Now that I am an incoming administrative fellow, I want to do my best to pay it forward and help the next generation of leaders as my predecessors helped me.
With this in mind, here are a few things I recommend you know before applying to healthcare administrative fellowships.
Have Realistic Expectations
One aspect that I believe should be emphasized more often is the statistics regarding healthcare administrative fellowships. Thousands of students in multiple programs nationwide apply for a select number of positions in healthcare organizations, often in the single digits. For example, my administrative fellowship has two fellows each year. Given the odds, I think that it is important to understand them prior to beginning your application(s). With that said, the rest of my tips are much more optimistic!
Apply Early & Strategically
Along the same lines of realistic expectations, I also think it’s good to recognize how daunting the application process can be, particularly if you are applying while in graduate school and/or working. Applications typically open as early as June, with most having a deadline of October 1st. Moreover, applications can be pricey. I would suggest applying to a handful that you are truly interested in.
Network
Attend healthcare professional events. Conduct informational interviews with people in positions you aspire to be in. Find mentors at your school, workplace, or in different organizational groups. A couple of suggestions of groups to be a part of are:
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
- National Association of Health Service Executives (NAHSE)
Another suggestion that I would have is to attend information sessions for administrative fellowships that you are interested in. At these information sessions, you can learn more about the fellowships, including how they are structured, length of time, current projects, location, and potential growth opportunities. They are beneficial because you can have a first-hand perspective of current first-years.
As with all networking, it is also important to put a face to the name on your application. Use LinkedIn to express interest as well!
Use A Spreadsheet to Track Your Applications
If you apply to more than one healthcare administrative fellowship, I strongly recommend utilizing a spreadsheet to track your applications. This can be done using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Applications are either submitted through the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NAFCAS) portal or the health system’s own application portal.
Below is a spreadsheet I used when tracking my fellowship applications:
INSERT BLANK FILE HERE WHEN I GET HOME
Obtain Healthcare And/Or Healthcare-Related Experience
It is essential to have healthcare-related experiences to demonstrate your commitment to healthcare. Ventures such as internships, community outreach, leadership positions, external organizations, or research all show your potential as an administrative fellow! Throughout your undergraduate and graduate years, be sure to participate in these, as they display your capabilities.
Focus Efforts on Your Personal Statement
To me, the personal statement is the keystone of the application. It is one of the best ways for you to tell your story, your ‘why,’ and how your purpose aligns with a healthcare organization. Out of all of the areas to focus on the application, this is one of utmost priority. The personal statement allows you to express yourself best! If you are applying to more than one organization, there is a possibility for essay prompts to change from organization to organization, so pay special attention to this – no copying and pasting! Read your personal statement out loud and have it looked at by a second (or third!) pair of eyes.
Request Letters of Recommendation Early (LOR)
The earlier you can request a LOR, the better! Students, professors, and professionals (just like you!) are all very busy, so it is best practice to request LORs on time.
Maintain High Grades in Your Classes
Learn Concepts Outside of Healthcare
Grades are significant in the application! They directly represent your healthcare and business knowledge to healthcare organizations. Perform well in all of your classes, just as you would with other applications! Transcripts are required for the application process.
If you are having difficulty in a particular course, attend office hours, seek tutors, and ask questions in class as soon as possible. I can guarantee at least one other person will thank you for asking about that difficult concept! Doing these will benefit you in the long run!
Take Care of Yourself!
It can feel like a daunting task to apply to postgraduate opportunities. You think of the future and generation many ‘what if’ scenarios in your head. You might have some feelings of self-doubt or imposter syndrome. Please know that these are totally normal! I definitely felt these feelings at times, as well as many other people. Tons of folks are in the same shoes as you!
Use the self-care techniques that work best for you! Some tips that I have are:
- Apply the POMDORO method. Work on an application for a designated amount of minutes, and then take a break. It keeps your mind fresh.
- Do fun activities that you enjoy! Paint, cook, work out, or browse TikToks.
- Talk to someone you trust about all of your feelings – good or not so good, such as a friend, parent, mentor, or professional. They’re here for you!
And there you have it! These are my tips for having an outstanding application for healthcare administrative fellowships. I wish you the best of luck!
If you have any additional questions about fellowships or have other tips to share, talk about them in the comments below!