Aviva Schwartz, '11

Q. Why did you choose Emerson?
From the outset, Emerson had a very welcoming feel. Out of all the graduate schools I applied to, Emerson was the only one where both staff and faculty personally reached out to me. I got a live voice on the other end whenever I called, and people were always willing to answer my questions. The Health Communication Program Director even met with me to answer my questions in person.

Q. What do you love about your field/major?
I love how unique the health communication program is – there is no other program in the country that’s quite like it. The collaboration between Emerson and Tufts Medical School is truly one of a kind, and it exposes us to so many different kinds of learning.

Q. What do you like about Emerson?
I enjoy the “community” feel of Emerson. The school is an urban campus but it is still small enough where it definitely feels like a community. People are always willing to help each other out.

Q. How does the Emerson community help you thrive as a student?
Faculty members are very supportive and always willing to go the extra mile for their students. The reference librarians are also extremely helpful.

Q. Describe a typical day or week.
The health communicatio program does not have a typical day per se. The classes are in the evening, usually from 6 to 9:45 PM, which is very convenient for people who work full time or pursue internships. All classes meet once a week, and the schedule is manageable for getting work done.

Q. How have Emerson faculty helped you?
They are always willing to meet with students and discuss papers or projects with them. They are also available all the time via email to answer questions. I find the faculty very approachable and enthusiastic.

Q. How have you changed personally between your first day at Emerson and now?
My research and writing skills are so much more developed, and I really feel like an expert in the field. I am very confident in my writing and public speaking skills.

Q. What do you hope to do with your Emerson degree?
I hope to do health writing and/or medical journalism – a passion that was discovered while in this program.

Q. What advice would you give to an incoming Emerson student?
Be open to all of the opportunities that the program has to offer and challenge yourself – take the classes that seem really hard…. You’ll be glad that you did!