Creative Projects

08. Creative Projects Strategy for Devon Washington

For a Public Health applicant like you, Devon, creative projects should not focus on flashy technology for its own sake but rather on how you can translate data into community insight and show your ability to communicate health information clearly. The committee emphasized that your portfolio should demonstrate analytical skill, quantitative reasoning, and reflection on community health outcomes. Since you have not provided details about your extracurriculars or research experience yet, these projects will help you create tangible evidence of your readiness for a Public Health major—especially at data-driven programs such as Emory, Spelman, and UAB.

Project 1: UAB Policy or Data Brief

Goal: To show that you can synthesize complex research into actionable insights—a key skill for Public Health majors. The committee specifically urged you to create a concise policy or data brief summarizing University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) research findings.

  • Scope: Select one publicly available UAB research article or press release related to community health, epidemiology, or health disparities in Alabama.
  • Deliverable: A two-page PDF brief that summarizes the problem, methodology, key findings, and policy implications in accessible language.
  • Technical Stack: Google Docs or Microsoft Word for drafting; Canva or Adobe Express for layout and design polish.
  • Structure:
    • Title and Citation (APA format)
    • Executive Summary (100 words)
    • Key Findings (bullet points or data visuals)
    • Policy Recommendations (2–3 concise actions)
  • Portfolio Integration: Upload the final PDF to a shared Google Drive folder or create a GitHub repository titled “uab-health-brief-devonwashington”. Include a short README file explaining why you chose this topic and what you learned about communicating research to the public.

Admissions Impact: This project aligns directly with UAB’s research mission and shows that you can bridge academic research and real-world policy—an especially strong narrative for your Public Health application.

Project 2: Community Health Data Visualization

Goal: To demonstrate quantitative reasoning and your ability to interpret and visualize health data. The committee highlighted this as a key opportunity to differentiate your application through applied analysis.

  • Data Sources: Use open datasets such as the CDC Data Portal or the U.S. Census Bureau. Focus on Alabama-specific data—such as vaccination rates, maternal health indicators, or food access.
  • Technical Stack:
    • For beginners: Google Sheets or Tableau Public.
    • For intermediate users: Python (Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn) or R (ggplot2).
  • Deliverable: A single web-based dashboard or a one-page infographic visualizing one key health metric across Alabama counties. Include a short paragraph interpreting the data and suggesting a potential community intervention.
  • Documentation: Save screenshots or export the visualization as a high-resolution image. Post it to your GitHub repository or embed it in a digital portfolio site (e.g., Notion or Wix).

Admissions Impact: This project will allow you to show that you can work with real data, interpret patterns, and communicate findings effectively—skills that resonate with Emory’s and Spelman’s emphasis on evidence-based community engagement.

Project 3: Digital Public Health Portfolio

Goal: To compile your analytical and reflective work into a cohesive story that admissions officers can explore easily. The committee recommended building a digital portfolio linking community health initiatives, research outcomes, and reflections.

  • Platform Options:
  • Structure:
    • Home Page: Short introduction (your academic interests and motivation for Public Health).
    • Projects: Embed your UAB policy brief and data visualization.
    • Reflections: One paragraph per project explaining what you learned about data ethics, health equity, or communication.
    • Contact Page: Include your email and a link to your Common App portfolio upload if applicable.
  • Design Tips: Use color palettes associated with health and clarity (soft blues, greens, and neutrals). Avoid clutter—admissions readers should be able to grasp your impact in under two minutes.

Admissions Impact: A clean, well-structured portfolio demonstrates professionalism and self-direction. For a major like Public Health, it shows that you can organize, interpret, and communicate data responsibly—key traits for success in the field.

GitHub Strategy

Even though Public Health is not a programming-heavy major, a basic GitHub presence signals digital literacy and transparency in your analytical process.

  • Repository Setup: Create a public repository titled “devonwashington-publichealth-portfolio”.
  • Folders:
    • /uab-brief – PDF of your policy brief and README summary.
    • /data-viz – CSV file of your dataset, visualization code (if applicable), and an image of the final chart.
    • /reflections – Short markdown files describing what each project taught you.
  • README.md: Include a concise overview of your projects, tools used, and key takeaways. Keep the tone professional but approachable.
  • Version Control: Commit updates with clear messages (e.g., “Added visualization for county-level obesity rates”). This shows attention to detail and project ownership.

Deliverable Specs Summary

Project Deliverable Platform/Tools Portfolio Output
UAB Policy Brief 2-page PDF summary of UAB research with 2–3 policy recommendations Google Docs, Canva PDF upload + GitHub README
Community Health Data Visualization Infographic or dashboard on Alabama health data Google Sheets, Tableau, or Python/R Image or interactive dashboard link
Digital Public Health Portfolio Website compiling projects and reflections Notion, Google Sites, or GitHub Pages Public link shared in Common App or supplements

Monthly Action Plan (Fall Application Cycle)

Month Actions Target Outcomes
September
  • Select one UAB research topic and draft your 2-page policy brief.
  • Set up GitHub account and repository structure.
  • Begin collecting Alabama health datasets.
 Policy brief draft completed; GitHub initialized.
October
  • Finalize and design the UAB brief in Canva.
  • Build and export your first data visualization.
  • Upload both to GitHub and test sharing links.
 Two polished deliverables ready for portfolio inclusion.
November
  • Create your digital portfolio site and embed both projects.
  • Write short reflections explaining what each project taught you.
  • Cross-link the portfolio in your Common App “Additional Information” or supplements.
 Public portfolio live before Regular Decision deadlines.

Final Integration Notes

These projects are intentionally compact—each can be completed within a few weeks and requires no new institutional affiliation or long-term internship. They build a cohesive narrative around your analytical curiosity and community awareness. When you reference them in essays or interviews, emphasize how they helped you understand the intersection of data, equity, and health outcomes. This approach will give your Public Health applications to Emory, Spelman, and UAB a polished, evidence-based edge while staying authentic to the information you have provided.

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