However, Ware and students add that relevant course work for each department can prove to be the extra-needed edge for admission and can help the transition to the graduate level work.

Since all programs require an introductory class in biostatistics, the students recommend taking an undergraduate statistics course.

Mase further recommends a basic economic course, such as Social Analysis 10: "Principles of Economics."

Also Ware and Norton say that multi-variable calculus or applied math can help students.

However, Chan says students do not need to be too concerned about having exactly the right credentials because the introductory courses "start slow."

For departments such as cancer biology or environmental health, Ware and Norton agree that a solid knowledge of biology or the physical sciences is somewhat necessary.

Ware and Norton also recommend a much broader basis in the humanities including liberal arts and social science to those interested in pursuing a degree in fields such as epidemiology.

Norton says he found a general education class about cancer, science and society to be a good insight into the field of public health.

Extracurricular activities and jobs can even fill the seeming void in an application if they are appropriate to an applicant's field of interest, Daniels says.

Bertone says she considers her undergraduate work with the Peer Counseling Group Response to be a "valid experience," adding that SPH seems impressed by students who have dedicated their time to public service as well.

"I think they are looking for people who are interested in [helping] the community," she says.

She adds that working in a lab in college helps to make the transition to laboratory science with a slant on public health smoother.

Mase agrees on the importance of activities, saying they can sometimes determine the path a student takes to get into SPH as well as the field they decide to pursue.

He says he learned about different approaches to international medicine from rotations he did abroad for his residency and a fellowship he did in pain management.

Chan says she was first exposed to SPH in the "Summer in the Sciences" program after her sophomore year in college when she was paired with a member of the faculty at SPH. She then continued to work for professor until graduation.