Disclosed herein is a sample collection apparatus. The sample collection apparatus includes a self-sampling pad and a cell fixing container, wherein the sample collection pad includes a filter unit, the structure and material of which are such that cells, viruses and DNAs contained in vaginal secretions can be efficiently absorbed and attached to the filter unit and can be efficiently detached from the filter unit in a cell preserving solution after the filter unit is removed and put into the cell preserving solution. Thus, the filter unit includes at least one adsorbent layer which is formed of a hydrophobic material having low fineness and high resilience.