Think beyond

Major: Psychology

Q. Why did you choose Drew?
A. I was looking for a small liberal arts college. Drew seemed like the right place for me, academically and socially. Also, the fact that Drew had a psychology program was a draw.

Q. Have you done research projects while at Drew?
A. This past summer, I received a grant that enabled me to do research at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven. I looked at how social and non-social stimuli affect the brain’s response inhibition. I showed college-age students pictures of different stimuli such as baby faces, then x’s and o’s. The goal was to see how the brain responds to those stimuli and how that response links to behavior.

Q. Which psychology professors have had the greatest impact on you?
A. Every psychology professor I’ve had at Drew impacted me in a positive way. The three who have been most helpful include Janet Davis, who is my thesis adviser. She’s been very helpful with my thesis. Patrick Dolan is a wonderful professor and really helped me understand research. I had Ann Saltzman for social psychology and the history of psychology. She brings a unique outlook to the field.

Q. What’s next for you after Drew?
A. This summer, I start work as an electroencephalogram (EEG) technician at the Yale Child Study Center. While there I will try to get as much experience as possible and conduct some of my own research. After that I’d like to go on to a clinical Ph.D. program. I’m still not sure if I want to be a clinician or a research scientist.

Q. What other skills do you feel you’ve developed at Drew?
A. I think I’ve developed a critical eye, whether it’s talking to someone or hearing information from different media. Studying psychology has taught me to look at things critically and dig a little deeper.

Q. Do you have other impressions of Drew that might help a prospective student understand the school?
A. Drew has a lot to offer for being a small school, both socially and academically. I’ve made really close friends here. In the classroom, it’s been very helpful to have such a small environment. It also helps to have a mentor who’s rooting for you.