Why I Chose Psychology and Neuroscience by Carley

Why I Chose Psychology and Neuroscience by Carley - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

Until a couple of years ago, I was unsure what I wanted to do with my life. Then a few things happened, and it all became clear. When I was twelve years old, my father passed away, and even though it was during the COVID pandemic, my mother was able to find an adolescent therapist who specializes in trauma and was able to see me via Zoom. At first, I met with Dr. Kate whenever I needed her. Sometimes that was twice a week, sometimes three times a week, and sometimes more frequently. She helped me navigate my grief, but also how to move forward and not use my trauma as an excuse to shut down. I had told my father, as he was in the ICU, just moments before he passed, that I would continue to work hard and do whatever I could to make him proud.

A year after he passed away, we moved to Mississippi to be closer to my mom's family. Three years ago, she started working as a school principal in a residential facility for psychiatric children and teenagers. Without disclosing personal information, she told me about some of the situations these teens and children came from and how it affected them. I often thought, "If they had a Dr. Kate in their lives, perhaps they would have been able to overcome their trauma rather than act out in negative or dangerous ways." I wished terribly that they had the kind of support that I had.

The last thing that helped guide me toward psychology and neuroscience happened last summer, when I was given the opportunity to attend a National Student Leadership Conference at Duke University for Psychology and Neuroscience. We attended talks by psychiatrists, doctors, scientists, and psychologists, toured and interviewed patients and employees of a mental health facility, and researched many mental health disorders and how the brain is affected. It was an amazing experience that shaped how I look at my future.

I returned home after that conference, and as I processed everything I had experienced, I realized that I want to be Dr. Kate for other teens. I want to be able to help children and teenagers through their trauma and show them that it does not have to define them. I know the importance of having someone who is knowledgeable and caring in your corner to help navigate you through the struggles, and I want to be that person for others. I had initially planned to major in psychology. Still, after attending the conference, I knew that understanding the brain and how it affects or is affected by mental health was just as important as learning about the various disorders. I will be attending a university that allows you to study neuroscience and psychology (several schools I looked at required students to choose between the two) because they also understand the connection's importance. I will get to continue school through a doctoral program, which will develop my expertise and increase my ability to help others.