SVC: The Full Package

Hi Neighbors!

Maura here! I wanted to talk a little bit about my research experience at Saint Vincent. When I chose to be a psychology major, I knew that I would have to go to grad school if I wanted any of the cool psych jobs ;) But when I decided to go to a small liberal arts college, I had so many people tell me that I wouldn't get the same research experience that I would at a big university and this would leave me behind when it came time to apply for grad school.

Well, the time to apply to grad school is quickly approaching (I will start applying in the fall. Yikes!), and I am so happy to say that they were wrong. Last March, I presented my psychology research methods project at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference in Philadelphia (everyone in my Research Methods class was accepted to present at this conference)! Presenting at one conference is great for a resume, but little did I know that I would have the opportunity to present at two more conferences this year. Over spring break, I presented my psychology thesis at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference in New York City, and just last weekend I presented my senior Fred Rogers Scholars research project at the Eastern Communication Association (ECA) Conference in Baltimore.

I went to EPA with 16 other psychology students and three psychology faculty. Going on this trip really brought all of us together as a psychology family. Getting to engage with your professors outside of the classroom makes them much less intimidating :)

The trip to the ECA was just me, my research partner and fellow Fred Rogers Scholar Julianne Bartko, and our adviser Dr. Jessica Harvey. We were the first group from SVC to ever go to ECA, and we even came home with a very unexpected top poster award! I think this speaks volumes to the quality of research that can be done in a not-so-typical research environment :)

I am so glad that I chose to come to Saint Vincent. SVC provides a perfect union between the small college environment and a research university. Saint Vincent has allowed me to combine my interests in psychology and communication and really cater my classes and workload to reflect my interests in both fields. This is such a unique experience that I am so grateful for. I even had the opportunity to apply for an A.J. Palumbo research grant for both conferences. Because I got the Palumbo grant, all of my travel costs (excluding food) were covered. Saint Vincent is providing amazing experiences to its students and truly preparing them for post-grad life.

Long story short, Saint Vincent is the full package. SVC provides individualized attention to its students not present at larger universities but it still provides that valuable research experience.

Please enjoy some pictures from both conferences below!

Thanks for reading!

Maura