Major: Psychology (B.S)
Graduation Date: May 2023
College Park Scholars: Public Leadership
Email: ashah112@terpmail.umd.edu
Statement of Purpose: December 17, 2020
As a first-generation American and woman of color, I come from a background that has exposed me to a unique array of experiences, perspectives, traditions, and cultures. From an early age, my parents taught me the value of education and hard work, which motivated me to pursue higher education. After growing up in Maryland practically all my life, I knew that UMD was the right school for me to start my academic career. My participation in Public Leadership Scholars has helped me develop skills in conflict resolution, teamwork, and leadership, all of which are important for any career. At UMD, I hope to continue receiving the proper education, resources, and experiences that will allow me to succeed in my future pursuits.
As a psychology major, I am deeply interested in the intricacies of human behavior. Broadly, this includes studying racial discrimination, intimate partner violence, and counseling practices. Also, I have been involved in pre-med coursework as I hope to attend medical school after college. In my future career, I plan to practice as a psychiatrist with a focus on special populations, including women and minorities, as the study of psychology has notoriously neglected these disadvantaged groups.
Outside of school, I have been involved in several projects and extracurriculars. For the past four years, I have dabbled as a receptionist at Glen Burnie Animal Hospital. In the Winter and Spring 2021 semesters, I will be joining the team at the Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab as a research assistant. My hobbies including reading contemporary fiction, eating good food, and spending lots of time with my cat, Shami.