I got into Columbia’s psychology master’s program — and I declined their offer. For a long time, I thought an Ivy League acceptance would give me the validation, access, and security I had been chasing. But after admitted students day, hard conversations about funding, and a lot of reflection, I realized I had to choose the path that actually aligned with the psychologist I want to become.

I did not choose psychology because I had everything figured out. I chose it because I kept asking why: why people become who they are, how early experiences shape us, and what helps people heal. In this post, I share the story behind The Budding Psychologist, my journey as a first-generation student and researcher, and why I created this space for students navigating psychology, graduate school, and higher education.