Help Ellen Go To Columbia University!
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All About Me:
My name is Ellen Somers and I am a final year Psychology Student in University College Dublin. I have recently been accepted to study the Psychology In Education Programme (MSc) at Teacher's College, Columbia University. This programme is focused on clinical psychology and is an unparalleled opportunity for me to study in a diverse, multi-cultural environment, with some of the most incredible voluntary and research opportunities available. Additionally, Teacher's College is a unique environment, in which I would be able to work closely with some of the most insightful academics in psychology today. In short, this is a dream come true for me.
It is my hope to later pursue PhD study and one day work on creating psychological interventions for those who do not have the time and financial liberties many of us are privileged to have. I am very interested in community interventions, and changing attitudes towards psychological help in conservative and rural communities.
Throughout my undergraduate degree I have worked consistently hard, and aimed to give back to the academic community at UCD. I took on positions as both a research assistant and as Auditor of UCD PsychSoc where I attempted to increase connectivity amongst students during the lockdown. I founded an online creative collaborative space, Field, aimed at increasing connection and expression in young people during lockdown. Additionally, I took on a volunteering position at a listening service which offers support and a listening ear to those in need. I complimented these activities with a longstanding position as a full time minder to a wonderful young boy, and multiple late night babysitting shifts so I could pay my rent and bills.
The Nitty Gritty:
Unfortunately, at present, my ability to fund my education at TC is a financial impossibility.
Money has been a consistent barrier to my education, as I depended on SUSI grant money and part time work to get through my undergraduate degree. Being estranged from my father and his later death meant that I have been solely supported by my mother’s income as a chef. This work is seasonal and our income as a family has been consistently unreliable, with my mother depending on welfare payments and child support to raise us. I often was limited in what I could pursue until the past year, receiving the PUP which allowed me to pay rent without part time work.
To pursue my graduate degree I need to meet the US Visa requirements in order to be granted entry to the US. I have already received a partial scholarship from Teacher's College, and I have pooled many of my own savings, and sold some of my personal belongings. As such, I have at present about 15,000 towards my education, though I still need 65,000 to cover the cost of living and tuition as required by US immigration. I need these funds as soon as possible, and am currently in the process of applying for multiple smaller scholarships to help me towards my goal, though time is of the essence.
Anything you can contribute would be greatly appreciated and I promise you it will be a worthwhile investment.
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Ellen
My name is Ellen Somers and I am a final year Psychology Student in University College Dublin. I have recently been accepted to study the Psychology In Education Programme (MSc) at Teacher's College, Columbia University. This programme is focused on clinical psychology and is an unparalleled opportunity for me to study in a diverse, multi-cultural environment, with some of the most incredible voluntary and research opportunities available. Additionally, Teacher's College is a unique environment, in which I would be able to work closely with some of the most insightful academics in psychology today. In short, this is a dream come true for me.
It is my hope to later pursue PhD study and one day work on creating psychological interventions for those who do not have the time and financial liberties many of us are privileged to have. I am very interested in community interventions, and changing attitudes towards psychological help in conservative and rural communities.
Throughout my undergraduate degree I have worked consistently hard, and aimed to give back to the academic community at UCD. I took on positions as both a research assistant and as Auditor of UCD PsychSoc where I attempted to increase connectivity amongst students during the lockdown. I founded an online creative collaborative space, Field, aimed at increasing connection and expression in young people during lockdown. Additionally, I took on a volunteering position at a listening service which offers support and a listening ear to those in need. I complimented these activities with a longstanding position as a full time minder to a wonderful young boy, and multiple late night babysitting shifts so I could pay my rent and bills.
The Nitty Gritty:
Unfortunately, at present, my ability to fund my education at TC is a financial impossibility.
Money has been a consistent barrier to my education, as I depended on SUSI grant money and part time work to get through my undergraduate degree. Being estranged from my father and his later death meant that I have been solely supported by my mother’s income as a chef. This work is seasonal and our income as a family has been consistently unreliable, with my mother depending on welfare payments and child support to raise us. I often was limited in what I could pursue until the past year, receiving the PUP which allowed me to pay rent without part time work.
To pursue my graduate degree I need to meet the US Visa requirements in order to be granted entry to the US. I have already received a partial scholarship from Teacher's College, and I have pooled many of my own savings, and sold some of my personal belongings. As such, I have at present about 15,000 towards my education, though I still need 65,000 to cover the cost of living and tuition as required by US immigration. I need these funds as soon as possible, and am currently in the process of applying for multiple smaller scholarships to help me towards my goal, though time is of the essence.
Anything you can contribute would be greatly appreciated and I promise you it will be a worthwhile investment.
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Ellen
Organizer
Ellen Somers
Organizer
County Dublin
