My “sign” to attend IPS came in the form of a gnawing and growing desire that I could not ignore.
Master’s Student Marie Paschal is entering her second year at IPS and works part-time with autistic children. Every student has a story to tell about what led him or her to IPS. Please tell us yours.
I remember receiving a brochure from IPS in the mail and being impressed with the Institute but not giving it serious consideration. IPS is located on the other side of the country and I was still an undergraduate student at Arizona State University. On top of that, I was not studying psychology and was not planning to change my major before I graduated.
Then, during the summer before my senior year, I was visiting a friend in the Washington, DC area and decided on a whim to tour the school. I loved it!
I loved the drive and passion of the students I met, the intimate size of the school, and the challenging curriculum. I especially loved the idea of integrating psychology with the Catholic faith! However, my life was headed in a completely different direction both personally and professionally, and attending IPS did not seem feasible. I took IPS off my radar -- again!
Fast forward one year later and I found myself frantically calling the Admissions Office to see if there was still time to submit my application. Several things in my life had unexpectantly changed and for the first time I began thinking seriously about attending IPS.
I found myself making pro-con lists during work meetings, interrogating a psychologist in front of me at the grocery store when I overheard her talking about her profession, and spending an excessive amount of late-night hours browsing IPS’ website. I thought, “Ok, just apply!”
So I did. I applied, was accepted, quit my job and moved to Virginia within a matter of months.
Although things moved quickly once I decided to pursue a master’s degree at IPS, the road that led me here was long and the view often obscured. Many of my classmates share moving stories of how God spoke to their hearts about attending IPS; my ‘sign’ came in the form of a gnawing and growing desire that I could not ignore. God may have been trying to speak to me years ago but I tend to be better at talking than listening in prayer!
Now that you have completed your first year in the Master’s program, what are some of the insights you would like to share?
Well, my initial interest and curiosity in studying an integrated psychology has now become my vocation. I know that I am supposed to be here, that this is what I am called to study. I am so blessed to be surrounded by classmates, professors and faculty members who share my sentiment. Everyone at the school has a drive and determination that is unified and contagious.
I do not know exactly what the future holds for me in terms of the field of psychology I will pursue; however, I know attending IPS was definitely the right step for me. I also know that I have a great deal of support and wisdom to rely on from the community here at IPS.
Thank you Marie, and God bless!