Plot Twist: I was Chosen

Hi, my name is Maria, and I’m from Galați, Romania. I completed my Bachelor's in Psychology at UCL (University College London) in 2023, and now I’m focusing on my Master’s. I want this article to focus on my Bachelor's experience from a retrospective point of view.

My High School Activities

For my application, I think the extracurriculars I focused most on were, first of all, Olympiads. Even if I didn't go to any national-level Olympians, I still made the most out of the results and focused on what I learned from the experience. On the other hand, I also went to a lot of MUNs (Model United Nations) in Galați, my native city. While I wished to explore conferences in other cities as well, financial limitations didn't allow me to. In the MUNs, they have multiple departments you can be part of, but I only applied to the health one because I'm interested in psychology. My major goals were to be able to better speak in English and develop strong arguments, basically, public speaking.

Actually, I decided at a very late stage that I wanted to study in the UK, so I slightly struggled with my extracurriculars. I made the most of what I had done until then and tried to focus on how they helped me in my personal development.

For example, if I presented one of my school projects at a very local conference, I would list it as showcasing my ability to speak publicly and the dissemination of results. Wording is everything, and even the most basic extracurriculars, such as presenting how many of the books I’ve read on psychological subjects inspired me to appreciate the human mind, can make the CV shine if presented accordingly. During high school, I tried to do a little bit of everything to find out who I was.

Changing Paths

Studying neuroscience in the UK was my plan B, and I applied to a lot of universities in London. That path was tough because I was at a crossroads when I finished high school. I got accepted into both (psychology at UCL and medicine in Romania), and that was even more confusing—I didn't know what I was going to choose. My parents helped me a lot because they were really keen on me studying medicine. But at the same time, they saw how happy I was when I was accepted into UCL and how uninterested I was when I was accepted into medicine in Romania.

I was actually the last generation to study in the UK before Brexit. I thought: "It’s now or never for me." My parents helped me a lot with the fees, and in terms of how expensive it is, it’s a lot more expensive now compared to when I got accepted.

The Admission Process

The admission process was like a race for me because I officially decided to apply three weeks before the deadline, which was January 14th! I was on a tight schedule to gather all my documents, talk to my teachers, and write my application.

I asked for advice from students I found online - I started with my cousin or people I knew who went to the UK, asked them to look over my personal statement, and I also reached out to people in my high school who also went to the UK. It was hectic because everything had to be perfect, as I had only one chance.

I applied exactly on January 14th, and then I didn’t hear back for months, which was horrible! I was checking my email every day. I remember that my classmates, who were also applying to the UK, were getting offers from multiple universities while I wasn’t hearing anything, not even a rejection.

In the end, I got my responses in May. Granted, I did apply within the last hour allowed—literally to the minute. So, it was hectic stress for the application period and then waiting stress for a couple of months afterwards, but everything was worth it.

My program didn’t require any tests or even an interview when I applied, but I think right now the considered candidates are offered an interview.

How I Wrote My Personal Statement

It wasn’t like the U.S.-style personal statement, which is more creative and focused on a personal story. I wrote something more similar to a cover letter, talking about my experiences. Right now, the word count is required to be between 1000-1500 words.

I included all my activities and how they helped me develop, reflecting a lot about those moments. It’s very important not to simply name the activities, but to reflect on how they helped you.

There were two questions that I found more difficult. One was "Why Psychology?" and the second one was "Why UCL?"

For “Why Psychology?”, I remember including a story about how I first realised I truly liked the subject, which was actually during my medical studies in high school. I was studying the nervous system and realised that it was my favourite part of everything I was learning. I also linked it to some books I had read and some personal experiences with mental health.

For “Why UCL?”, I focused on its academic reputation, the professors, and the research they were conducting that I was interested in. I also mentioned that I wanted to study in London because I liked the multicultural environment, the academic opportunities, and the fact that I could engage with people from different backgrounds.

A Day in the Life of a Psychology Student

I initially thought psychology would be a laid-back subject—more anthropological, more societal. But it turned out to be heavily science-driven. I was hit with statistics and research methods for most of the three years I studied it.

The workload was somehow different from what I expected - I expected it to be difficult, but I didn’t expect the level of independence we had while studying. In high school, we were used to teachers giving us specific assignments and checking in on us, but at university, nobody does that. You have to manage your own time, plan your studies, and make sure you’re on top of deadlines. The lectures were also different from what I was used to. I had to learn how to take good notes and study efficiently because there was so much material.

I think the hardest part was understanding statistics. Psychology involves a lot more mathematics than people might expect, especially in research methods and data analysis. I had to take a statistics course every year, and at first, it was overwhelming, but after a while, I got used to it, as I realised how important it was for conducting research.

Another challenging part was the sheer amount of reading we had to do. There were so many academic papers and books to go through, and sometimes the language was very complex and academic. I had to develop strategies to read efficiently and extract the most important information.

Budgeting

Since I wasn’t granted a scholarship, budgeting became essential. To support myself, I took on several part-time jobs—at one point, I was working with six different companies. Some of these were casual, others more complicated, but they all counted. Thankfully, I didn’t need a work visa, as I’d applied before Brexit and was considered a pre-settled citizen.

I worked as a barista for a few months. I also taught debating and biology to children during summer school. One of the most meaningful roles was as part of a co-production group run by a charity. They sought young people to participate in focus groups to advise on upcoming youth initiatives. That role lasted about a year, was paid and gave me a strong sense of purpose—and a practical way to make a difference.

The Light and The Dark

Especially during the later years of my bachelor's, I really started to miss home. I realized I was missing birthdays, family gatherings, trips with friends, moments with the people closest to me in Romania. And while I did make friends in the UK, I struggled to build deep connections. I genuinely tried; I wanted to have international friends, but I felt like something stood in the way. There was a barrier I just couldn’t break through.

Another major challenge was the financial side, especially living in London. Everyone knows it’s expensive, and for someone wanting to work in healthcare, it’s even tougher. But this challenge had a silver lining. It pushed me to get work experience early. While many of my peers only started internships in their third year, I had part-time jobs from year one. By the time I graduated, I already had three years of experience.

Still, getting your Bachelor's diploma in psychology is barely the first step, the start of a marathon. The degree gives you the bare bones of theory, but not much that you can immediately apply. Psychology is incredibly versatile—you can go into clinical work, research, HR, marketing, with clinical psychology being the longest path. You’ll likely need a Master’s, then work as an assistant psychologist for a few years. You need research experience, published papers, and only then can you apply for the doctorate needed to become a fully qualified clinical psychologist.

What is an Important Quality for a Psychologist?

I think it’s empathy, honestly. Empathy fatigue is real—you empathize with everyone and forget to make space for your own feelings. But empathy, when intentional, is essential in psychology. You’re constantly engaging with vulnerable people, and you need to care deeply while also protecting your own boundaries.

Another critical skill is developing a reflective attitude. In psychology, you have to reflect on everything: your conversations, your research, even your presence. You have to ask yourself: Why am I doing this? What impact will it have? What can I learn? It’s not just about action—it’s about understanding. And reflection isn’t only for mistakes; I try to reflect when things go well, too. That’s just as important for growth.

A key moment I’ll always remember was during my clinical work between 2023–2024. I was working with someone diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder—a condition where emotional states shift quickly. One moment, they were warm and open; the next, furious. During a one-to-one session, something I said triggered that switch, and suddenly the energy changed. My anxiety spiked. I didn’t know whether to de-escalate, so I froze.

That experience taught me the importance of setting clear professional boundaries early, especially with individuals who may never have learned how to respect them. Establishing those boundaries upfront is what sustains the therapeutic relationship.

Piece of Advice! Listen to Me

Talk to as many people as you can who’ve already done it—friends, people from your high school, relatives, or even strangers on Instagram or LinkedIn. You’d be surprised how willing our generation is to open up about their journey. Most of us wanted someone to tell us these things, so we’re happy to pass them on.

That’s why my biggest piece of advice is: think beyond those three years of university. And not just for psychology—whatever you choose, ask yourself what comes next. I know it sounds scary to plan your post-college life at 18, but if you're putting so much time, money, and energy into something, it’s worth knowing how it could pay off.

You don’t have to have it all figured out—but think about how your choice can work for you. Look at everything, consider every angle, and then trust your gut. That’s what I did—and I’m happy I listened.