Alumni Spotlight: Kate Petrova

Kate Petrova ‘20 knew what she wanted to study before starting college, and once on campus, dove head-first into her interests. Heavily involved in the psychology department, Kate performed research during the school year and every subsequent summer and later served as a major representative. Her leadership also extended to residential life as a member of the Dorm Leadership Team (DLT), a Peer Mentor, and an Hall Advisor (HA), during summer and winter breaks. Her participation in The Renaissance Choir was also a memorable highlight from her time on campus. Currently a PhD candidate in psychology at Stanford University, she tells us more about her Bryn Mawr journey.  

Tell us your Bryn Mawr story, what was the path that led you to BMC? 

My path to Bryn Mawr was somewhat unusual. As an international student from a low-income background, applying to colleges was no easy feat. I took not one but two gap years after high school, and it took me three application cycles to finally receive my dream offer and commit to Bryn Mawr.  

Since high school, I knew that I wanted to study psychology and neuroscience, so I applied to a wide range of colleges that had excellent undergraduate programs in these fields- Bryn Mawr was one of them.  Shortly after submitting my first round of applications, one after another, the offers I was receiving were breaking my heart. I could never afford to go to college without a full scholarship. For two more years, I kept applying, hoping that some college somewhere would take a chance on me and invest in my future. During those years, I became friends on social media with several Mawrters from the class of 2018, and later 2019. And as I watched their lives at Bryn Mawr from afar, I came to realize that Bryn Mawr was really the perfect fit for me. So, I took the plunge and applied early decision for the class of 2020. And the rest is history! 

What was your major and how did you find it? 

I majored in psychology with a minor in neuroscience. To be honest, there wasn’t really much searching involved. I knew that’s what I wanted to do since before high school, and every class I took at Bryn Mawr only strengthened my confidence that this was the right path for me.  

How did you find community on campus?

Early on, I found community in my customs group. It was great to meet so many people from different majors and backgrounds who I would never have crossed paths with otherwise! Many of them are still some of my closest friends. Later on, the psychology department is where I found community (which should hopefully come as no surprise by now seeing as I've already mentioned it twice in my response). I lived in Rockefeller for 3 years, and almost every day I would cross the street to Bettws-Y-Coed and spend the majority of my day there. Specifically, in the major lounge. Some of my closest Bryn Mawr friends were also in that lounge every day. We did homework together, hosted informal board-game nights right there in the lounge, laughed together, and, occasionally, crossed the street over to New Dorm to grab some food. Those were some great times! 

Favorite memory?

The first cherry blossom season! I must have spent every moment outside: doing my homework outside, eating outside, hanging out with friends outside. All but sleeping outside among the cherry blossoms, really. This may be a Bryn Mawr cliché, but there is nothing like the cherry blossom season at Bryn Mawr, whether it’s your first one or your 30th.  

Looking back, what is something that you have found to be unique about your college experience? 

How good the dining hall food was? Seriously, I miss it. 

How did Bryn Mawr prepare you for life after college?

In more ways than I could ever list—both professionally and personally. Today, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in one of the top programs in the world. I would never be here if it weren't for my mentors at Bryn Mawr who took me under their wing and taught me everything I know today. I am also immensely grateful to Bryn Mawr for the many opportunities it presented to shape my educational journey in a truly unique way, from taking classes all across the Quaker Consortium to participating in Praxis Independent Study. Needless to say, the Bryn Mawr community also played a major role in shaping who I am as a person. Living and learning alongside so many incredible, talented, and unique individuals empowered me to express myself authentically, without fear or shame.