Meena Jose ’16
Class Year
2016
Area(s) of Study
Psychology International relations
Co-curricular
International Student Organization Tri Delta Sorority Resident Assistant
Meena Jose ’16 decided to attend Lake Forest College—sight unseen. Born and raised in India, Jose had never even set foot in the U.S. when she began searching the College’s website and Googling maps of the area.
This psychology major and international relations minor is a Forester you should know.
Q: What drew you to Lake Forest College?
A: “I was very attracted by the neuroscience program and the psychology department. Since this was my first time away from my home country, I didn’t want a big university. And I wanted to be near a big city. Chicago is only an hour away, so this was perfect. I looked at pictures on the website and Google maps. And my high school guidance counselor told me there were a couple of people who went to my same high school—they were a year older than me—were studying here. I messaged them and asked a lot of questions. They answered all of them.”
Q: Have you had experiences here—besides your classes—that have helped prepare you for your future?
A: “Since I’m from another culture, cultural clubs on campus have always been close to my heart. One of the first club’s I joined was ISO, the International Student Organization. I was the secretary and then, president. Those leadership positions gave me a lot of experience. I also was an RA my sophomore year, which helped me grow in many ways and gain experience as a mentor. I’ve been a research assistant, working under Professor Wentworth of the psychology department. And I’ve had two internships: One at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, in research, and now as a school psychologist intern at Sheridan Elementary School in Lake Forest. I’m working with autistic children, some who are learning disabled, and others who have ADHD. I want to become a clinical child psychologist—working with students with special needs—so all these experiences will help me as I apply to grad school.”
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: “I like just hanging out with friends. I live in the Cleveland Young, the international student dorm, so there are always events happening. And I support other cultural events on campus. I’m very involved in Relay for Life and I’m a member of Tri Delta sorority, where there’s also fund raising. I also go to Chicago almost every weekend. I always have a monthly pass on me and in every bag I own, I have Metra tickets. I go back and forth a lot, sometimes more than once in the same day.”
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: “I’m studying for my GREs while I’m applying for jobs—research positions that will give me more experience toward a graduate program. I’m planning on becoming a PhD clinical psychologist.”
Q: Any advice?
A: “Even though four years seems long, time really flies. Classes are important, but it’s also about the memories you make. That wouldn’t have happened for me without my being involved. Get involved in clubs, sports, pursue your passions. Making memories requires interacting with other people and doing things with organizations. But don’t forget about your books!”
Q: Parting words?
A: “Make every moment count. It sounds cliché, but as of today, I have 38 days till graduation. I’m not ready to leave, because Lake Forest is so close to my heart.”