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Clare Talbott
When I was searching for colleges I knew I wanted to go into environmental science. WVU was one of the schools that I knew would give me a lot of opportunities and options within that field. My parents and I also had a saying while I was applying to schools to "love the school that loved me". Throughout my application process at WVU it felt like the faculty were truly trying to get to know me beyond test scores and essays.
What is your favorite Mountaineer memory?
My favorite Mountaineer memory is hiking in the Core Arboretum during the first warm days of spring. The forest floor is covered with more spring wildflowers than I have seen anywhere else. Whether I'm hiking with friends or by myself, it is the best way for me to relax during the busiest times of the semester.
Why did you want to become a PSA?
When I was deciding to commit to WVU I was anxious about the size of the school and navigating life in a town 4 times the size of where I grew up. Since starting my journey here I have found my community in the Davis college, and learned how a big school can provide me with almost any resource I could ever search for. I want to be a trusted voice within the university who can help put new and prospective students at ease and help them with their transition from high school to life as a Mountaineer.
What did you learn from the PSA experience?
The PSA program has been the best part of my semester. Connecting with the other PSAs through class discussions and out of class activities has given me a group of students who I know will support me throughout the rest of my WVU career, as I will support all of them. We share information about campus events with each other in our cohort 14 group chat, and we’ve self-organized a few projects as well. The class discussions and informal presentations have helped me develop more confidence in my speaking, even when I feel less prepared than I do for formal speeches.