Emma Torrico
Intended Major: Psychology
Hometown: Guatemala City, Guatemala

What were you involved in during high school, and what did those experiences mean to you?
In high school, I was involved in several different areas, including community service, fundraising, school spirit, journalism and publication, student government, athletics, and music. I also represented my school in science and math competitions for multiple years. All of these activities meant so much to me. They formed the person I am today, and who I want to become. Years of volunteering for organizations had an important impact on me specifically. They have given me purpose through providing aid and service to those in need, which is something I’m excited to participate in during my upcoming years at Butler, and is what I want to specialize in during my professional career in psychology.

How did you know Butler was the right place for you?
Out of all the universities I explored, one thing stood out to me about Butler: the culture of service, inclusion, and ambition to make an impact on other people’s lives. After visiting campus and being admitted into the Morton-Finney and Compass Center programs, I realized Butler would provide me with great opportunities and experiences. There is a strong focus on engaging with the community, but the academic and social strengths of Butler gave me the gut feeling that I belong here.

What are you most excited to get involved with on campus?
As I mentioned before, I’m excited to get involved with volunteer opportunities and community service. I grew up in the community-service field since both my parents worked at non-profit organizations, so I hope to further cultivate and instill these values into a professional career in psychology.

What are you looking forward to most while being a student at Butler?
Aside from serving the community, another thing I’m looking forward to is the Delbrook Visiting Writers Series. As an aspiring author and an avid book reader, the idea of meeting and interacting directly with bestselling and influential authors is exhilarating. It is an opportunity I can learn from, and one I hope will open many doors and inspire me to keep chasing my dreams of becoming an author.

How do you think Butler will help you grow as a person or student?
I believe Butler will expose me to many different opportunities, people, and places that will help me grow as a person. Pursuing my undergraduate education at a school that emphasizes service to others, inclusion and diversity of different perspectives, and opportunities for experiences like study abroad and undergraduate research will help me grow professionally and also help me define who I am, who I want to be, and what my purpose is. I also think Butler’s integral perspective on education will support me and my career.

What are you planning to study, and what sparked your interest in that area?
I am planning to major in Psychology. What sparked my interest in psychology was my own mental health journey throughout high school. Having the support I needed during the hardest times of my life is something I will forever be grateful for, and is something I hope to provide to communities and people that might not have access to these resources.

On another note, I’ve always had a passion for creating, especially when it comes to storytelling. Ever since I was little, I’ve been writing stories, creating worlds and characters, and expressing my feelings through fictional works. During high school, I published a children’s book under a local publishing house in Guatemala, and ever since then, I’ve wanted to expand. My dream is to become an author and make an impact in the same way that books have impacted my life.

What advice would you give to other students starting their college search?
The best piece of advice I can give to somebody beginning their college search is to trust their gut instinct. Being faced with so many choices and decisions can be overwhelming, or at least it was for me. But after considering all my choices carefully, what helped me move forward was trusting my gut. That gut feeling is more than just a random pull—it’s a sign. It’s a sign that your heart has found where it fits, and for me, that was at Butler University.