One of Molly Gilbert’s deciding factors in becoming a Gael: “Students seemed actually interested in the stuff they were learning.” / Photo by Francis Tatem
In Their Own Words: Aquinas Award-Winner Molly Gilbert ’23 is Edinburgh-Bound
Molly Gilbert knew exactly what she wanted when applying to Saint Mary’s: A small college where she could “try everything.” Now, after four years of rigor and community, she’s headed to pursue her MSc in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.
In Their Own Words is a series in which we introduce you to the Gaels you need to meet—students, alums, faculty, and staff—and let them tell their stories, in their own words.
Meet Molly Gilbert: a recent graduate of the Integral and Honors Programs, and an accomplished digital artist with millions of views on YouTube. She’s also the recipient of this year's Thomas Aquinas Award, presented annually to Integral majors with the "most outstanding scholastic record." In the fall, Gilbert will begin her MSc in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Growing up in the garlic capital of the world
I’ve lived in Gilroy, California my whole life. If you do detect a tiny accent, that’s because both of my parents are from the UK. To be honest, though—and this is probably sinful as a Gilroynian—I haven't actually had the courage to try Gilroy’s famous garlic ice cream yet. But I probably should eat it before I move to Scotland, just to say that I have.
The road to Saint Mary’s
When I was applying to schools, I was looking for a smaller college with a tight-knit community, where I’d actually be able to interact with professors and classmates. I know myself: I don’t learn well if I’m talked at, which would be the case in a lecture hall with 400 people. But I thrive in a seminar-style classroom.
So Saint Mary’s checked all those boxes and was within decent driving distance from home. They offered me considerable scholarships, which was kind of them. Also, when I went to visit campus on a day that wasn’t specifically for visitors, students seemed actually interested in the stuff they were learning. That was quite honestly a big factor for me.
The perfect major
I didn't know about the Integral Program until I had already committed to Saint Mary’s. When I learned about the major at an admitted students event, I immediately thought, “I am switching my major right now.”
If I had to summarize the program in one word, it would be "Classics." During our first year, we read the ancient Greeks—Plato, Aristotle, Herodotus—and move all the way up to the 21st century by our final year. Because we do that, we’re able to track how science, mathematics, literature, philosophy, and the arts have all grown together; you really do realize how interconnected all the subjects actually are.
We only read primary texts, which means we really get to see how people like Einstein and Newton built on the work of those who came before them—and where they stumbled, too. That’s been fascinating to see: that even geniuses had faulty premises. Only by rejecting those premises have we as a society been able to grow.
What the Honors Program offers
What I like about Saint Mary’s Honors Program is that it’s all about enriching your own experience. You earn Honors credit for going above and beyond in classes you’re already taking or attending outside lectures, seminars, and presentations. For two of my Honors projects, for example, I wanted to apply my digital art to some of the readings in class. So I completed two sets of illustrations, one for Dante’s Divine Comedy and the second for the Old English poem Beowulf.
In addition to the academic side of things, the Honors Program helped me forge connections with those outside of my major who are also academically minded and passionate about what they do. If it wasn't for the program, there are a lot of friends I probably wouldn't have met.
The next chapter
Over this past year, I've been applying to Master's in Philosophy programs in the UK, partly to see what life is like there and to take advantage of my dual citizenship. My parents might be moving back there for retirement, so I want to see if I like actually living there. I ultimately decided on the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I’ll be in the Philosophy program, which I’m thrilled about; it’s highly interdisciplinary. And I’m excited to move to Edinburgh, mostly because it is a city but it’s not as big and scary a city as somewhere like London or New York. It will be a good transition point for me, I think.
On the Integral major and the Honors Program: "They are two great opportunities to study a wide variety of subjects while making your time at Saint Mary's academically rigorous. Like anything in college, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it."
Advice for future Gaels
As a graduating senior coming out of COVID, this a pretty standard piece of advice, but I don't think it can be repeated enough: Try everything. If you think you might be interested in any kind of subject, academic or otherwise, just give it a go. With Saint Mary’s new curricular changes, it’s a lot easier to double major than it used to be.
And I know I’m biased, but I’d highly recommend the Integral major and the Honors Program. Those are two great opportunities to study a wide variety of subjects while making your time at Saint Mary's academically rigorous. Like anything in college, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
(This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.)
EXPLORE the Integral Program, Saint Mary’s signature Great Books program. Consider applying.
AND LEARN MORE about the College's Honors Program, which brings together students seeking to challenge themselves and transform lives.
Hayden Royster is the Staff Writer at the Office of Marketing and Communication for Saint Mary's College. Write him.