. In third grade, we were all required to do a Science or History Fair project. I titled my project "Extraordinary African Americans". I included three African Americans who had great accomplishments, yet were not well known, but I also included a young Somali boy from my homeroom class. It was clear to me that his life was far different from my own, and I was interested in knowing why. He told me a story of constant war, gun fire, and being ushered on to a boat without his father. He also told me of the struggles he had understanding and learning in school, and how he did not know why. I took for granted his story and the impact it would have on me. The inequality I have witnessed and experienced has been and continues to be a driving force in my life.
Since that project, I have taken a strong inquiry into life differences and how they impact the way in which people lead their day-to-day lives. I continue to learn more about these differences in my own experiences with textbooks and classes, in the news, or a research project about poverty I am collaborating on with a PhD student in the Sociology department. The prevalence serves as a signal of the importance this concept has in my life.
The connection between me and a desire to understand life differences may be based on inequality I experienced growing up. When I was born my parents had to use government assistance to support mine and my brother's appetites, while working and going to school full-time. Continuing into elementary school prominent institutions told me that because of my gender, I was not allowed to play on the boys' soccer team, and had to play softball and not baseball.
I learned that what I had believed to be "not fair", was actually inequality, a concept that over time has had a huge impact on me. I had a lot to learn about inequality, and I still continue trying to understand the reach it has. Understanding inequality and also understanding what power I possess, or could possess, to make a change is real motivation for me to gain knowledge I could use to make a difference.
There is no way that I could tell you the exact field of law I want to practice, but I do know that with whatever path I wind up taking, I will be the best legal advocate or counselor for my employers and clients. I want my education and experiences to have a lasting impact, and strive to never stop learning. Albert Einstein once said, "When you stop learning, you start dying." I want these people to be impressed with my knowledge, and those in my future to have no doubt that I am a great fit for any needs they may have.
I know that law school comes with obstacles, and this is not going to be easy. There are other alternatives that are much easier. As a transfer student, I have worked extremely hard to graduate on time, and with two degrees none-the-less. I chose to transfer from a state school to a top university, not for the easy factor, but because Arizona State was not the place for me. I knew what I was getting myself into by transferring, just like I know what I am getting into with law school.
Anyone who knows me can attest that from a young age I have always been a leader, not a follower. I know this can seem cliché, but I have never been comfortable in the backseat. From a class project to volunteer work to a high school sports team, I always took it upon myself to be a leader. I cannot think of a single group project where I allowed someone else to complete dictate an outcome that impacted me. During high school, I was a captain of the girl's varsity tennis team for two years. I used my own experiences from being on the team for five years to better the experiences of my teammates.
After doing my research, I have come to understand the importance of finding a school that fits me. Any transfer student can attest to this importance. I have learned so much about myself and what schools work for me, and what schools do not. I look into what that experience taught me to see what I want in a law school, and what aspects will be my deciding factor. Three major reasons why I believe William Mitchell and I fit well together consist of the type of competition, the professor-student interaction and location.
The need to find a law school that does not pin classmate against classmate is extremely important to me. I believe I would not make it in a school where I was worried about constant competition with the person to my left. It is nice to know I have the option to lean over and ask that person a question or clarification.
I learned so much about the school, faculty and student body after visiting the school, especially after attending a class. I saw the importance of student interaction in the classroom with the professor calling on students by name. This connection between the students and the professor made me feel as though professors really want to see their students succeed.
A strong support system can also be a key element in the success of a law student. The people who are my biggest cheerleaders and supporters are located in Minnesota, and I know that when times get tough and I doubt myself and abilities, the people who matter most will remind me of my potential.
Since that project, I have taken a strong inquiry into life differences and how they impact the way in which people lead their day-to-day lives. I continue to learn more about these differences in my own experiences with textbooks and classes, in the news, or a research project about poverty I am collaborating on with a PhD student in the Sociology department. The prevalence serves as a signal of the importance this concept has in my life.
The connection between me and a desire to understand life differences may be based on inequality I experienced growing up. When I was born my parents had to use government assistance to support mine and my brother's appetites, while working and going to school full-time. Continuing into elementary school prominent institutions told me that because of my gender, I was not allowed to play on the boys' soccer team, and had to play softball and not baseball.
I learned that what I had believed to be "not fair", was actually inequality, a concept that over time has had a huge impact on me. I had a lot to learn about inequality, and I still continue trying to understand the reach it has. Understanding inequality and also understanding what power I possess, or could possess, to make a change is real motivation for me to gain knowledge I could use to make a difference.
There is no way that I could tell you the exact field of law I want to practice, but I do know that with whatever path I wind up taking, I will be the best legal advocate or counselor for my employers and clients. I want my education and experiences to have a lasting impact, and strive to never stop learning. Albert Einstein once said, "When you stop learning, you start dying." I want these people to be impressed with my knowledge, and those in my future to have no doubt that I am a great fit for any needs they may have.
I know that law school comes with obstacles, and this is not going to be easy. There are other alternatives that are much easier. As a transfer student, I have worked extremely hard to graduate on time, and with two degrees none-the-less. I chose to transfer from a state school to a top university, not for the easy factor, but because Arizona State was not the place for me. I knew what I was getting myself into by transferring, just like I know what I am getting into with law school.
Anyone who knows me can attest that from a young age I have always been a leader, not a follower. I know this can seem cliché, but I have never been comfortable in the backseat. From a class project to volunteer work to a high school sports team, I always took it upon myself to be a leader. I cannot think of a single group project where I allowed someone else to complete dictate an outcome that impacted me. During high school, I was a captain of the girl's varsity tennis team for two years. I used my own experiences from being on the team for five years to better the experiences of my teammates.
After doing my research, I have come to understand the importance of finding a school that fits me. Any transfer student can attest to this importance. I have learned so much about myself and what schools work for me, and what schools do not. I look into what that experience taught me to see what I want in a law school, and what aspects will be my deciding factor. Three major reasons why I believe William Mitchell and I fit well together consist of the type of competition, the professor-student interaction and location.
The need to find a law school that does not pin classmate against classmate is extremely important to me. I believe I would not make it in a school where I was worried about constant competition with the person to my left. It is nice to know I have the option to lean over and ask that person a question or clarification.
I learned so much about the school, faculty and student body after visiting the school, especially after attending a class. I saw the importance of student interaction in the classroom with the professor calling on students by name. This connection between the students and the professor made me feel as though professors really want to see their students succeed.
A strong support system can also be a key element in the success of a law student. The people who are my biggest cheerleaders and supporters are located in Minnesota, and I know that when times get tough and I doubt myself and abilities, the people who matter most will remind me of my potential.
