Mock Trial Personal Statement

From the outside, it is hard to see why I would want to earn a liberal arts degree. Time and time again, the lifetime earnings of workers who studied in the liberal arts are outpaced by their peers who worked in engineering. These “hard sciences” of math and engineering are lauded as the “right choice” for future success by ambitious parents and counselors, while liberal arts degrees are the butt of jokes. However, for me, a liberal arts degree means a lot more than just making money. It means a global vision and universality across disciplines, as well as many future opportunities to change the world radically.

This autumn, I represented the School at the Empire Mock Trials in New York, competing against teams from all over the world. This experience helped me to hone my public speaking skills and taught me how to see issues from different perspectives. Furthermore, it deepened my understanding of the workings of the American legal

In his essay, The New Liberal Arts, Sanford Ungar addresses common misperceptions related to a liberal arts education. He speaks to their usefulness, the employment opportunities after graduation, their value despite the cost of tuition, and other misconceptions. His overall message is, despite the recent emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math degrees, as well as technical or vocational training, liberal arts degrees are still important and are a valid option to consider when deciding on your educational future. While his essay could easily apply to anyone with these misperceptions, it appears to be targeted directly towards students in high school or early college who are trying to decided on the direction of their education

Before reading the Andrew Delbanco book, College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be, my view of Liberal Arts education was positive. A Liberal Arts education consists of a curriculum based in the sciences and humanities while maintaining the freedom to pursue interdisciplinary study. Studying at a university with such a curriculum and freedom can be compared to an all-you-can-eat buffet; the student attending would not need to commit to a single area of study, trapped in confined course-load in one building on campus. Rather, that person could dish a little bit of business, with a side of art history, and a healthy helping of biology onto their academic tray and consume to their heart’s content, scraping the sides of the university in order to

I found myself, on the fourth day of the camp, standing in front of a mock jury of twelve other students presenting evidence and arguing the facts about a mock case. Something inside me clicked. I loved it, the gathering of evidence, the interpretation of rules and attempting to sway people's opinions, all of it was exactly what I wanted to do. Not just the speaking to a jury, but the entire creation of an argument. It was some of the most fun I had ever had. And walking back to my room, judgement in hand I was determined to do it for

There are many benefits to getting a Liberal Arts degree in today’s economic market. It is a message to your employer that you are willing to take on new information, and learn more then what is necessary to succeed. It shows initiative and the ability to expand your horizons beyond yourself. In a Liberal Arts education there is more purpose then just learning the career field of choice. It is a program that teaches critical thinking and self-thought. It teaches the student how to learn and teach themselves, to achieve more than just memorization of facts.

Although, it is common for an undergraduate student to change their career path, adults often alter their job direction as well. The reasons for an individual to begin a new job are endless. In an article by Betty Southwick it is estimated that in the year 2009 twenty percent of workers will start a new job. Especially in our current economic downfall with an estimated 2.4 million Americans unemployed, according to the Associate Press, it is extremely important for one to be proficient in multiple skills and have a broad knowledge base. The background information learned in a liberal arts education gives one the knowledge to succeed if they are forced to find work outside the field in which they have a degree. A liberal arts education creates a well-rounded individual. If liberal arts education were replaced with specialized education, in universities, students would be at a disadvantage. Focusing solely on one area handicaps an individual and limits their knowledge base. Therefore, making opportunities harder to come by during rough economic times like our society is currently experiencing.

Throughout childhood, most have been told that they need to go to college in order to receive a well-paying job. Therefore, students immediately decide to major in something that will help them either get a job that pays very well and many of their courses are targeted at their major of choice. However, another route that many students don’t consider is a liberal arts education. Many believe that liberal arts is a waste of time and doesn’t truly prepare them for a future career.

After being a part of the mock trial, I think that the verdict was not the right one because even though Leah and Jared harmed Ms. Cullen’s reputation, they were not charged for it. Telling from Scratchy, Mona, and Jock the teacher’s evidence, I can support that Leah and Jared harmed Ms. Cullen’s reputation. They all think that her reputation was broken due to the blog that Leah and Jared created on Facebook and what the kids from the school said about her.

“A successful liberal arts education develops the capacity for innovation and for judgement” (Source B). Liberal arts colleges offer a wide range of educational pursuits that accommodate to many people’s wants and needs. It also opens your eyes to different perspectives and asks you to step outside of your comfort zone. The expectation is to use the lessons learned and apply them to your everyday life in the future. “Many liberal arts students become innovators and productive risk takers” (Source B). It is well aware that a traditional college is not for everyone but that should not restrict you from going to college, there are various options that can satisfy

In tenth grade, I moved four hours away from my friends and family to attend a public, residential high school for the arts: the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH). The school, open to South Carolina students upon audition, offers intense arts study with strong academic classes. Each teacher is passionate about the subjects and students they teach, and every student is devoted to their studies because they truly want to be at school. Despite the intense demands from my academic and arts teachers, I was excited by the level of commitment from both students and faculty and the liberal arts approach to education. When searching for colleges, I chose schools that would continue this liberal arts focus while still

When I first heard of liberal arts schools, I thought of institutions like Julliard where students who want to study the arts attend. I pictured students painting on canvas, dancers leaping across stage, and musicians composing beautiful music. Since beginning my college visitations, I have come to realize that is far from what you will see at liberal arts colleges such as Loras. A liberal arts education not only touches on the arts but also the areas of history, science, math, language, and several more. Throughout my first thirteen years of schooling, I have taken classes covering many different subjects. Liberal arts schools continue to encourage one to learn about topics in various areas of study in order to obtain a more rounded education.

In the mock trial for my cohort I would’ve enjoyed the role of the witness for the plaintiff, T. J. Walker, but instead decided I would suit best in the jury. I decided this after weighing multiple factors. Foremost, I will not be available the day of the mock trial because I will be attending a graduation. Also, after researching I recognized that the jury includes multiple people and requires attentive listening. (American Bar Association) I have noticed from experience that I feel more comfortable and concentrated if I am listening instead of speaking. A witness would have to undergo questioning and be a rapid responder which is not a trait that I have. (Educaloi) Although I would have to present my opinion on the civil case, I would be

Liberal Arts are academic subjects such as literature, philosophy, mathematics, and social and physical sciences as distinct from professional and technical subjects. This approach to education provides students with specialized ability in a chosen major as well as builds a foundation of skills and knowledge that can be applied among many career paths and academic pursuits. Employers value the ability to solve problems, adapt to change, work across disciplines, and collaborate with others, which are distinctive tenants acquired when you pursue a major in liberal arts. Clearly, all successful careers require critical thinking, teamwork, sensitivity to cultural, demographic, economic and societal differences and political perspectives. A

Liberal Arts also nurture other hidden talents that the student might not have realize before attending that said liberal art college.