Personal Statement: Pursuing A Degree In Law School

Nine years ago, I never could have imagined I’d be writing this essay. I was a senior in high school, and, like the rest of my classmates, I was apprehensive about the future. Unlike my classmates, I felt like I had missed the proverbial “you need to get your life together” message. I watched my classmates apply to colleges, their majors already decided and their future careers mapped out. While I was an above average student, I felt I lacked the decisiveness my classmates seemed to have. I did not feel passionate about a career or even a field of study. I felt defective. This was compounded by the financial strain I knew attending college would have on my family. It seemed wasteful to try to “find my passion” at school while squandering

As a child, I always thought that it was my assignment in life to become an attorney. At least that's what my parents said. But not me! I was always into the arts, singing; although I can't, dancing, producing mini shows, or whatever I could do to express myself creatively. Unfortunately my parents were not convinced that the arts would get me far in life, so they pushed me down the college track. Even the high school guidance counselors saw the leadership in me. Surely, she's going to college and becoming a lawyer. So I tried it. Although surrounded by the uncertainty, but these people have my best interest at heart so why not? Except when I got there, I was not passionate about it at all! There started this search of who am I and what is it

Throughout the process of completing my academic studies, The BSN program has given me a solid foundation toward pursuing graduate studies. My focus is on the elder adults and broadening my professional knowledge and experience in the professional study of nursing. Some specific areas and courses are, palliative, adult critical care, Critical Care Nursing of older adults, and Introduction to Gerontology I have completed. This passions I have for pursing future graduate studies has grown and evolved in to my fundamental goal in life. I will use this determination to propel my career to a higher academic standard in the profession of nursing.

I am applying to the University of Oregon School of Law to compliment my experiences as an undergraduate and to take the next step on my path towards my professional goals. In order to become a successful legal professional in the field of international human rights, one needs to understand the intricate complexities of global communities. The University of Oregon School of Law will broaden my vantage point to encompass other legal realities of migration and human rights. The academics, programs, and faculty in the University of Oregon School of Law will facilitate my career development, and also expand upon what I have learned thus far as an undergraduate. If admitted, I would tailor my studies to meet my interests in migrant populations and subsequently, use my law degree to aid vulnerable populations.

An academic subject that inspires me is pre-law, understanding the factors of life and the choices you make based off self interest is inspiring to understand how people's minds work depending on real life situations. I've always had an interest in understanding how the government is run. It's important to learn as an American citizen your rights to your laws. I will further my interest in college by studying more to have pre-law as my Major. Other opportunities that will benefit me in being universal in the area of law would include philosophy,social science, and Business throughout taking college courses. These majors all connect in the aspect in bettering a community or individual through some type of financial assistance. I intend using Pre-law outside of the classroom after I graduate throughout college

For a brief moment I felt at peace, because I believed I could help my family out of poverty while doing something that I choose for myself. But I realized deep down that the legal studies field was not what I wanted for a life long career and I noticed there were several overlaps between the criminal justice system and the healthcare system which piqued my interests. A career in the legal studies field seemed like an easy way out. I could easily help my family and community, and be comfortable in that type of career, but the problem was that I didn’t want comfort. I wanted excitement, and a true passion. What I truly sought after was a career that would constantly test and push me to my fullest potential. I wanted a career that would allow me to give back to the same community of underserved areas, and more importantly I wanted to help people on a more immediate and individual basis. As a doctor, researcher, and scientist we all have to work as a collective body to improve the life and wellbeing of society, but as a doctor I could go a step farther and make impacts on an individual level with my patients. Ironically, what I ended up wanting was the one thing I had previously tried to fight; a career in

Starting off with my academic choices I decided to fool around in high school. But when I graduated on time I got scared that I would mess up again and not do anything in life so I chose the first career that I thought I would be good at. This career was Cosmetology. I soon realized that I did not agree with their teaching methods and I couldn’t see myself in that career in the future. In deciding this I was now without schooling and stuck in the blank space of not learning anything, the blank space I was so scared of and tried so hard to avoid. As a child I had the dream of becoming a lawyer, I would defend people and fight for justice. Yet as I got older I realized that if I were to become a lawyer I would get very attached to the issues

Being an older, non-traditional college student with 36 years of life experience behind me I thought I had my life figured out. Academically, I would take the degrees that I already have, coupled with the joint Bachelor’s degree I am about to receive from St. Mary’s University, go to law school earn my J.D. Become a practicing attorney and watch the life I have always wanted start to unfold. When given this assignment however, I began to seriously question myself about my passions in life and an immense dissonance overwhelmed me. Nearing 40 years old, I have felt for some time, that I should have in order what I want to do with my degrees and my life for that matter. If I was honest with myself, I do not and therefore, began to do a lot

Throughout my life, I always wondered what my profession would be when I grew up. My first choice was to be a nurse because I love to help people and make sure that they are well taken care of. When I reached high school, my thoughts about nursing tapered off because other careers interested me even more, such as becoming a lawyer. As I began researching more and more about lawyers, I talked to my work based learning teacher at school, and she recommended a part time job at a law firm. I began calling around, and entering my senior year of high school, I received my first job at a law firm. The first days of working at the law firm, I was extremely excited because I thought that I would be one step closer to reaching my goals as an attorney. I had the privilege of seeing what the attorneys did throughout the day, however as my experience in the firm progressed, my interest in becoming an attorney dwindled. I then realized I was back to square one and was extremely discouraged, because I did not know what I wanted to do with my life.

Overlooking the clouds from the airplane window, the sense of excitement overwhelmed me. My family and I were going to a refugee camp in Lebanon to meet my extended family. During that 3-month trip, war broke out, and consequently, I experienced a personal paradigm shift which broadened my world perspective for the rest of my life. If it were not for that experience, I probably would not have had the profound sense of appreciation of the relative safety, justice, and opportunity offered in Canada. I had returned determined to learn, and hopefully, with the help of a legal education, contribute to the progression of the values which have allowed me to reach this point. These values have led me to honor the role of the law in creating justice and order by facilitating stability and change.

The philosophy that my parents have always held and passed onto me was to just fit in. Sit still, don’t let your opinions be known, just fit in. Their mindset was unstandable because they migrated from a place where challenging the status quo was dangerous. This always frustrated me because I love to talk, debate, protest, and advocate. My passion for this pushed me towards wanting to major in philosophy and go onto law school. I dream of being someone who fights for those who aren’t in a position to speak up, and to actually make a difference instead of just wishing that I could.

It is with great pleasure I submit my application for Law School. Currently, I am finishing my Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Mary in psychology and philosophy. I hope to continue my education to become a lawyer at the University of Mary. I believe I am an excellent candidate for your program based on my dedication to succeed and learn.

The main reason why I wanted to study Law was the importance it takes in the world. Law builds civilization, protect fundamental rights and protect ideas and inventions through patenting. Anyone can defend his or her right through the legal system. Law can bind an agreement to allow an aircraft to fly from country A to country B. Law is continuously relevant in many context including banking, construction, sports, land, media, commerical, human rights etc. And this excites me more, as it is very broad and in my perspective not going to be repetitive or dull.

Growing up, I hated school. The sinking feeling I got hearing people talk about academics was distressing. Every time I heard the words “mathematics” or “language arts” used in speech I would cringe reminding myself of what I struggle with. Looking back at this struggle, I realize that it helped define the essential components of my personality. Without this hardship, I would not have the resiliency, enthusiasm, or diligence that I have today to face my educational and real - life endeavors.