A Dream Deferred Realized: Law School

My efforts to attend law school have consistently come against formidable challenges, yet I am persistent and tenacious in my pursuit of what has been a life long career goal.  I was first deterred from my graduate studies due to my displacement from my undergraduate institution in my final year of matriculation due to Hurricane Katrina.  After gaining some professional experience, I made my first postgraduate attempt to enroll.  That was 4 years ago and although I have been admitted to 8 schools, I have not been able to acquire sufficient financial aid to support my graduate studies.  Despite being offered scholarships that were sometimes half the cost of tuition, I have been unable to secure a loan for the unmet portion of the associated cost.  I appeal to you to make an investment in my education and future success.  An investment that will surely not return to you void.  I am a huge supporter of youth empowerment organizations and have returned as a volunteer to many organizations that have assisted me along the way including Big Shoulders Scholarship Fund, Gilman International Scholars, Bronzeville Chamber of Commerce, and CASA of Cook County.  I am not asking for a hand out, but a hand up as I am committed to utilizing my legal education and career to improve access to legal resources and equity in justice.  I consider myself an advocate and will use my license to practice law in a way that ensures that justice is impartial to those who are often disenfranchised and taken advantage of through the justice system.  My upbringing and the community in which I was raised in led me to major in Urban Studies and Public Policy and my allegiance to the empowerment and uplifting of my Southside community and other ones like it elsewhere will ground me for a career that I am passionate about and the foundation to create sustainable positive change.