To Post-Grad and Beyond
As classes have moved online, and graduations have gone virtual or been postponed all across the country, many college seniors are more stressed-out than usual trying to figure out their path into the real world. It’s times like these that make me even more grateful for the guidance I received at Barnard, as it not only has helped me pursue my dream of going to law school, but provided me with a safety net for uncertain times like these.
As a Political Science major with a minor in Race and Ethnicity Studies, I knew early on that equity and justice within the law was something I cared deeply about. However, I had only ever seen lawyers as cold, competitive, wealthy white men, and could never envision myself in that role. It wasn’t until my sophomore year at Barnard where I began to learn that there was, in fact, a place for me in the legal field.In my case, the Athena Pre-Law Society was the organization that first broadened my horizons. After going to many of their panels featuring Barnard alumni working in all different types of law, I got to see first hand the women who have blazed a trail before me. There were graduates working for firms and large companies, but also lawyers working for the ACLU and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Each and every one had a different story, but they all shared the same sense of confidence, kindness, and passion for helping others. From that moment on, I knew I had found my path forward. Not long after, I was able to utilize the Athena Pre-Law Society’s discounts for LSAT classes and began the first phase of applying to law school!
The Athena Pre-Law Society wasn’t the only tool at my disposal. Once I figured out what I wanted to do, I began meeting with three (!!) different pre-law advisors over at Beyond Barnard, our center for all things “adult.” They all helped me do research on different law schools and figure out my game-plan for the application. They even met with me multiple times over the summer before senior year to help me write my personal statement and supplemental essays ahead of time! And when minor bumps in the road came in regards to professor recommendation letters, they helped me problem solve and glide through the rest of the application seamlessly.
Ultimately, what helped the most in applying to law school (an incredibly daunting venture for anybody) was the wisdom that Barnard professors gave me. They taught me that lawyers don’t need to be arrogant, or unapproachable, or greedy. They showed me that lawyers are meant to change the world for the better, and that I had the drive needed to do so. My ethnicity, my socioeconomic status, and my gender wouldn’t hinder that – my many mentors at Barnard showed me that the very things that make me who I am are what will drive my success, and I’ll always get to have my full Barnard family with me to celebrate at the end of the day.
-Izzie Rivera