Business School Personal Statement

After working for 13 years as an elementary school teacher, I have decided to step out of my comfort zone and follow my dreams of pursuing a career as an attorney. Becoming an attorney has been a lifelong dream of mine; however, life happened and (temporarily) sent me down another path. In my second year of undergrad as an elementary education major I knew that, while I loved education, I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to have an impact on a higher level and marry my passion for reading and writing and jurisprudence, which I first came in contact with through an Education Law elective I took as part of my coursework. One of my undergraduate advisors was pursuing a law degree and encouraged me in my interests. He assured me that I had what it takes in terms of the potential to succeed academically as well as professionally as an attorney.

Not too long after I decided that I wanted to attend law school after graduation, I found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. I was afraid that this would permanently prevent me from pursuing my dreams. I gave birth a month after graduation and focused on my work as a teacher (I’d worked as a paraprofessional throughout undergrad and became a fully certified professional after I graduated). My husband always supported me in my dreams, but as any mom will tell you, your focus changes once you have children, and I decided to be the best that I could be in my current profession. Nevertheless, the desire to continue my education never subsided, so I am applying for admission into the Lawman University class of 2018 with the hopes of finally focusing 100 percent on making my dreams come true and being someone my two children can look to as a model for going after what you want despite what life throws your way.

Lawman University has a strong track record of supporting nontraditional students and provides online classes, night classes, and customizable schedules for working professionals who are making a career switch, working full time, taking care of personal obligations or all of the above. This is rare and refreshing in a world where nontraditional students are often seen as “less than” their traditional, younger peers. This is ironic to me given the fact that the richness of life experience that nontraditional students bring to the table often makes for a richer learning experience for all. In addition to teaching elementary school education full time, I am a certified TESOL/TOEFL instructor and work part-time teaching English to adult learners, many of whom are immigrants to America, at various levels of language proficiency. I understand the unique struggles that late-in-life and adult learners face, both in the classroom and in the workforce, and I don’t believe that anyone should be written off because of life experiences that don’t fit “the mold.” On the contrary, we should be leveraging these experiences to contribute to the learning enhancement of everyone. My journey, like so many adult learners, has been a long and, at times, difficult one. I studied for the LSAT while working full time and taking care of two young children in addition to teaching English part time at the local community college. There were many times I asked myself, “Why am I doing this?” only to stop and reflect on my journey and remind myself of my goals. Seven months later, I scored in the 93rd percentile nationwide with a score of 164.

I know I would be in good company at Lawman University, known for its focus on academic excellence, real-life application of theory and philosophy, and progressive social change. There are many areas of law that interest me; however, Lawman’s one-of-a-kind program in International and Comparative Law is of special interest to me given the implications of increased global change and the opportunities to work and study abroad—which I did not have while in undergrad but would love to take advantage of now. Such a credential would allow me to work in a diverse array of arenas and even continue working in the field of education as an attorney with a more global perspective. Through my work with my adult English language learners, I have learned many things about the ways in which society is changing, specifically in areas related to the movement of people across borders. Law affects us all, yet it is something most of us take for granted day to day. The only times many of us think about the implications of the law is if/when we break it, if/when we’re in trouble, and if/when we hear or see the success or failure of the law at play. Yet for thousands of people, especially those whose pursuit of a different life is constrained by the law, it is something with which they must contend regularly.

I want my children to grow up embracing the law, not fearing it like so many are taught to do. As an attorney, I’d like to be able to increase awareness among everyday people about the way the law affects them and encourage them to educate themselves so that they can benefit from the law. This is especially so among immigrant populations and individuals who live and operate on a global level. I am so excited about the opportunity to return to school and finally pursue my dream of becoming an attorney. By doing so, I also serve as an example for others who may not believe that making a late-in-life career change or going back to school after starting a family is possible. To this end, I’d love to get involved with Lawman Alliance of Adult Students (LAAS), as I understand they are doing great work creating a sense of community among students like me and inspiring others to find their place at the institution. In addition to joining the Lawman family of students and alumni, I am also excited about the opportunity to be an example within my own family and serve as a reminder that anything is possible if you remain committed to your purpose. Thank you for your time and consideration.