I plan to make a positive impact on the world through a legal career dedicated to human rights advocacy, particularly for immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities. Growing up in a family of refugees from the fall of Yugoslavia, I witnessed firsthand how instability and lack of legal protection can affect generations. My parents always distrusted law enforcement, the legal system, healthcare system, anything that was “official” or even vaguely reminded them of a government entity. That experience shaped my understanding of how critical access to fair representation and justice is, especially for those who are vulnerable or navigating systems that feel overwhelming or inaccessible. My parents always made it seem like justice was a dream or like winning a lottery ticket, and not a human right. Through my law career, I hope to work directly with individuals and families who need legal support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. This includes helping people seeking asylum, advocating for those facing discrimination, and ensuring that individuals understand and can exercise their legal rights. My goal is to use the law not only as a professional tool, but as a means of protection, stability, and empowerment for those who might otherwise be unheard. Beyond direct representation, I also want to contribute to expanding access to legal knowledge and resources. Many people do not seek legal help because they are unaware of their rights or assume legal services are out of reach. I hope to help bridge this gap through community engagement, mentorship, and accessible communication, whether through outreach programs or digital platforms that simplify legal information. Making the legal system more understandable and approachable can have a lasting impact on how individuals advocate for themselves and their families. I also plan to bring cultural awareness, empathy, and lived understanding into my legal practice. My background has taught me the importance of listening, patience, and advocacy for those who may not feel comfortable speaking up within formal systems. I want to ensure that clients feel seen, respected, and supported throughout the legal process, not just represented. Ultimately, my goal is to build a career that combines advocacy, education, and service. I want my work to create both individual and community-level impact by helping people secure safety, fairness, and opportunity. Through law, I hope to contribute to a system that is more accessible and just, while also honoring the experiences that inspired me to pursue this path.

My long-term goal is to become a human rights attorney and advocate for immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities. This goal is deeply personal to me. I come from a family of refugees affected by the fall of Yugoslavia, and much of my upbringing was shaped by the consequences of instability and lack of legal protection. The fear, distrust, and survival mindset my parents carried with them influenced every aspect of our household and shaped the way I view justice today. I want to become the kind of support and protection my family once needed. To achieve this goal, I plan to attend the part-time JD program at Pace University while continuing to work full-time. My goal is to transition into the full-time program after my first year and graduate by 2029. Although this path allows me to begin law school sooner, it also presents significant financial challenges. Currently, I have approximately $6,000 saved toward law school and save about $700 from each biweekly paycheck. My estimated tuition cost is approximately $10,000 per semester under my current scholarship arrangement, though I anticipate costs increasing substantially if I transition to full-time status. I estimate needing at least $2,000 per month to stay on track with tuition payments and living expenses. In addition to supporting myself, I also help support my family. My father is elderly and disabled, and my mother works as a housekeeper and speaks limited English, so many responsibilities fall on me financially and personally. My largest expenses are transportation, healthcare-related costs, groceries, and household support. Because of this, I am trying to avoid taking on excessive student loan debt and have developed several plans to financially sustain myself throughout law school. First, I plan to continue working while enrolled and am actively seeking positions closer to my neighborhood with more flexible schedules. I also intend to pursue legal internships and clerkships through my university’s career center as early as my first year in law school in order to gain experience and supplement my income. Additionally, I have started creating online content documenting my academic journey and study habits, which I hope can eventually become a secondary source of income to help offset educational costs. I have also considered contingency plans if unexpected circumstances arise. If tuition increases beyond what I can afford, scholarships fall through, or maintaining employment during school becomes impossible, I am prepared to utilize federal student loans as a final option in order to complete my degree. Although I hope to minimize debt, I understand that investing in my education is necessary to create long-term stability for myself and my family. Receiving this scholarship would ease a significant financial burden and allow me to focus more fully on academic success and professional development. More importantly, it would help me continue pursuing a career dedicated to advocacy, justice, and providing others with the support and protection my family once lacked.