Unlike some people, I did not always know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew how I wanted to feel, but I was unsure what career would satisfy that for me. I know I need to be challenged. I need to help people. I need to know that what I do is meaningful to others. The defining experience in my decision to pursue a Juris Doctorate degree was my internship at the Department of Social Services. My work with Assistant County Attorney, Albert Aaron, in Family Court served as a vital step on my path to law school. Mr. Aaron works within the Legal Unit of the Department of Social Services, providing legal services for cases of child neglect and abuse. The opportunity to be mentored by Mr. Aaron was monumental in my pursuit of the law. His insistence that I interact with clients as a lawyer would gave me insight into the legal system that is typically reserved for attorneys. Mr. Aaron helps put families back together. He shows grace to the people in my community who need it most. Everything he does helps people gain their second chance at a better life. That is what I want to do as well. His guidance instilled a newly-found confidence in my commitment to serve the interests of people through working in the legal field. Attending law school will allow me to pursue my passion for serving people, especially through its pro bono public interest program. Mr. Aaron introduced me to the Family Court Statutes, but as my time working with him progressed, I found myself diving beyond the words of books in front of me. Most memorable of this exploration was the interview I conducted with a client who was fighting for custody of her children against her verbally and physically abusive husband. I was absorbed by the weight of this interview and my role as lead interviewer. Speaking with this young mother magnified that being a lawyer is much more than working case after case– it is about serving people. I learned that while many view the law as a form of punishment, I see it as an opportunity for a second chance. My experience at the Department of Social Services fuels my pursuit to attend law school and become an attorney, to one day be able to serve people like that mother in addition to countless others. Attending law school will best equip me with the knowledge and skills to excel in an environment filled with limitless potential. I plan to study public interest and family law so that I can pursue my passion of serving people at the legal level. So, while others always knew what they wanted to be, I have also come to know. I am committed to serving the public. I am committed to making the world around me a better place.

Albert Aaron, Assistant County Attorney in Broome County, New York, is what leadership means to me. When I think of a leader, someone in my own life who has inspired me to make change, promote justice, instill confidence in people around me, Al is the person I think of. Unlike some people, I did not always know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew how I wanted to feel, but I was unsure what career would satisfy that for me. I know I need to be challenged. I need to help people. I need to know that what I do is meaningful to others. The defining experience in my decision to pursue a Juris Doctorate degree was my internship with Al at the Department of Social Services. Mr. Aaron introduced me to the Family Court Statutes, but as my time working with him progressed, I found myself diving beyond the words of books in front of me. Most memorable of this exploration was the interview I conducted with a client who lost custody of her children as a result of her drug addiction. I was absorbed by the weight of this interview and my role as lead interviewer. Speaking with this young mother magnified that being a lawyer is much more than working case after case– it is about serving people. I learned that while many view the law as a form of punishment, I see it as an opportunity for a second chance. Mr. Aaron helps put families back together. He shows grace to the people in my community who need it most. Everything he does helps people gain their second chance at a better life. That is what I want to do as well. His guidance instilled a newly-found confidence in my commitment to serve the interests of people through working in the legal field. Leadership, to me, is about being the best version of yourself that you can be in order to make the world around you a better place. Much like Al does every day, I hope to do the same through a legal standpoint where I can make concrete change. My experience at the Department of Social Services fuels my pursuit to attend law school and become an attorney, to one day be able to serve people as I did that mother in addition to countless others who need it most.

I reflect on my life experiences and acknowledge that my identity as a collegiate student-athlete is what has brought me the most excitement throughout college. Though academics have been a strong aspect of mine for the past four years, it is my experience as an NCAA Division I softball student-athlete at Binghamton University that have allowed me to channel my competitive spirit in such a way that connects my physical strength to that of my mind and soul. As a college athlete, I have endured distinct experiences that are unlike those of the average student. I believe that my developed ability to manage my time through a rigorous schedule has guided me to confidently apply for law school in 2023. Being a student-athlete ultimately distinguishes me from the typical applicant, and it is what fuels my aspiration to become an attorney. Being able to compete has allowed me to uncover a deeper level of myself in terms of mental strength. Being a student-athlete, by law, requires that we dedicate no more than twenty hours a week towards sport-related activity. Yet, while this in itself is a large sum of time to dedicate, it does not include the thirty extra minutes I must show up early to the locker room before every lift or practice. It does not include the eight study-hall hours mandated by my coaches to complete each week. It does not include the countless hours spent on buses and planes to travel to competitions. It does not include the lengthy time spent in the training room treating injuries and preventing further ones. Moreover, my recorded NCAA time restrictions do not reflect the classes I am unable to take due to conflicting practice times, or the dozens of classes I miss during season due to travel, or the numerous social activities we all, as athletes, miss out on because of early morning wakeups and prior commitments. Yet, above all, the numbers on my time charts do not account for the love I have for my sport and the emotional dedication I place into my craft daily. I love what I do, and when you are doing what you love, the time you put into it does not feel like an obligation or a job at all. This love is what nurtures my mind and soul while also taking care of me physically as well. These four years as a student-athlete have left me in the most physically and emotionally-sound shape of my life. My connection between pushing myself to my limit- while also taking care of my mind and soul competitively and athletically- has been life-changing. Though times get tough with the number of commitments I balance on my plate, I find that having softball as an outlet has been an amazing opportunity for me to keep a healthy mind and soul while maintaining a healthy body at the same time. My time spent as a collegiate student-athlete has ultimately shaped my aspiration to pursue a career in law. While attending law school may have always been a possibility for my future, I became solidified in my pursuit after recognizing my self-determination and grit. Having dealt with, and excelled through, the overwhelming schedule of a Division I athlete, my distinct character will contribute greatly to my success in law school. I am dedicated to putting in the time and energy to earn a career in the legal field, and I am confident that the grit I have gained throughout my time as a student-athlete will not leave me when I take off my cleats for the last time.

Unlike some people, I did not always know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew how I wanted to feel, but I was unsure what career would satisfy that for me. I know I need to be challenged. I need to help people. I need to know that what I do is meaningful to others. After much research, the idea of a career in law seemed to fit. I explored the field by using LinkedIn to connect with law students from across the country, shadowing a family friend at his law firm, and declaring an undergraduate major of Philosophy, Politics, and Law. In addition to a Philosophy, Politics, and Law major, I eventually added a Human Rights minor to my courseload. Through this, I was exposed to the world of human development, sociology, and human rights at the most profound level. My interest in public service piqued with these studies. I excelled in my academic courses, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.79/4.00. As a result of my persistence to explore the legal field and my accomplishments in the classroom, I grew a strong suspicion that law was the career for me. However, when I landed an internship with the Broome County Department of Social Services, it was transformational. I no longer had a suspicion that law was the career for me, but rather knew it had become my passion and confirmed what all my inquiries supported: becoming a lawyer is what I am meant to do. The defining experience in my decision to pursue a Juris Doctorate degree was my internship at the Department of Social Services. My work with Assistant County Attorney, Albert Aaron, in Family Court served as a vital step on my path to law school. Mr. Aaron works within the Legal Unit of the Department of Social Services, providing legal services for cases of child neglect and abuse. The opportunity to be mentored by Mr. Aaron was monumental in my pursuit of the law. His insistence that I interact with clients as a lawyer would gave me insight into the legal system that is typically reserved for attorneys. Mr. Aaron helps put families back together. He shows grace to the people in my community who need it most. Everything he does helps people gain their second chance at a better life. That is what I want to do as well. His guidance instilled a newly-found confidence in my commitment to serve the interests of people through working in the legal field. Attending Rutgers Law School will allow me to pursue my passion for serving people, especially through its pro bono public interest program. Moreover, my professional experience at the Department of Social Services has equipped me with unique skills that will enable me to contribute to the Rutgers Law School values and succeed in its curriculum. While reading legal statutes, attending hearings, and drafting official memorandums developed fundamental skills, my internship also highlighted the importance of communicating and interacting with people, the most important skill of all. Mr. Aaron introduced me to the Family Court Statutes, but as my time working with him progressed, I found myself diving beyond the words of books in front of me. Most memorable of this exploration was the interview I conducted with a client who lost custody of her children as a result of her drug addiction. How long have you been doing drugs? What kind of drugs did you do? What was your motivation to get clean? I was absorbed by the weight of this interview and my role as lead interviewer. Speaking with this young mother magnified that being a lawyer is much more than working case after case– it is about serving people. It was empowering to see a woman who had struggled for years finally regain custody of her children, knowing that I had a role in helping her. This woman is a part of my community; her case embodies just how meaningful my legal career will be. Working at the Department of Social Services, I was challenged to find ways to help people. My work was meaningful and necessary. I learned that while many view the law as a form of punishment, I see it as an opportunity for a second chance. Sometimes, a second chance for the family to be reunited, and other times a second chance for the children to have a brighter future. Through my experience at the Department of Social Services, I have learned that the law is good, it is made to propel society forward. To me, the work I did at the Department of Social Services embodies what public interest truly means. Public interest is a purposeful investment in the betterment of society. It is the protection of community values and concerns. My experience at the Department of Social Services fuels my pursuit to attend Rutgers Law School and become an attorney, to one day be able to serve people as I did that mother. Being located so close to New York City, attending such a prestigious law school will best equip me with the knowledge and skills to excel in an environment filled with limitless potential. So, while others always knew what they wanted to be, I have also come to know. My decision has been researched and carefully thought out, and my distinctive professional experience uniquely qualifies me as a candidate. I am committed to serving the public. I want to be a lawyer.

I reflect on my life experiences and acknowledge that my identity as a collegiate student-athlete is what has brought me the most excitement throughout college. Though academics have been a strong aspect of mine for the past four years, it is my experience as an NCAA Division I softball student-athlete at Binghamton University that has allowed me to channel my competitive spirit in such a way that connects my physical strength to that of my mind and soul. As a college athlete, I have endured distinct experiences that are unlike those of the average student. I believe that my developed ability to manage my time through a rigorous schedule has guided me to confidently apply for law school in 2023. Being a student-athlete ultimately distinguishes me from the typical applicant, and it is what fuels my aspiration to become an attorney. Being able to compete has allowed me to uncover a deeper level of myself in terms of mental strength. Being a student-athlete, by law, requires that we dedicate no more than twenty hours a week towards sport-related activity. Yet, while this in itself is a large sum of time to dedicate, it does not include the thirty extra minutes I must show up early to the locker room before every lift or practice. It does not include the eight study-hall hours mandated by my coaches to complete each week. It does not include the countless hours spent on buses and planes to travel to competitions. It does not include the lengthy time spent in the training room treating injuries and preventing further ones. Moreover, my recorded NCAA time restrictions do not reflect the classes I am unable to take due to conflicting practice times, or the dozens of classes I miss during season due to travel, or the numerous social activities we all, as athletes, miss out on because of early morning wakeups and prior commitments. Yet, above all, the numbers on my time charts do not account for the love I have for my sport and the emotional dedication I place into my craft daily. I love what I do, and when you are doing what you love, the time you put into it does not feel like an obligation or a job at all. This love is what nurtures my mind and soul while also taking care of me physically as well. These four years as a student-athlete have left me in the most physically and emotionally-sound shape of my life. My connection between pushing myself to my limit- while also taking care of my mind and soul competitively and athletically- has been life-changing. Though times get tough with the number of commitments I balance on my plate, I find that having softball as an outlet has been an amazing opportunity for me to keep a healthy mind and soul while maintaining a healthy body at the same time. My time spent as a collegiate student-athlete has ultimately shaped my aspiration to pursue a career in law. While attending law school may have always been a possibility for my future, I became solidified in my pursuit after recognizing my self-determination and grit. Having dealt with, and excelled through, the overwhelming schedule of a Division I athlete, my distinct character will contribute greatly to my success in law school. I am dedicated to putting in the time and energy to earn a career in the legal field, and I am confident that the grit I have gained throughout my time as a student-athlete will not leave me when I take off my cleats for the last time.

I reflect on my life experiences and acknowledge that my identity as a collegiate student-athlete is what has brought me the most excitement throughout college. Though academics have been a strong aspect of mine for the past four years, it is my experience as an NCAA Division I softball student-athlete at Binghamton University that have allowed me to channel my competitive spirit in such a way that connects my physical strength to that of my mind and soul. As a college athlete, I have endured distinct experiences that are unlike those of the average student. I believe that my developed ability to manage my time through a rigorous schedule has guided me to confidently apply for law school in 2023. Being a student-athlete ultimately distinguishes me from the typical applicant, and it is what fuels my aspiration to become an attorney. Being able to compete has allowed me to uncover a deeper level of myself in terms of mental strength. Being a student-athlete, by law, requires that we dedicate no more than twenty hours a week towards sport-related activity. Yet, while this in itself is a large sum of time to dedicate, it does not include the thirty extra minutes I must show up early to the locker room before every lift or practice. It does not include the eight study-hall hours mandated by my coaches to complete each week. It does not include the countless hours spent on buses and planes to travel to competitions. It does not include the lengthy time spent in the training room treating injuries and preventing further ones. Moreover, my recorded NCAA time restrictions do not reflect the classes I am unable to take due to conflicting practice times, or the dozens of classes I miss during season due to travel, or the numerous social activities we all, as athletes, miss out on because of early morning wakeups and prior commitments. Yet, above all, the numbers on my time charts do not account for the love I have for my sport and the emotional dedication I place into my craft daily. I love what I do, and when you are doing what you love, the time you put into it does not feel like an obligation or a job at all. This love is what nurtures my mind and soul while also taking care of me physically as well. These four years as a student-athlete have left me in the most physically and emotionally-sound shape of my life. My connection between pushing myself to my limit- while also taking care of my mind and soul competitively and athletically- has been life-changing. Though times get tough with the number of commitments I balance on my plate, I find that having softball as an outlet has been an amazing opportunity for me to keep a healthy mind and soul while maintaining a healthy body at the same time. My time spent as a collegiate student-athlete has ultimately shaped my aspiration to pursue a career in law. While attending law school may have always been a possibility for my future, I became solidified in my pursuit after recognizing my self-determination and grit. Having dealt with, and excelled through, the overwhelming schedule of a Division I athlete, my distinct character will contribute greatly to my success in law school. I am dedicated to putting in the time and energy to earn a career in the legal field, and I am confident that the grit I have gained throughout my time as a student-athlete will not leave me when I take off my cleats for the last time.

While the typical interpretation of diversity refers to race, culture, religion, or gender, I reflect on my life experiences and acknowledge that my identity as a student-athlete also qualifies as a trait that contributes to my diversity. As an NCAA Division I softball student-athlete at Binghamton University, I have endured distinct experiences that are unlike those of the average student. Only one percent of college students are Division I student-athletes. I believe that my ability to manage my time through a rigorous schedule separates me from other candidates and uniquely qualifies me for law school. Whereas my identity may not fit into the typical categories of diversity– race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation– being a student-athlete ultimately distinguishes me from the typical applicant, and it is what fuels my aspiration to become an attorney. Though time management may be a common or basic quality utilized by law school candidates, I truly believe in my skill in this area and find my situation, unlike most others. Being a student-athlete, by law, requires that we dedicate no more than twenty hours a week towards sport-related activity. While this in itself is a large sum of time to dedicate, it does not include the thirty extra minutes I must show up early to the locker room before every lift or practice. It does not include the eight study-hall hours mandated by my coaches to complete each week. It does not include the countless hours spent on buses and planes to travel to competitions. It does not include the lengthy time spent in the training room treating injuries and preventing further ones. Yet, above all, the numbers on my time charts do not account for the love I have for my sport and the emotional dedication I place into my craft on a daily basis. Though I am required to balance all of these commitments, on top of a job, on top of an internship, on top of a full course load, I love what I do. And when you are doing what you love, the time you put into it does not feel like an obligation or a job at all, similar to how a job in law would not feel like work because it is my passion. Through working at the Broome County Department of Social Services, I learned the great importance of helping people. My work was meaningful and necessary. I learned that while many view the law as a means to punishment, I see it as an opportunity for a second chance. Through my experience at the Department of Social Services, I have learned that the law is good, it is made to propel society forward. For me, the work I did at the Department of Social Services embodies what public interest truly means. Public interest is a purposeful investment in the betterment of society. It is the protection of community values and concerns. My experience at the Department of Social Services fuels my pursuit to attend law school and become an attorney, to one day be able to serve people the people at the Department of Social Services do every day. Being able to attend law school will best equip me with the knowledge and skills to help people on a larger scale. Human rights has become my passion and I am committed to serving the public. I want to be a lawyer and continue my path of helping those that need it the most.