USC Law School Personal Statement - Essay Example

Over three years ago, I walked nervously to my first college At that time, I hardly realized that my subsequent experience would not only infuse a wide-eyed freshman with confidence, but also help to determine an undeclared major post-graduate course of study. Law 200 was my first college class. Now, reflecting on my freshman year of college, I understand how fortunate I was to have stumbled upon the study of law. For freshman at USC, the university offers a program where undeclared freshmen get enrolled in two courses coupled together. Having always enjoyed history, I chose the course group that included History 200 and Law 200. As a relatively naive and callow freshman, I envisioned myself eventually pursuing a career in business, simply to appease those who incessantly questioned me regarding my major and future profession. Nonetheless, I fortunately maintained an open mind and after my first few weeks of Law 200, taught by the legendary late USC law professor Charles Whitebread, I realized that I had discovered my passion. From reading cases on my own during the classroom discussions, I found myself frequently checking the clock, wishing that our current discussion regarding child law or the 4th amendment would continue indefinitely. However, much to my chagrin, although I had finally found a subject that truly captivated and excited me, USC did not offer an undergraduate law program. Being disappointed and still having an undeclared major, I once again maintained an open mind. Transferring into USC’s prestigious business school could wait; I wanted to continue exploring my options of study. After over a year of exploring, and now because of mounting pressure from even USC to finally choose a major, I made the best educational decision of my young life. I chose to pursue not one but two majors, a double major in political science and economics. After my declaration of double major, I am astounded by my intellectual and analytical development. Before choosing my double major, I accepted the lessons of my classes and professors merely at face value. For example, if I was taught to approach an issue or problem in a certain way, I would learn the method for that approach and then merely regurgitate that method. This form of learning actually proved successful for me throughout my high school and early college years. However, my economics and political science double major forcefully developed me into an analytical, questioning, and most importantly, active learner. Political science and economics delve into many of the same issues, yet both fields approach these issues with vastly different strategies and often reach contradictory conclusions. No longer could I merely passively accept professor’s conclusions, instead I had evolved to approach issues from multiple angles, understanding that professed theories or interpretations rarely have only one side. As I read or listened to lectures, I constantly found myself considering how economists would respond to this political scientist’s stance and set of facts or vice versa. Armed with a new outlook on approaching academia, I acted to help others develop into deeper, more advanced thinkers. This began first with my fraternity, Delta Chi. In the fall of my sophomore year, Delta Chi finished with the lowest fraternity GPA at USC. Upon observing our last place finish, I quickly requested that I should be appointed as scholarship chair, in other words the academic leader and overseer of the fraternity. I implored my fraternity brothers to not only develop themselves analytically, but to study and learn actively by questioning the underlying reasons and assumptions of the subject matter. Additionally, I organized study groups and assisted in the construction of a fraternity study room. During three semesters, I served as scholarship chair, I can proudly say that Delta Chi won most improved fraternity GPA twice and now sits in the top third of all fraternity GPAs. Additionally, my current work tutoring with USC’s Student Athlete Academic Services also involves encouraging intellectual development and growth. While the learning curve is much steeper for many of these athletes, as they come from disadvantaged backgrounds, their weekly progress and willingness to work hard reminds me of the rewarding nature of my job. When I reflect on my intellectual growth, my recent political science law courses illuminate why I immensely enjoyed Law 200. Law embraces and encourages active and analytical minds. In my law classes, we were not given conclusions. Instead we were given precedents, given a hypothetical situation, and then told to apply the law through IRAC, proving and reaching our own conclusion. As a freshman, I possessed an inspiring, though naive mind, waiting to break free and become the questioning, analytical thinker that I am today. Law 200 provided an early avenue to me to thoroughly exercise my mind, in a subject matter and context that I embrace. Now as a senior, I have enjoyed my recent political science law courses as much, if not more, as Law 200. Recently, I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and also awarded USC’s academically prestigious Dean Joan scholarship, for which my name was engraved on USC’s exclusive Wall of Scholars. Without my significant intellectual and cerebral maturation in the last three years, I would have achieved neither of these accomplishments nor excelled in my upper-division courses. In these three years, I transitioned from a smart and successful passive learner, to an analytical, questioning, and very successful active learner. I now excitedly await the next challenge in my academic career, pursuing a jury’s doctorate. After months of researching law schools and their different programs offered for the contentment of their students, USC remains firmly my first choice law school. My desire to attend the Gould School of Law stems from a multitude of factors. First, I love the Trojan Family and have always felt especially close to this family. My father (1971) and mother (1972) met while attending USC and my uncle (1971) graduated from USC as well. Currently, I am excitedly waiting for the arrival of my younger brother (), a recent spring admit who will begin classes this January. Since my arrival at USC as a freshman, I have cherished the camaraderie, faculty, and general aura of this campus, which has nurtured my development both as a student and an individual. The ability to maintain these cherished connections, while pursuing a law degree at one of the nation’s top law schools, is one reason why I want to attend the Gould School of Law. However, even more importantly, I want to attend the Gould School of Law for a variety of characteristics specific to the law school. To begin with, I would like to continue my economics education while attending law school. Gould’s dual-degree program with a Masters in Economics is the only law school program that will allow me to complete my JD/MA ECON in three years. Additionally, unlike other law schools where one must apply to the JD and MA/ ECON programs simultaneously, USC’s dual degree program lets me apply to the MA/ECON program during my first year of law school. This flexibility, along with USC’s requirement that law students take only law classes their first year, will allow me to adjust to law school life before adding the extra economics workload. As somebody who plans on pursuing a focus in tax or estate law, USC’s flexible and streamlined JD/MA ECON program appears to be a perfect fit. Finally, my desire to pursue a law degree at USC also derives from a pair of simpler factors. I plan on practicing law in Southern California and I have heard from multiple sources that Gould’s connections, and the opportunities presented to their graduates and alumni both locally and nationally, are incredible. Furthermore, every Gould student I have met on campus simply raves about the law school. In my encounters, they have spoken highly in regards to the cooperative nature of the student body, the school’s diversity, the Thursday night bar reviews, and most frequently, the faculty. I have visited numerous law schools already and I always attempt to speak candidly with as many law students as possible. These students also typically speak positively of their school. Yet, unlike my encounters with Gould students, I never left a conversation with those students feeling as though I would miss something special if I chose another law school. After three and a half wonderful years at USC, I now feel prepared to traverse the next step in my life. I understand that the Gould School of Law, if admitted, will challenge and test my intellect, resolution, and determination beyond any experience I have yet encountered. However, I feel confident that ultimately, my work ethics, passion for law, analytical mind, and determination will lead to my success. Read More