Howard to Harvard

It wasn’t until I sat down to write this essay that I realized I am a direct reflection of her, my grandmother that is. She was a woman dedicated to her family, work, and community. Anyone who knew her would describe her as compassionate, hard working and goal-oriented. My most recent academic and community accomplishments serve as indicators that I, like my grandmother, possess these same qualities.

During my senior year of high school I received the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship and was accepted into my soon to be alma mater, Howard University. In those times it was not uncommon for my grandmother to boast to the grocery store cashier, bank teller, or anyone who would listen that her granddaughter had received a full scholarship and was attending Harvard University. Each time I would smile and politely correct her by saying, “Grandmother I’m going to Howard not Harvard.” She and whomever she was talking with would simply protest that it did not matter which HU I was attending, they were proud of me regardless. From then on I vowed to continue to serve as an inspiration to the many members of my community who had never left the small town of Durham, NC yet alone received a higher education. I’ve since exceeded my own expectations of the things I would achieve in my college tenure. Traveling abroad, serving as an Americorps member, interning for my United States Senator, and joining distinguished organizations culminate a few of my successes.

My grandmother has served as an inspiration in all elements of my life. Though she never attended college she encouraged me to practice law. I distinctly recall watching reality court shows with her after school. My grandmother earnestly believed that one day I’d be a powerful judge o...

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...aduate career. I am eager to be a member of a learning community that challenges me academically and provides real world experiences. Harvard Law affords its students the distinct opportunity to receive a premier education while participating in a variety of hands on clinical and pro bono programs. My performance in and out of the classroom serves as evidence of my high likelihood to succeed in this type of learning environment. Harvard would greatly benefit from adding a student of my background and potential to this incoming class. I have unique life experiences that will enhance classroom conversations and mold my peers into worldly future legal professionals.

In high school I always thought my grandmother was making a mistake when she told others that I would attend Harvard; however, in actuality she knew my potential and was speaking my future into existence.