MAY 2020 LAW SCHOOL STUDENT FEATURE: Meet Chadli!
Chadli Pittman, 1L, The George Washington University Law School
Our first featured law school student is Chadli Pittman, a 1L at The George Washington University Law School! During our interview, Chadli shared her experience with the law school applications process, her gap years before matriculating, and some advice for any aspiring law school student. Chadli is a wonderful role model and we’re so excited that she is our first feature on the site! Enjoy!
Why did you decide to pursue a JD?
The short answer is that I want to help people. But that's almost everyone's reason for going to law school, or at least the reason that they will give admissions counselors. So, the longer answer is that I believe that my life experiences uniquely educated me about the racial and socioeconomic oppression that is still embedded within our society. As a recent cancer survivor, I understand the implications of not only battling an illness, but also the financial complexities and socioeconomic barriers that contribute to the difficulty of this experience, and how these barriers disproportionately impact minority communities. Although I would not describe any parts of my battle as pleasant, because of the extensive health insurance coverage that I gained through my employer, I had the privilege of making choices and weighing treatment options that many disenfranchised individuals may never have. Accordingly, I intend to use my legal career to address this disparity, and work to expand the access of minorities and under-served communities to quality healthcare.
What was your undergraduate major? How did this major prepare you for law school?
I was a Comparative Women's Studies Major in undergrad. Although this may seem unrelated, I genuinely believe that any major that teaches you to effectively research, write, and orally communicate is relevant, as long as you can articulate how this knowledge has prepared you to be successful in law school. However, if you are in the early stages of your undergraduate matriculation and already plan on attending law school, of course, Political Science, Sociology, or any other major with a pre-law track is a great option.
Are there any programs, clubs, or internships you would recommend to undergraduate students who aspire to attend law school?
If you have identified the type of law that you are interested in practicing, it's great to get involved with groups or organizations in that industry, even if those groups do not have a legal focus. For example, if you are interested in Health Law, like me, it's great to join Public Health related organizations to showcase your commitment and to develop an extensive understanding of the subject matter. However, there are many people who will decide to attend law school on a whim, and thus, who may not have the time to be as strategic beforehand. This is perfectly fine as well. Rather than focusing on organizations to stack your resume with, focus on pursuing mentors in some of the practice areas and industries that you may be interested in. These mentors will not only help you identify programs and organizations that align with your career goals, but also connect you with some of their colleagues and professional connections who can also help guide you.
What was the most difficult part of the law school application process and how did you overcome this difficulty?
The most difficult part of my law school application process was deciding which schools made the most sense for me. I am a first generation law student and never planned to go to law school until the year that I actually applied. So, when I told friends and mentors that I was applying, I was inundated with conflicting advice ranging from choosing the school that gave me the most money, to choosing the highest ranking school because it would give me the best career opportunities in the long run. Although I've never been someone who centered my professional decisions around prestige, I found myself feeling that I had to do so in order to make my decision make sense to everyone else. However, I eventually chose to do what made the most sense for me and created my own process with the faith that things would fall into place. Fast-forward to now, as I finish my first year at The George Washington University Law School and prepare for a summer associate position at the big firm of my dreams, I know that I made the best decision for me.
How did you find inspiration for your personal statement?
My personal statement was inspired by the event which made me decide that I wanted to be an attorney. At the end of the day, most people will write statements about wanting to attend law school so that they can help people in some shape or form. Although that is a great goal to have, the main focus of a good personal statement is the "why". Not only should you be able to identify a specific way in which you plan to use your legal education to accomplish this goal, but also, why this goal matters to you based on your own personal experiences. Also, it's important that you learn how to tactfully speak on your accomplishments, experiences, and the transferable skills that you’ve gained. While this may seem like common sense to some, a lot of people struggle with the idea of bragging on themselves, and consequently fail to elaborate on some of the major accomplishments that could set their application apart. Finally, inspiration and direction manifest with time, so make sure you begin working on your statement around 6 to 8 weeks before you hope to have your final draft completed. Allow people who you trust to edit the essay and give you feedback, and allow your initial vision to evolve as you work on telling one finalized and cohesive story about who you are.
Did you take a gap year(s)? If so, what did you do and do you think it was a beneficial experience before law school?
Yes. I worked for two years in between undergrad and law school. Although I did not begin working with the goal of returning to school, the work experience that I gained from my previous employer, LinkedIn, has been invaluable to my law school journey. As a Corporate Solutions Consultant, I learned to work under strict deadlines, to communicate professionally, to be respectfully persistent, and to maintain professional relationships. These skills helped me to efficiently network and learn from legal professionals, and largely contributed to my ability to secure the summer opportunity of my dreams.
Looking back on your journey to law school, what’s one piece of advice you’d give yourself?
It sounds cliche, but seriously, comparison is the thief of joy. Your law school journey is personal to you, as is your legal career. Decide what is important to you and outline some of the specific skills that you are hoping to gain from law school. Then, identify organizations, resources, and opportunities that your school offers which would help you develop and practice those skills. While additional opportunities will indubitably present themselves throughout your journey, assess them based on your overall goal, and do not be afraid to decline opportunities that don’t add value. I'm still a 1L, so obviously I'm no pro, but I do believe that if you remain strategic, you can get exactly what you want from the experience.