Veteran Student Profiles

What did you do before law school?

I earned my BS in education at Baylor University in 2019 and commissioned into the Medical Service Corps. I served from 2019 to early 2024 and was stationed in South Korea and San Antonio. I earned my MA in education while on active duty and thought I would go back to teaching after I separated from the Army. However, my passion and urgency to help fight the climate crisis led me to pursue work in environmental advocacy.

What led you to pursue law school?

One of my prior bosses mentioned law school to me around 2021/2022 after I told him I wanted to work in policy reform and social justice. Since I struggled to land a sustainable and enjoyable job after I separated, and since I also had VA benefits, I decided to apply for law school. I never imagined I'd be a law student.

How has Seattle University School of Law benefited you? What have you found most valuable during your law school experience?

Like others, I read many negative Reddit comments saying how awful 1L year would be, so I had low expectations about my success and enjoyment. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by how fun and engaging school actually is, and attribute that to SU, as I doubt I would feel that way at other law schools. I really appreciate the supportive and collaborative environment SU's faculty and staff cultivate, and I know it is making a difference in my confidence and success. For example, I secured a judicial internship for summer 2026 and believe that, although my professional experience made me competitive, my writing sample bolstered my application. I attribute that to SU's writing faculty and curriculum.