A year ago I didn't even have my Bachelors, now I am about three months from entering law school, and I still won't have my Bachelors until I graduate in June. To say that this journey is mind-blowing would be the understatement of the year. I have managed to find some amazing resources that have led to meeting some amazing people. My first real experience interacting with others was the National Black Law Students Association's 53rd Annual Convention (www.nblsa.org) where I met and conversed with other aspiring law students. At this point in time, I had just completed my law school applications and I was waiting to hear back. It was on those group chats where I learned just how unprepared I really was because there were people that had been preparing for law school for years. Whereas I had decided in December, and applied in February. I heard students stressing over their diversity statements and personal statements, but I had just written mine out as I was applying. My next experience with fellow aspiring black law students would be through the Bridge Builders Esq. Organization. (https://bridgebuildersesq.org) It is through this organization that I was paired with a lawyer mentor, a law student mentor, and three other fellow aspiring law students. I was blessed enough to be a part of this program in its inaugural year, and I cannot wait to be able to contribute as a mentor as well.
As you might can imagine, I had concluded that I probably didn't stand a chance of getting into
law school. I was discouraged, yet determined to learn everything that I could from the conference and my mentors just in case I had to apply in the next cycle. I hadn't understood the
gravity of the task that I was undertaking. The law school that I wanted to attend accepted the GRE so I applied with my GRE scores. It wasn't until much later that I realized how unconventional my journey was even compared to nontraditional students. It's true that LSAT scores probably would have made my application stand out even more than the fact that I had over 15 years of work experience before I entered law school, but I entered into this completely blind. And while I am so thankful for the individual journey that I am on, there are times where I wonder if I really deserve this opportunity when others have been preparing for such a long time, and they still do not get accepted.
One thing that I will forever be grateful for is that the network of people that I met would not allow the imposter syndrome to set in. It has been etched in my brain that I deserve every opportunity that I receive, and that I absolutely belong. I want to encourage my readers that you deserve every opportunity that you receive, and you absolutely belong as well. Getting into law school is no easy feat, and even if your path did not have as many bumps and bruises as others, your path is still valid because it's yours.
If would like to read up on imposter syndrome or how to combat it then I will list a couple websites for reference below, and as always I welcome any comments, questions, or topic suggestions which you can submit on the home page of www.melanatedlaw.org.
10 STEPS YOU CAN USE TO OVERCOME IMPOSTOR SYNDROME https://impostorsyndrome.com/10-steps-overcome-impostor
YES, IMPOSTER SYNDROME IS REAL. HERE'S HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.
WHAT IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME?