Education & Rationale
Jaymi-Lyn Souza, Worcester State University
I decided that I wanted to be a lawyer when I was around ten years old. I had gained some knowledge of the legal system as a child and even just from my limited exposure, I saw how important it was to have representation. Since then, I realized that our system is only fair if there are people who strive to keep it fair. My goal has always been to help people, and I realized that by being a lawyer, I would be able to do so by making sure they are represented and that their voices are heard.
When I applied to college, I applied to most places as a political science major. Worcester State did not have a political science major, so I applied, was accepted, and given a full scholarship as a history major. At the beginning of my freshman year, I met with my academic advisor, who referred me to Dr. Dell’Aera– a Political Science faculty member. He took over as my advisor, and told me that he and his colleagues were attempting to establish a political science major at Worcester State. Unfortunately, that did not happen in time for me to pursue my degree that way, so I chose and excelled in the History major, with a minor in Political Science.
Political science and philosophy are the two areas of study that will best help me in my pursuit of a law degree. As a senior, I am almost done with my degree. The courses I have taken have helped me to grow as a critical thinker and have widened the way I see the world. Through my studies and in-field experience working on campaigns, I have been exposed to theories, beliefs, and perspectives aside from my own. These skills are imperative to becoming a good lawyer: my career goals are to ensure that laws are applied in a just manner, and that laws themselves are just. In order to evaluate whether something is or is not just, I have to be able to consider justice from many different perspectives, because what is fair to one person may have detrimental impacts on another.
Through my electives, I was able to take a substantial course load in philosophy, as well. Philosophy is heavily related to law: both require interpreting and evaluating dense, oftentimes theoretical texts. Because of the blend of courses I have taken, my degree does not just make me more competitive as I apply to law school– it ensures that I will be a better law student.
As a tribute to my late brother, my remaining electives were dedicated to taking and tutoring Computer Science courses.
Jaymi-Lyn Souza 