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I think I finally found an ending... thoughts?

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 12:30 am
by clevermoose
Thanks for all of your help this year guys! Let me know what needs adjustment.
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Personal Statement

The United States legal system can sometimes prove to be vicious for the underprivileged. At the ACLU National Prison Project in Washington, D.C., I would receive around twenty-five letters each day from prisoners who had suffered as a result of a difficulty with the legal system. Each day, the letters described the prisoners’ problems that nearly always dealt with abuse, malnourishment, healthcare neglect, and rape. The prisoners’ challenges were further exacerbated either by their unfamiliarity with the English language or their lack of funds for legal aid. The letters issued pleas for pro bono legal representation, but most letters, unfortunately, were answered with relevant but general legal information and apologies. Our office worked hard and passionately to advocate for mistreated prisoners and we were often successful when we accepted a case. However, the large majority who reached out for our help remained in their same conditions merely because we did not have the resources to help them.

This same trend was evident at my local Community Legal Information Center. We simply did not have the resources to address and remedy all of the suffering. My experience at both of these organizations left the same impression in my mind: our world needs more knowledgeable and tenacious individuals who are willing to devote their professional lives to the underprivileged. The need for public service organizations is dire, for the social benefits that result from their work are invaluable.

As a student who funds his education through financial aid and scholarships, I understand and greatly appreciate the value of programs that help those with need improve their lives. If it were not for the assistance of altruistic foundations, awards, or government programs, it would be incredibly difficult for me to obtain a high quality education. I have much to be thankful for because most of my education was made possible as a result of programs that help people in difficult life situations. In my case, I was helped because of my family’s financial difficulties.

Additionally, my exposure to the legal field must largely be credited to programs created by the University of California and local philanthropic organizations. For example, while participating in the UC Davis School of Law’s King Hall Outreach Program, I was exposed to the demands of legal education. I met with lawyers, judges, law school students, and professors to discover if the field of law was right for me and what kinds of law would interest me most. What most caught my interest were the public service clinics that allow students to experience the field of which they finds most interesting or important. This aspect of law school is exciting for me and I am eager to be a part of a law school that encourages its students to participate in public interest law with real world applications.

In any field of law, to advocate is to give a voice for someone. In the legal world, where so much is at stake, everybody needs a voice. However, undertaking the role of an advocate cannot be done capriciously. One must have a strong devotion and respect for our system of justice. This devotion and respect is manifested by diligently preparing and representing each client unconditionally with integrity. I recognize that the act of giving someone a voice comes with immense responsibility. My goal is to spend the next three years of my life preparing as much as possible to put myself in a position where I can make a difference. That difference can be made by supporting groups that give the underprivileged and neglected a voice. I will go to law school with the strong intent of becoming an advocate, where I can expand the programs that have helped so many, including myself.

Re: I think I finally found an ending... thoughts?

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:40 am
by JenDarby
clevermoose wrote: I recognize that the act of giving someone a voice comes with immense responsibility.
With great power comes great responsibility.

(I understand that was not at all helpful, but some how without reading I honed in on that sentence and that's how I read it. As soon as my cookies are done baking, I will make up for this insignificant contribution.)

Re: I think I finally found an ending... thoughts?

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:25 am
by clevermoose
spiderman quotes ftw!