Hometown: Southfield, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan ’06, A.B. Political Science
Other Degree Granting Institutions: University of Michigan ‘07, Master of Public Policy
Activities on Campus: Harvard Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

My path to Harvard Law was a bit roundabout. While my undergraduate GPA was good, I didn’t feel as confident about other parts of my application. I applied to Harvard Law in September and had my application placed “on hold” in January. In mid-April, I was offered a spot on the waitlist, which I neither accepted nor declined. I got admitted to Harvard in late May. Prior to my enrollment at Harvard, I nearly committed to NYU Law because of a scholarship offer and actually enrolled at Columbia Law in late March. Although there was a bit of inconvenience involved in withdrawing from Columbia and getting acquainted with Harvard somewhat late in the game, I know that I made the right decision.

The application process required sound planning, focus, patience and a positive attitude. I applied early, continued to do well in my coursework and sent Harvard an updated transcript and additional letters of recommendation after I received the email notifying me that my application was placed on hold. In sum, while the application process was long and riddled with uncertainty, Harvard Law’s unmatched academic environment, resources, diversity and career opportunities made all of the preparation and planning worth it in the end.