Alumni Profiles

Ariel Cook

When did you graduate from UWT? 

Spring 2020

What was your major?

Law and Policy, which has been a massive advantage entering law school, where many people have little background knowledge starting out! Taking law classes at UWT, especially with professors like Dr. Braddock who uses the case method (the pedagogical style used by law schools), was a huge step to prepare me for what law school would be like. That’s not to say you can’t succeed with an unrelated background— the top student in my last semester has a background in math!

Were you a first generation college student?

Yes! My dad went to trade school, but it was always his dream to go to law school some day. I’m also the first of my siblings to get a degree and I hope to be a role model for them!

Where are you attending law school?

Seattle University School of Law

What area of the law are you interested in pursuing?

Low Bono (low cost) family law, which is the area I worked in while I earned my Bachelor's degree.

What advice would you give to aspiring law students at UWT? 

Take advantage of the law related classes at UWT! The classes that I’m most grateful to have under my belt starting law school are Comparative Law, Law of the Arts, Gender and Law, Race and Law, and Environmental Law. These classes got me used to reading and understanding case law, and you’ll also need to have a passable understanding of the basic functions of the American legal system.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself, your experience applying to law school, or your experience as a law student?

Don’t hold yourself back! Imposter syndrome is such a huge obstacle for many prospective and beginning law students, so don’t let yourself believe you don’t belong- because you do!

Isabella Gossing

When did you graduate from UWT?

I graduated from UWT in June 2019

What was your major?

I majored in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences,

Where are you attending law school?

I am attending Seattle University School of Law 

What area of the law are you interested in pursuing?

Environmental Land Use Regulation (Beverly Naidus's Eco Art class heavily inspired me to pursue this area of law)

What advice would you give to aspiring law students at UWT?

Master discipline. Learning the law is not necessarily the most difficult part of law school. It's learning how to set aside the appropriate time to study and prepare for class on top of the million other things that must be done on a given day. Learn discipline in your undergrad and personal life, and you will be off to a great start in law school. 

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself, your experience applying to law school, or your experience as a law student?

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me. As a minority and woman, I was apprehensive of potential barriers that I may face in the admission process and in law school. However, there are so many resources and legal professionals that are willing to help prospective law students overcome these barriers or just answer any general questions. 

Bernadette Pena

When did you graduate from UWT?

I graduated from UW Tacoma in 2018

What was your major?

I was a Criminal Justice major.

Where are you attending law school?

UW School of Law

What area of the law are you interested in pursuing?

I’m not sure yet, but I am exploring corporate, tort, health, and International law.

What advice would you give to aspiring law students at UWT?

Utilize your resources—ask for advice from law school staff, connect with lawyers and law school students. In addition, if you can, observe a law class. It’s not meant for you to perfectly understand 1L classes but it gives you an overview of what you’re about to take on. Also, it teaches you law school skills that you would only learn as you go in law school such as case briefing, reading cases, annual law school schedule, law school and law language, etc.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself, your experience applying to law school, or your experience as a law student?

I migrated from the Philippines in 2015 where I took part of my bachelor’s degree before transferring the credits in UW Tacoma. Prior to law school, I worked for a nonprofit organization and a consulting firm for hospitals.

Upon deciding to try for law school, I took the LSAT.  After, I started applying to law schools. I made sure to attend events and speak to officials within the law schools prior to applying so that I understand what I am doing. During the application process I utilized the services in Legal Pathways to help me with my personal statements and resume for law school. After applying, I got accepted to all of the schools I applied for with scholarship offers: Gonzaga University, Seattle University and University of Washington. Choosing which law school required speaking to alumnus, law school students and law school staff/officials of the respective schools.

I am currently in 1L and do not really have much to say yet except that I feel that all my preparation (law school preview, saving, networking, reading about law school, etc.) is paying off so far! I’m surrounded by smart people constantly and yet since I feel prepared somehow, I don’t feel as pressured as I expected.

Amrita Sandhu

When did you graduate from UWT?

June 2020

What was your major?

Law and Policy

Where are you attending law school?

Seattle U

What area of the law are you interested in pursuing?

The million dollar question! I am interested in too many things to hone it in but my go to answer is legislative work in reproductive rights.

What advice would you give to aspiring law students at UWT?

First, while it is fine to venture out and major in something that isn’t law related, but majoring in Law and Policy just affirmed my decision to come to law school. Second, the LSAT only matters to get yourself in the door so do not let the madness of that test deter you!

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself, your experience applying to law school, or your experience as a law student?

I get cold-called on a lot and will just tell you now that it doesn’t get any less nerve wracking!

Becki Casey

When did you graduate from UWT?

Spring of 2020

What was your major?

Business Management with a double minor in Law & Policy and Gender & Sexuality Studies

Did you pursue a law-related graduate degree or law school? If so, where?

Yes. I went on to earn a Master of Jurisprudence from the University of Washington School of Law.

What area of the law do you work in? 

Employment Law

What advice would you give to aspiring law-interested students at UWT?

Not every journey looks the same and not every legal career requires a JD. Follow your interests and establish relationships with your professors who inspire you the most. I felt lost nearly my entire academic career, but I took the classes that brought me joy and made me feel excited. Eventually, I realized there was a pattern in these interests: business management, employment law, and Critical Race Theory. Now I work in HR at a Seattle law firm where I have the honor and the pleasure of doing important work in employee relations and diversity management. I love coming to work every day and I truly think that can be traced back to the fact that I consistently pursued coursework that I was most passionate about.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself, your experience applying to law or graduate school, or your experience as a law or graduate student?

I wish more people knew about the Master of Jurisprudence program at UW. It was just right for me because I knew I wanted a law-adjacent career. My advisors and mentors encouraged me to enroll in courses that were closely aligned with my interests and, ultimately, I was well prepared for my post-graduate career. I learned valuable reading and writing skills and I became much more familiar with our legal systems. Law school was a thrilling yet challenging journey that has made me a much more competitive candidate in the job market. The transition from undergrad to graduate school was terrifying and daunting but I survived and you will too!

Raquel Viviana Enriquez