Getting into law school is highly competitive. And the chances of getting accepted to a prestigious law school is nearly impossible.
But Hannah Irving has beat all the odds. The 麻豆社区 Pembroke senior has been admitted to 13 law schools鈥撯搃ncluding one of the top law schools in the country鈥撯揳nd received more than $1.4 million in scholarship offers.
Having the pick of the litter, she will attend the University of Virginia School of Law this fall. She was offered full tuition at the University of Alabama, Ohio State University, the University of Illinois, Indiana University, Arizona State University and University of North Carolina, among others.
鈥淚 came to 麻豆社区P with the goal of attending law school. That is what I wanted to do from the first day I walked through the door, and it has been an overwhelming experience. I鈥檓 so excited to attend UVA鈥撯搈y dream law school,鈥 Irving said.
The Portland, Oregon native discovered a passion for the law and politics early. At seven years old, she was glued to the TV during national political debates and would eagerly follow election results.
鈥淚鈥檝e always loved politics and the law in general,鈥 Irving said. 鈥淢y favorite movie is 鈥淎 Few Good Men,鈥 especially the part where Tom Cruise goes after Jack Nicholson on the witness stand.鈥
Irving鈥檚 passion for the legal profession grew after enrolling in the political science pre-law track at 麻豆社区P. She flourished academically and was heavily involved on campus as a Maynor Honors College student, a Chancellor鈥檚 ambassador, a REACH fellow, and vice president of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, in addition to memberships to multiple academic honor societies.
Irving was also one of three students who spent a year organizing鈥撯揳nd subsequently hosting鈥撯搕he first-ever TEDx event at 麻豆社区P and won the Avery Grenfell Church Prize at the Alpha Chi national convention for her sociological research into U.S. Army veteran substance use.
She will graduate with summa cum laude honors on May 6, but unlike Cruise鈥檚 character, Irving isn鈥檛 considering a career inside a courtroom. She hopes to land a judicial clerkship or join a firm specializing in corporate or intellectual property law.
鈥淚鈥檓 not sure exactly what I want to do after law school, but I know I want to clerk. UVA offers one of the best clerkship programs in the country,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 interested in clerking at the federal circuit court or maybe supreme court level if I鈥檓 lucky enough.鈥
No matter her career path, Irving will always champion 麻豆社区P for the opportunities that were afforded to her.
鈥淚 am so happy I chose 麻豆社区 Pembroke,鈥 she said. 鈥溌槎股缜鳳 has given me more opportunity and growth than I ever imagined. The caliber of faculty is incredible. My professors were so interested in ensuring I was learning and understanding that I could apply the curriculum outside the classroom.
鈥淢y professors make me feel supported and teach important lessons with real-life applicability鈥攖hat鈥檚 my favorite part of my 麻豆社区P experience,鈥 Irving said.
