Jasmine Estrada

I think just being very self-motivated. I was actually homeschooled a bit when I was younger, and it really taught me how to be an independent thinker and find that internal motivation to get my schoolwork done. Even in high school, I did a hybrid program, so a lot of my courses were online, and I basically taught myself. Learning how to do things on my own and just figuring it out as I go was something that really made me excel in school and at UCLA, and also just in studying for the LSAT and all the other activities I have in my life. My family is a huge part in that too. My parents are very supportive, and I have three younger siblings who look up to me, so just being a role model for them and trying to do my best to inspire them as well keeps me motivated.

I think don't be afraid to reach out to people who are already doing what you want to do. I had just found law students on Instagram and DM'd them, like, hey, can I ask you some questions about law school, the LSAT? And a few of them got back to me with questions. One of them even met me for coffee and was super helpful throughout the application process. No one in most of my family has ever been to grad school, so just having someone, finding someone to help me with the application process and everything was super helpful. I've been to different events and talked to attorneys to see what their life is like and if that's something I'd want to do. So just, yeah, not being afraid to put yourself out there and cold call people. Don't be afraid of rejection. Eventually, you'll find someone who will want to help you.

I think one of the biggest challenges is that the barriers to breaking into law are changing a lot. The LSAT has changed over the past few years, and applications and admissions have gotten way harder. So many more people are applying, and even now, there are schools I applied to that I still haven't heard from, and deposits were due weeks ago. It's very oversaturated. AI is also a factor - there will always be lawyers, even with AI, but there are changes to some of the first-year jobs that are happening, and the job market for summer internships in law school has become increasingly difficult, especially for bigger law firms. I'm gonna have to start applying to jobs in October for the next summer and the summer after, so it's just a lot of competition right now, and the timelines have gotten so moved up. On the opportunity side, I think interpersonal skills are becoming increasingly important, and personality matters, especially with summer internships being interviewed for before even your 1L grades come out sometimes. Networking and making connections can really get you places, and from all the attorneys I've talked to, that seems to be the biggest thing. Just staying true to yourself and being authentic, and really being good with other people and good at working with people has always been a huge part of being an attorney, but I think increasingly so. AI has also become a big thing, and we're already seeing tons of lawsuits surrounding AI in every area of law that's being litigated and policy being written on currently, so that's definitely gonna become even bigger in the coming years.

I think compassion is one of the things that I really value, and just putting myself in other people's shoes and considering the impacts that my actions have on other people. Looking out for the people around me, especially my friends and family, and making sure that I'm helping myself in my career and my academic goals, but also them as well, and just supporting them. I think it's really important to have a community and have people by your side. I think also just integrity and honesty are important things - not trying to sugarcoat things or hide things, just being an authentic person and being true to yourself. I'm a Christian, so my faith is super important, and those are all a part of that, and treating other people with respect.