BAILEY G. SMITH

As I come to the end of my undergraduate experience at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), the next chapter of my life is on the horizon. After having completed a double major in Global Studies and Language, Culture & Society with a minor in Professional Writing: Civic Engagement, I aspire to be a law student at the start of Fall 2019. This goal is based on a culmination of my life experiences, both growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attending UCSB.

Being raised in the East Bay Area exposed me to a vibrant, diverse culture based on acceptance and social justice. This environment spurred my passion for helping others in the local community. At a university level, this passion brought me to my current job as a peer tutor at UCSB’s Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS). This on-campus tutoring service allows me to help students, both national and international, with their written assignments across a wide range of disciplines. During a tutoring session, I engage in interpersonal interactions in which I acquire knowledge about the student and their writing goals – carefully guiding the student in reaching their desired outcome.

Ultimately, my passion for helping others has led to my aspiration to attend law school. Interning at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse with Superior Court Judge James Herman has been an illuminating experience and has continued to foster my desire to attend law school. I have witnessed trials that have altered previous opinions I once held about the legal field. For example, in a sentencing for a gang rape case, I witnessed emotional statements from both the prosecuting attorney as well as the judge. I had always thought that one had to be unfeeling with regard to the implementation of the law. After the sentencing, I spoke with Judge Herman and he provided me with one of my biggest takeaways from this internship; we, as human beings, are influenced by our life experiences, all of which have relevance to the study and practice of law.

My background and my contextual opinions have culminated in my pursuance of a law degree. I have always had an affinity for helping others, and this passion could have led me in a variety of directions. However, my experiences at UCSB both in my major and my professional experience showed me that my path is law school, making a tangible impact in the community and ensuring citizens receive the justice they deserve.