My Law School Personal Statement
Tears gush from his eyes as he reflects on what just transpired. His mind is working overtime as he considers running away, and worst, suicide. He did something childish, but he is only seven. He had been sent to the store to purchase cooking oil. Excited that he would be getting fried dumplings for breakfast, he raced away, grabbing the closest bottle he could find. After his purchase, he realized that the bottle had no cap, so he held it carefully as he hurried home ensuring that none of its contents would spill. His reward: a brutal blow to the face with his stepfather’s machete. The explanation: he acted stupidly, or “fool fool” as we say in our native tongue.
I was that child. This was not an isolated case of abuse. My mother, a poor, semiliterate, twenty-five year old, tried to intervene, but was silenced by her lover. I watched while he beat her; I thought it “normal” for a man to beat his woman. It was “discipline”. This is the reality of the impoverished in several of Jamaica’s rural communities.
Highgate, where I spent most of my youth, is a small, poor agrarian community in southeast Jamaica. When I lived there, most adults were farmers, laborers or unemployed. Opportunities were limited. After several unsuccessful attempts to run away from a lifestyle that I came to dread, I decided to accept my reality. Though I was always at the top of my primary school class, and passed my Common Entrance Examination at the age of nine – two years younger than the average age – I recognized that I would just have to make the best of what little Highgate had to offer. Maybe I could become a mechanic or a policeman. Then high school happened.
After a year at St. Mary’s High School, my grades began to plummet because I could not balance the pressures at home with high school’s new challenges. I was doing so poorly that it caught the attention of my father, who had played no role in my life up to this point. He arranged for me to live with my grandmother in Portland so I could attend the more prestigious Titchfield High. Many hours were spent telling us about the rich history of the school, and that we were the future leaders in training. This new environment allowed me to graduate from high school with good grades. I began to feel like I could be someone.
Portland is one of the most aesthetically beautiful places to live, but it did not present many socioeconomic opportunities for me. I went to live with my father and work in Kingston when I was sixteen. Four years later, in 2002, I became producer and host of “Positive Vibes” on Roots FM. Each week I had a guest who had succeeded despite significant odds. The program was not only therapeutic for me as the host, but also benefitted the listeners who were largely residents of some of Jamaica’s toughest inner-city communities.
While walking to a radiator shop in May 2003, at 21 years old, I was hit by a reckless driver, resulting in a ruptured spleen, and broken left ankle. The long recovery which ensued allowed me to reflect on the fragility of life and the need to more aggressively pursue my goals. Following my recovery, I focused my energies on organizing several philanthropic projects.
My work in depressed communities, and my own experiences made me sensitive to the many brilliant Jamaican students who go to school each day on an empty stomach. I started the “We-Care; Adopt a Child” project to help address this problem. This program uses contributions from my fellow employees at Jamaica’s National Housing Trust to provide meals, transportation and clothing to high school students. The students’ stories were shocking to my colleagues, but brought back memories of me sharing one bed with my mother, my sister, my step-father and his brother.
After hurricane Ivan struck in 2004, I organized these same co-workers to contribute food, clothing and money. Through these efforts, we delivered a truckload of supplies to the Red Cross. My managers were very impressed with my organizational skills and it was not uncommon for me to be left in charge of a department with over twenty staff members.
Dr. Vincent George, a director at Jamaica’s National Housing Trust, defines excellence as “exceeding expectations”. His insight further inspired me to exceed the limitations of my socioeconomic situation. Armed with renewed confidence and a desire for excellence, I applied and was accepted into Monroe College. A cousin in New York agreed to pay for my first semester, and college soccer ensured that I had books and at least one meal per day. After my first semester I conceptualized and formed the Pre Law Society at the college. The constitution we drafted for this organization has become the standard for new clubs on campus. My hard work was recognized by the legal community when the New Rochelle Bar Association awarded me a scholarship in early 2007 to complete my undergraduate studies.
My college career did not stop at soccer and law. I founded the colleges Debate Team and I was an active member and Project Manager in my school’s chapter of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE). One of my proudest moments was helping my school become SIFE regional champions after a competition in Philadelphia. Not only will I be the first person in my mother’s family to complete a Bachelor’s degree, but I will be one of the few athletes to graduate with a 4.0 GPA.
I seek no pity for the misfortunes of my childhood, in fact, I am thankful for them. Someone once told me how pearls are formed: a grain of sand enters the shell of a clam causing irritation. The clam releases a chemical as a defense mechanism, and after many years, a pearl is formed. The moral: Beauty sometimes comes out of discomfort.
I am a product of my upbringing. Overcoming my past has given me a greater appreciation of the present. Challenges do not phase me, I embrace them, knowing that a pearl awaits. My lack of opportunities as a child has taught me to take full advantage of those presented to me, and when admitted to __________________________, I intend to do the same.
I was successful in using this personal statement to land a seat in several law schools. Excerpts from it will be used for a book I will be working on over the next few summers.
hey u have come a VERY LONG way man… i am truly proud of u as a Jamaican n ur friend. i really hope u achieve ur goals
Mr. Newell you are really an inspiration to others and testament that a little determination can go a long way in the pursuit of our goals.
I never had it as rough as you sir but I’ve been through my fair share of troubles.
Nuff respect boss.
Hope you achieve those goals you have set.
Hey Omar,
Well honestly I am very impressed and touched by what I’ve just read here. I would have never guessed you have been through all of this, probably because of the way you’re always so confident and focused. I just want to wish you success, and I am positive that you will achieve all your goals. Keep on striving for the best, and good luck to you. Very impressive for a man your age. Hopefully I can be half as good as you.
Take care,
Tamicks!
Wow, wow, Omar..Like everybody else’s comment I have to say that I would never think that the boy in the story is you. You seem so far from that. The way you start out by no means determines your finish!! Now you’ve given me an idea. For a while now i’ve been looking for a way to showcase my poetry so i may emulate you and start a poetry blog!!!
Keep doing what you do
I’m at a lost for words, however, you’ve managed to rise above all these events in your life and you are now soaring towards greatness. I have no doubt in my mind that you would do exceptionally well at Law school, whichever one that you go to. You are truly an inspiration towards many. I know what its like to experience tragic events, however we must not let it define who we are but rather rise above it.
Carina
P.S just a little quote that has stuck with me for years now…”Heights of great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards through the night”
yow omar, proud of you star. we all go through all these tragic situations as young ones growing up in poverty but inevitably we are always the better for it. im glad to personally witness you go through the process of seeing you overcome;it is truly a beautiful thing. you can count on me to be there celebrating the victory lap with you at the end of this law school journey. i am really proud to be your friend and your brother. likkle more mi yute…bless!!
Omar this is truly an inspriring story, you are a very smart, intelliginet, and driven individual and I know for a fact you well make a spectacular Lawyer. All I can say is…you go boy. Keep up the great work and you make me proud.
Jodi Simmonds – fellow Monroe schoolmate class of 2007
well done sir… It is very good when people remember where they came from as it helps put in perspective where they are going. Great places is where you will be going with the focus you have, i am proud of you continue to do well
Now I kinda understand why you didn’t like St. Mary. I am disappointed though because I thought I was your friend and you never shared any of this with me but it is understandable. Overall, I am sorry that it was so hard on you and that you didn’t run away. I would have never know you. Thanks to my matchmaking Great grandma Mrs. Willel Wilson DIxon, I met you and love you. Take care.
Tears came to my eyes as I read your personal statement. I too was raised in St. Mary, and I went to Titchfield for a year before migrating to the U.S….I love your paragraph about the pearls. I’ll be starting law school in a few days and was truly inspired by your statement!
Are you a writer? Do you write for any other blogs? Nicely done, Steven.
Omar welll done to you, you have come a long way I would never have guess that you went through all that. Keep up the good work and continue to be a shining star.
Antonette