Ariana Romeo
Tohono O’odham Nation
Stanford Law School , JD Candidate ’26
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’23
Pathway to Law participant ’21

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
My experiences working in Indian Affairs policy inspired me to apply to law school but at the time, I was going to be the first in my family to do so. Since I had no idea where to begin, I applied to the PTL Workshop after hearing about the program from other Native professionals I had worked with––and I’m so glad that I did. The Workshop not only provided me with a detailed overview of the admissions process, but it also connected me with supportive mentors and supplied me with the LSAT training I needed to feel confident on my test day.

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc.) and why?
The Workshop truly informed every aspect of my law school application. I applied to the Workshop with a draft personal statement and worked on it with my admissions mentor to turn it into a stronger, more compelling version. Since these statements can be highly personal, I appreciated the opportunity to receive feedback from someone who could relate to Native students and the difficult themes they might write about. I also followed the Workshop’s admissions strategy, which encourages applicants to get their materials in early and to work from a list of schools that they help you compile––this proved successful, and I wouldn’t have known to do this if I hadn’t attended the Workshop. And finally, the Workshop’s LSAT prep course was a lasting form of generosity that I wasn’t expecting. As someone who hadn’t taken a test in years, I needed all the support I could get. 

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
The Workshop is structured for students or professionals who are considering law school but are not sure what it entails or how to get there. Even if you’re on the fence about law school, do not hesitate to apply. The Workshop helps you figure out if this is a professional path you want to commit yourself to and provides the resources you need to feel informed about the application cycle. And since it’s free to attend, you will regret not going!

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Apply! And once you’re in, don’t be afraid to ask questions or get to know those involved in the program. You’d be shocked by how many other applicants have “insider” knowledge of admissions process, and this Workshop places you on a level playing field. Even if you finish the Workshop and decide law school isn’t for you, it’s still another great program for Native networking.

Read more success stories: From participants to mentors: Pathway to Law ambassadors give back

Submit your application by March 16: law.asu.edu/pathwaytolaw