Senior Jessica Barnes had quite a decision to make after applying to six law schools and getting accepted to all six.
“I’m pretty excited about it. I didn’t expect to go six for six,” she said.
Her options: Capital University Law School, Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Duquesne University School of Law, Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Vermont Law School and the Widener University Commonwealth Law School.
Faced with the enviable position of having to choose between six quality schools, she visited two of them, then turned to the same trusted method she used when she selected Heidelberg four years ago: the feel of the campus and professors who connected with her right away.
The school she selected “just has that same familiar feeling.” One of the schools was close to home, which was tempting, but Jessica decided to branch out, go somewhere new and grow her network.
With a double major in environmental science and business administration, she plans to pursue environmental/energy law. She was inspired by a summer study program at the University of Toledo’s Lake Erie Center, where she explored issues surrounding the lake environment, such as algal blooms.
Although the three-month application process was daunting, Jessica had help along the way. She’s grateful to Mark McKee, director of career development and placement, for his assistance and encouragement, and to faculty members who wrote letters of recommendation.
She also had a great sounding board who went through the same process not long ago. Janelle Wendorf, ’15, recently graduated from Elon University School of Law and is awaiting her results of the Arizona bar exam.
“She was a great mentor and my rock, answering all my questions about the process,” Jessica said.
Standing on her strong Heidelberg foundation, she feels well prepared by all of the writing and research she’s done. “I know how to be challenged. I’m ready to use the skills I’ve acquired here.”
Now that her decision has been made, she feels a sense of calm anticipation.
“I’m really excited to get into it and focus on doing well. I’ll explore the possibility of externships and fellowships, and figure out where I want to be,” she said.
And the winner is … Duquesne University School of Law.