Since my freshman year in high school, I knew I wanted to go to law school. I adored reading, writing, thinking critically, and making arguments; law school was the path for me. However, I understood that being Latina, my community is severely underrepresented in the field of law. I was worried about how to find connections within my desired career path. Through Cornell’s many cultural organizations and pre-professional organizations, I was able to achieve this community!

Cornell has many cultural organizations!

I wanted to find other Latino students on campus that I could relate to and form bonds with. Every fall, the Latino Living Center holds a Bienvenidos Barbecue, where you can meet a plethora of Latino organizations and their members. Here, I found community. Through that event, I was introduced to organizations like the Cornell Latinx Association of Pre-Law Students (CLAP), the Puerto Rican Student Association (PRSA), and other Latino affinity groups that quickly made such a big campus feel smaller. It was comforting to see students who look like me, share my culture, and who are navigating predominantly white spaces with the same ambition and resilience.  

Being able to exist in spaces where I didn’t have to explain myself was empowering. These organizations became places where I could celebrate my culture while also building lifelong friendships and professional networks. Cornell creates space for students to find community, connection, and a sense of belonging.

Cornell Latinx Association of Pre-Laws

CLAP perfectly merged my interests, connected my passion for law, and my desire for cultural community in a way I did not know I needed. Through attorney panels, LSAT workshops, law school admissions programming, and networking events, I gained practical tools to prepare for a legal career. At the same time, I found a space where I could openly discuss what it means to pursue law as a Latina in a field where we remain underrepresented.  

Here, I found collaboration, mentorship, and genuine support from other Latino pre-law students. Serving as president has allowed me to strengthen that support system for younger students, ensuring that they, too, feel empowered in pursuing law school. I want to give the same support I got from CLAP to current members and continue to grow the community we have created.

Pre-Law Organizations: Collaborative, not Competitive

When people think of pre-law students, they often imagine competition and intimidation. My experience has been the exact opposite. Through CLAP, I have connected not only with Latinx pre-law students but with the broader pre-law community at Cornell in ways that feel collaborative rather than competitive.

CLAP frequently partners with organizations like Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) and Black Ivy Pre-Law Society to host joint events, from professional development workshops to mixers. These collaborations have allowed me to build relationships with pre-law students across campus who share similar ambitions, even if we come from different backgrounds. Instead of guarding resources, we share LSAT advice, internship opportunities, and application tips. Instead of competing, we celebrate each other's success.

Through these partnerships, I have learned that the pre-law community at Cornell thrives on mutual support. We bond over our shared goals and create spaces where aspiring lawyers can connect long before law school even begins.

Although being pre-law is not easy, I have never felt like I had to navigate the journey alone at Cornell. As a Latina pursuing a career in law, finding spaces that affirm both my cultural identity and my professional ambitions has made all the difference. Cornell has shown me that ambition and community can coexist, and there is always a community for anyone. As I look toward law school, I am grateful for the Cornell community that has supported me every step of the way.