It wasn't until I sat down to write this essay that I realized I was a direct reflection of her, my grandmother of course. She was a woman devoted to her family, her work and her community. Everyone who knew her would describe her as compassionate, hard-working and goal-oriented. My most recent academic and community accomplishments indicate that, like my grandmother, I possess these same qualities. During my senior year of high school, I received the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship and was accepted to my future alma mater, Howard University. In those days, it was not uncommon for my grandmother to brag to the grocery store cashier, the bank teller, or anyone who would listen that her granddaughter had received a full scholarship and was attending college. Harvard University. Each time, I smiled and politely corrected her, saying, “Grandma, I’m going to Howard, not Harvard.” She and everyone she talked to would just protest that no matter what HU I went to, they were proud of me regardless. From that moment on, I vowed to continue to serve as an inspiration to the many members of my community who had never left the small town of Durham, North Carolina, and yet had received an education on their own superior. I have since exceeded my own expectations of the things I would achieve during my academic tenure. Traveling abroad, serving as a member of Americorps, interning for my United States Senator, and joining distinguished organizations are the culmination of some of my successes. My grandmother has been an inspiration in every aspect of my life. Although she never attended college, she encouraged me to practice law. I vividly remember watching reality TV shows with her after school. My grandmother truly believed that one day I would be a powerful judge of...... middle of paper...... academic career. I look forward to being part of a learning community that challenges me academically and provides me with real-world experiences. Harvard Law offers its students the unique opportunity to receive a top-notch education while participating in a variety of hands-on clinical and pro bono programs. My performance in and out of class reflects my strong chances of succeeding in this type of learning environment. Harvard would benefit greatly from adding a student of my background and potential to this new class. I have unique life experiences that will enhance classroom conversations and transform my peers into future legal professionals. In high school, I always thought my grandmother was making a mistake when she told others that I was going to attend Harvard; however, in reality, she knew my potential and was talking about my future..