1L Reachelle Ramirez, CUNY John Jay ACE Program alum ’19 and Pre-Law Institute (PLI) member, reflects on applying to law school and starting and finishing her first semester during the pandemic.
What is the Pre-Law Institute, and how did both the PLI and associated mentorship help you apply to law school?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was 10 years old. I applied to John Jay having that goal in mind, but when I saw how many barriers there were between me and my dream, (e.g., the LSAT), I let it slowly die. It wasn’t until the end of my junior year, when I attended Mock Law School Class with the Pre-Law Institute (PLI) Director, Dr. Charles Davidson, that my spark reignited. I had never told anyone about by desire to go to law school, but, when I told Dr. Davidson, he said he saw “it” in me and told me to quickly make an appointment with him at PLI.
The Pre-Law Institute helps first-generation students like me through the law school application process by providing free LSAT, resume, and personal statement workshops. I took advantage of all the free resources and showed such potential that I was asked to write a thank you letter to the donors of the program. I was also a part of the first cohort of the ACE Program at John Jay. My advisor, Berlyn Morales-Witten, and the Founding Director, DeLandra Hunter, were also a huge part of my success, and I cannot thank them enough for encouraging and supporting me always. Having my PLI and ACE family (as well as my real one) was my biggest strength in going through this process. It truly takes a village.

Reachelle at the ACE Grad Party
During your applications, you began blogging your experiences and tips on Instagram via @CurlyLawtina. What inspired this initiative, and how does it help you as well as fellow aspiring lawyers-to-be?
As I began applying, I wondered how I could incorporate my Latinx identity in my application. I wanted law schools to see the diversity and perspective I could bring. I googled Latina lawyers and was devastated at the result. Less than 2% of all lawyers in the U.S. are Latina, and this shook me to my core. All I found were old YouTube videos and two Instagram accounts of Latinas who were already lawyers (which did help) but nothing about current Latina law students.
I decided to blog my journey. My boyfriend helped create my logo, and @CurlyLawtina was born. From studying for the LSAT to finishing my last final, my followers on @CurlyLawtina have been with me through my ups and downs. Having this page allows me to vent about my day and also lets others know how incredibly tiring, yet rewarding, this rigorous journey is. I have received countless messages from people letting me know how much they appreciate how raw and real I keep my posts and stories. I hope to inspire even just one person along my way and plan to expand my social media to help other aspiring lawyers!
You applied to and then got into 15 law schools! Why did you choose CUNY Law?
I applied to 15 schools to increase my chances of getting into law school, despite the aforementioned barriers. I did not expect acceptances from all 15! It was an incredible feeling.
I was stuck with the difficult choice of where to go. I began my due diligence and did more in- depth research of every school, narrowing my choices down to three schools. I set up appointments to visit all three schools, but the first two didn’t feel right. I was ready to visit CUNY Law, but the open house was cancelled on account of the pandemic. Shortly after, they began to do virtual open houses. I attended and was blown away by how attentive and generous Gayla Jacobson from Admissions was. Every question I asked was answered, and all my worries were assured. When CUNY Law sent an email cutting seat deposits, I knew this was the school for me, because this showed how they supported future students.

May 2019. John Jay Gradaution at Flushing Meadows Park
How have your experiences as a first-generation Latina woman affected and shaped your view of the law and the use of the law as a tool for change?
My experience has certainly affected the way I view the law. As someone who has personally been exposed to the legal system at such a young age, I know how daunting the experience can be and want to make sure that my future clients are well-prepared for what is to come.
I have also experienced first-hand how the law can be used to not only help, but also subordinate and push others down. I have experience working with marginalized youth, and I know how their socioeconomic situations can affect their access to adequate education and legal representation.
These problems often start in childhood. I dedicated my college years to helping NYC children learn to read. Literacy has a profound impact on a child’s future, and almost 2/3 of children living below the poverty line in NY can’t read at their intended level. Because of this, they are 13x less likely to graduate on time than their affluent peers. My passion for juvenile justice stems from this, and I want to be a family attorney who helps families of color with any barriers they might face along the way. My Latinx community is also affected everyday by immigration policies, and it’s only fair that we are the ones out there making the decisions and helping our people.
You started law school during the pandemic here in NYC. How have you managed to build a community here digitally, and how have you connected with your cohort?
I still can’t believe that I finished my first semester of law school during a pandemic! I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my study group. It was hard, but I did manage to make great friends along the way. We used different platforms, such as Whatsapp, Teams, and Cadence.
My group started with us sharing cat pictures. I sent a pic of my cat to the group, and one of my colleagues messaged me privately, and said it looked like her friend’s cat, and bam! My study group blossomed, as we each began inviting people we knew. Before I knew it, we were on Zoom together studying for quizzes and midterms and writing our memos. It has been amazing! They are truly great friends, and I cannot wait to actually meet them in person.
Have you noticed any pleasant surprises during your first semester of law school that you weren’t expecting, both as a 1L and as an extrovert studying virtually for your first year?
I did! I’m the front-row student who is always asking questions and keeping my classmates engaged. I realized quickly this would not be the case on Zoom. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the pure lecture format. It forced me to listen and take notes on anything important my professor said. I was also super nervous about the Socratic method of cold call answers, but also was pleasantly surprised that I liked this approach. I was always prepared, since I never knew when I was going to get called on to review the elements of a case, and that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved it!

Reachelle stands outside CUNY Law the day before remote law school begins
You just finished finals! How was that experience? Any tips for incoming students who are worried about finals during the pandemic?
The last two weeks of finals were definitely a whirlwind. I felt so unprepared and so unsure of myself, but I let it out, picked myself up, and dove into the work.
I began my outlines about 2-3 weeks into the semester and updated it every other week, so all I had to do was finish it up, then review and apply the doctrine I had learned.
All of my professors were super helpful and had plenty of office hours and practice tests to review. I planned which days I would study for which finals and gave my undivided attention to each subject, making sure to take snack and water breaks in-between. Living in a Hispanic household with many loud family members, I had to be strategic and plan my study time. My sweet spot was between 10pm-3am. It was nice and quiet, and I had my cat to stay up with me throughout the night. After I had finished all of my own studying, I made plans with my study group to do a huge, full-on review.
My best advice would be to get organized, plan ahead, and make sure to take breaks! I remember feeling guilty for watching Netflix, instead of practicing IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion), but after two hours of trying to figure out if there’s legal detriment in a promise, I needed to laugh for a bit!
We live in a society that upholds capitalist mythology equating your worth to your productivity. How do you balance this with the level of work that’s needed to succeed in law school?
I know plenty of people who have this capitalistic mindset, and I just don’t agree with it. Of course, hard work pays off, but your worth is not dependent on your productivity! You deserve to take breaks, relax and watch a movie, or dance, or enjoy a nice walk around the park. Being busy 24/7 doesn’t work.
Law school has tested my time-management skills. I succeeded by planning ahead. I blocked out times where it was just time to relax. I would plan dates with my boyfriend or girls’ night out with my best friends around my studying, always making sure that I got the readings done for class the next day. I also used the Pomodoro Technique. I would work for 25 minutes and then take 5- minute breaks (snack, bathroom, stretch), and then, on the 4th interval, it would be 15 minutes. This helped keep me from burning out, as my brain got frequent breaks. I was able to manage my hectic schedule and still have fun!

Reachelle’s study set-up
Law school is daunting even without the backdrop of the pandemic. What brings you joy, and how do you recharge so you don’t burn out?
Breaks are much needed. I love to dance, so Zumba keeps me moving, and it’s also a great workout. I plan my gym days and do strength training at least three times a week. My boyfriend and I take multiple brisk walks around the block and try to get in a few thousand steps a day. The most important thing is water!! I bought a 32 oz. water bottle when school started and try to drink 2 full bottles a day. Keep yourself hydrated, and, if you have to choose between studying and sleep, choose SLEEP! Your brain will not work if you do not sleep. I need to have at least seven hours of sleep or I’m a zombie. Try to take power naps (15-20 minutes), if you really can’t make the time. Do make sure to take time to hang out with your loved ones. Sometimes, it’s nice not to talk about classification-based claims under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Do you have any advice for prospective students exploring the possibility of attending law school who have multiple barriers stacked against them?
Yes, please keep going! The legal system needs you! Your future clients need you! I know what it’s like to feel the odds are all the against you. I totally gave up on my dream for some time, but I am so glad to be here now. Trust the process, and make sure to reach out if you need help. There are tons of free resources out there, so make sure to take advantage. There are resources for the LSAT, resume, and personal statement workshops and tons of law students/lawyers ready to lend you a hand, if you need it.
My biggest tips are: Save up some money. Not only is law school expensive, but the process to get there is as well. I would put away $10 a week into my savings account, specifically for law school, because it gets expensive! Make sure to ask for fee waivers whenever you can. Lastly, ASK FOR HELP. You got this. I can’t wait to see you on the other side (of the Bar Exam)!
You can reach out to Reachelle at :
Facebook: Reachelle Ramirez
IG: @xreachellex @CurlyLawtina
Twitter: @Reachelle17
Email: reachelle.ramirez@live.law.cuny.edu
LinkedIn: Reachelle Ramirez