So now I am over the crazy part of applications and doing a few things. I wish I made youtube videos, but that would be a big waste of my time. But to alert you, dear readers, my law school application process is far from over.

I have applied to 20 schools, and I receive snail mail from several schools quite often, sometimes with an offer for a fee waiver. I am also looking for jobs that will help me weather the financial pain of applications, especially since I just told my Ate, like a little kid complaining of a tummyache, "but my wallet hurts!"

I have had moments where the anticipation just kills. You can see me doubling over or jumping deliriously in front of my mailbox quite often (or if you can't literally see me, you can imagine it, almost too easily).

The other day I got a small envelope from Loyola Law School, and I thought, "oh God, a rejection letter already?" But upon opening it, it's just them wasting paper to tell me that they received my application, and that they've given me a tracking number that will become my student ID if I become a student at their school. Yes, I doubled over...from relief.

Then the other day I got a big envelope from Thomas Jefferson, and it was a brochure and an inviation via fee waiver to apply. It's in California, why not? I will apply to you if you appear to be financially generous. You will be participants in a bidding war for me *tents fingers*

But please, stay tuned, I'll most likely be receving letters in January!


Coming up on The Scholars: The Law School Edition featuring Dawn

Applications to waiver schools
Financial Aid
Dawn's Haggle Wars with Financial Aid packages
Out of State?????

And stay tuned for the final episode where YOU can be invited to Dawn's party on "The Scholars: Law School Edition"

I'm not going to delve into the usual, "who will you vote for president?" Rather, I'm more concerned about the other people that are up for election, like Congress and the judges.

Congress is elected by district, so they are more likely to be the one who should hear your personal concerns about society. They vote more often on issues than you as a voter ever will. And they can start things and make things happen in ways you couldn't imagine. They can introduce a bill that can become a law that works for you. But if you vote for somebody insensitive to your issues, then the exact opposite can happen.

But one thing that I've only recently began to be serious about is voting for judges. Most of the time, judicial candidates run unopposed. This year, on my ballot, 4 offices are open, and each candidate is running against somebody else. Some of them have their own webpages, and for the most part, there's a "fast facts" type website that lists the basic things about them. Granted they're different facts that you can't exactly compare side-by-side with all the other judicial candidates, it's still informative. Here's a kicker though: all of them bring the same promises. Nearly all of them say, "I will be even-handed and fair in all my decisions." And chances are, they're all competent in their own way. What do you look for?

You look for their advocacy efforts and see if they fall in line with what you want. If you want somebody that focuses on gangs, vote for the criminal gang prosecutor. If you want somebody with judicial experience, find somebody who's got a stellar record based on how many of their previous decisions were not overturned. You have to dig for their special interests and discern whether or not they're more likely to be on your side. Who knows, maybe one day you'll have to stand before them for something.

I know for me, I think about going down their roads some day...I would want somebody to vote based on what I've aligned my career with since college. Besides, becoming a judge is a huge, huge thing!

So get out there and vote. Congress and your district judges are your most palpable futures!

So my parents were contemplating their future, and the subject of dual citizenship came up. Dad's all gung-ho about it while my mom pulls back the reins and begs him to think of the implications of dual citizenship.

Mom: Think about it daddy, what happens if they tax all of your land from both countries?
Dad: You know, Israelis are dual citizens.
Mom: There are things to think about, you just don't sign up for it and get excited.
Dad: That's true.
Mom: Why don't you ask your cousin? He's a dual citizen.
Me: Better yet, why don't you wait for me to be an attorney so I can give you the best advice on that?
Dad: That's what I'm saying! *high fives me*

I'm so used to thinking that my dad believes that all lawyers are liars...until you actually need them. Hah. Times like this remind me that I've got more than enough people believing that I can do it, and that I just have to believe in myself.