Why Washburn Law: Sam Aaron, 1L

Sam is a current 1L from California. He tells us why he chose Washburn Law.Photograph: Samuel Aaron

Sometimes I wonder why I chose law school but, when it really came down to it, the law chose me. You see, I come from a long line of lawyers. My old man possesses two law degrees and his brother was an Assistant District Attorney in New York for thirty years before becoming a criminal defense attorney in Colorado. I also have several other relatives who used to be lawyers and judges. This made for a childhood steeped in stories and anecdotes about law cases and legal parlance. While other kids were dreaming of becoming astronauts and firefighters, I wanted nothing more than to be like my father. I was too young at the time to fully comprehend the hard work and dedication necessary for this career choice, but I knew that I wanted to pursue it.

Besides law, I have always had a deep interest in the study of history, which was my strongest subject in Prep School. It was no surprise that in 2013, I graduated with a history degree from California State University Northridge and was accepted as a member of the National History Honor Society. Like many of my peers I asked myself “what should I do with a B.A. in History?” Well, the obvious path for many of my classmates was graduate school. However, there was something about teaching history didn’t appear to be a suitable fit for me. That’s when I decided that history and law fit very well together.

The next big decision was where to enroll. I chose Washburn University School of Law for several reasons. I researched the school’s standing and notable alumni, its excellence in legal research, and its location in the heart of the U.S., within a state that has had an instrumental impact on our Country’s history: Bloody Kansas, John Brown, Brown vs. Board of Education, etc. Also, a strong factor was the economics of attending Washburn Law with its very favorable tuition and living costs compared to alternative schools. While I don’t mind graduating with school loan balance, other law schools would have left me with a much greater educational debt that would follow me for many years. Finally, and most importantly, the warmth and friendliness of the faculty and students I met during my initial visit made me feel very welcome and comfortable. In fact, I feel as if Kansas truly has an environment that is conducive to productivity and has an educational benefit. Topeka is a peaceful municipality with just enough diversity and hustle and bustle to have fun, but not to be distracted from the primary reason I am here: education.