To start off, say a little about yourself, your interests, undergraduate degree and what you are doing now. “Hello! My name is Grace Mangusso and I’m from Quispamsis, NB. I graduated from UNB Fredericton in 2019 with a Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies and a minor in Business Administration. Currently, I’m studying at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS.”

What are your best survival tips for undergrad to succeed? 

1. “Listen to your body and brain! If you’re tired, go to sleep. If you’re feeling stiff, go for a walk. If you can’t focus, try yoga or meditation. Investing in yourself will never be time wasted. Learn to identify the differences between physical and mental exhaustion and take care of yourself accordingly!

2. Use your time effectively. There’s no point spending eight hours at the library if you’re only being productive for two. Figure out what locations, times of day, and strategies lead to the most effective use of your time and stick to them. This will help you work smarter, and will result in outcomes that are more closely aligned with your input.  

3. Find an outlet and give yourself time to devote to it. There’s so much pressure to be involved in extra-curricular activities, work, and/or volunteering – all on top of school! With so many competing interests and obligations, it’s important to dedicate time to things that serve no other purpose aside from making you feel happy and fulfilled.

Was it always your goal to pursue law school or was there an event or organization that helped determine this for you? “I knew quite early on that I wanted to pursue law school, but completing my undergrad at Renaissance College really solidified that for me. Our laws govern everything we do, and they form the structures and authorities that shape our collective life. I often find myself feeling disappointed and frustrated with the social and political state of our world, but there’s power within the law to overcome that. A law degree gives you the knowledge, tools, and network you need to make meaningful and actionable change at a high level.”

Was it a daunting experience to decide to pursue law school? “Absolutely! But it doesn’t need to be. I’m the first member of my family to attend law school, which made navigating the application process quite intimidating. I definitely felt the impacts of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. There are many barriers to accessing a legal education, whether it be the time needed to invest in writing the LSAT, the expense of the application process, or the information capital associated with knowing someone in the field. If you’re thinking about applying to law school, just know that you’re exactly where you need to be and fully capable of getting where you want to go! My best advice would be to make your own plan and don’t worry about what others are doing or saying. There’s a lot of noise out there about preparing your application, writing the LSAT, and choosing a law school. Be selective and intentional about who you share information with and solicit advice from. It’s tempting to fall into the endless void of opinions, but this is your journey and no one else’s.”

Would there be anything you would have done differently during undergrad to better your chances of being accepted into your program? “When I reflect back on my undergrad, I often think about how I would do everything the exact same if I had the chance to. The most important thing you can do for yourself is make decisions based on what you like doing and what makes you excited to wake up in the morning. It’s much easier to teach someone skills and competencies than it is to teach them to care about something. If you’re passionate about what you’re doing, that will always shine through and be more important than any resume-builder.”

Grace can be reached at grace.mangusso@gmail.com for further questions.