C. David Molina First Generation Professionals Program

At USC Gould, we know that FGP students face special hurdles in the law school assimilation process. The study and practice of law demand certain lifestyle and perspective changes. The time and intensity of focus required to achieve mastery of the law is daunting.

Many of the changes you experience may initially isolate you from your community of family and friends at a time when support is needed most. For example, you may have to cope with pressure to spend more time attending to family commitments at the same time that law school and professional life are making more demands on your time. You may also find that your voice or perspective is changing in ways that make it harder to relate to some of your community members and, additionally, you may experience some ambivalence about the study of law.

Finally, you may face economic pressures that are difficult to talk about with others who have not experienced the same kind of financial anxiety. Student-peer networks and alumni support networks can play a key role for you as you deal with the pressure of being a law student and a young professional. We see your perspective as a source of strength that, properly supported, can provide valuable insight into what it means to ethically practice law and what is required to allow the law to achieve its full social justice potential.