A Pathway to Law School: SAC Alumna Jariah Moore's Journey to Chapman Law School
Santa Ana College (SAC) alumna and recent UCLA graduate Jariah Moore is ecstatic to start her first semester at Chapman University's Fowler School of Law in August 2024. Moore was a dual-enrolled high school student at SAC, simultaneously taking free college-level courses as a cost-effective way to accelerate her education.
At just 21 years old, Moore will enter law school and credits the support of SAC's Pathway to Law School program–a unique program and curriculum that provides early exposure to the legal field, resources to apply to law schools, and course credits guaranteed to transfer to certain California law schools.
Moore did not always know she wanted to pursue law. She was a participant of SAC's Honors Program, enjoyed reading and writing with English as her strongest subject, and was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, SAC's Honor Society for the top 10 percent of students. Her priority was to look for a way to leverage her skills and passion into a meaningful career.
While Moore was taking a rigorous British Literature course, the late SAC Professor Kathy Patterson observed Moore's strong work ethic and bright spirit. She encouraged her to push her academic capabilities and explore law as a career – especially since SAC had resources available to support her.
Pathway to Law School Program Experience
During the Pathway to Law School Program, “Introduction to Legal Ethics" was the course that sparked her curiosity to explore the applications of law across various disciplines.
“Exposure to things like legal ethics isn't something that I could have really learned on my own," Moore reflected. “I appreciated that opportunity to get a little glimpse during community college."
Moore also noted how special it was to learn from legal professionals. She enjoyed learning from practicing attorneys and SAC Professor Kai Williamson, a paralegal who represented alternative legal careers.
Through SAC's Pathway to Law School program, Moore received individual advising and mentoring from law school advisors, financial aid counseling, and LSAT preparation – all of which were imperative to her future law school applications and journey to graduate school.
In retrospect, she is thankful for the support of Professor Patterson and opportunities she was afforded through SAC.
“That support was part of what built my confidence to be able to take on this kind of challenge," Moore said.
After completing the Pathway to Law program at SAC, Moore transferred to UCLA and majored in English. When it was time to apply to law schools, Moore was offered waivers for her law school applications – another benefit of the Pathways to Law School program during her time at SAC.
“It was great to have that out of the way," Moore explained. “It helped with applying to as many schools as possible because that is a significant part of the admissions process for law school."
Jariah Moore at her UCLA graduation ceremony
Aspirations for the Future
At the end of August of 2024, Moore will enter her first year at Chapman University's Fowler School of Law, where she was awarded a scholarship for tuition and a stipend. She is interested in social justice and civil rights law, although she plans to keep her options open.
“Growing up as a Black woman, I'm aware of the injustices and daily realities my community faces," Moore shared.
While at UCLA, she studied postcolonial literature authored by those who wanted to dismantle colonialism, rethink history, and reclaim agency of colonized peoples. This ultimately piqued her interest in civil rights law and inspired her research and senior thesis – a critical analysis of the racialization of Black characters in cartoons and animation.
After reminiscing on everything that's led to this moment so far, she attributes part of her success to the educational rigor and support she gained at SAC.
“If you're in community college, interested in college – even if you aren't aiming for law, I encourage people to aim as high as they can," she said. “Shoot as high as you can. You might surprise yourself with what you're capable of."
