Preparing for Law School at Grinnell
Grinnell alumna learned to ‘think like a lawyer.’
Meghna Adhikari ’24 came to Grinnell hoping to explore her options before committing to a career path.
“I was looking for a liberal arts experience, and Grinnell felt like the perfect place for it,” says Adhikari, who is now studying at Harvard Law School.
“Learning alongside a diverse group of peers and having the freedom to pursue different combinations of interests academically was important,” she says. “Grinnell promised — and ended up delivering — both.”
Self-Exploration
Adhikari came to Grinnell from her home in Kathmandu, Nepal. As a first-year student, Adhikari thought she might be interested in studying law after graduation, but she wasn’t sure yet.
So, Adhikari put her curiosity to work, exploring many different academic areas. She chose to major in sociology and English, with a concentration in peace and conflict studies.
But she didn’t stop there. Adhikari built a diverse skillset beyond her majors by taking classes in data science; mathematics; history; and gender, women’s and sexuality studies. She competed in pitch competitions, served on Student Educational Policy Committees (SEPCs), and participated in legal seminars through the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership.
This wide-ranging self-exploration helped prepare her to become a better lawyer and a more responsible political actor, Adhikari says. “Getting to know myself in this way at a time as formative as college supplemented my personal growth and set me up to be true to myself in making career decisions.”
Mentors
Adhikari says she was able to connect with faculty mentors, especially Professor Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant, Professor Sharon Quinsaat, Director of Academic Support for Writing and Speaking Tisha Turk, and Professor John Garrison. Grinnell’s small classes, course-embedded travel, and research offered many opportunities for close interactions with her mentors, who provided her with meaningful, ongoing support and guidance.
Adhikari also benefitted from participation in the Government, Law, and Policy Career Community, facilitated by Gracie Brandsgard at the Center for Careers, Life, and Service.
“Gracie was especially helpful to me during my law school application process,” Adhikari says. Grinnell alumni working in the legal field were also helpful, especially when she was applying to law schools. She spoke with Grinnell alumni at top law schools around the country; they gave her important insights to help choose the right law school and create a strong application.
With funding from the Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations, and Human Rights, Adhikari completed a 10-week fellowship with Chief Judge Kimberley Mueller of the U.S. District Court from the Eastern District of California.
Adhikari rotated through five two-week assignments and observed court proceedings, including civil, criminal, and bankruptcy matters. Adhikari also shadowed officials to develop an understanding of the federal judiciary, collaborated on projects with a wide range of judges and staff, and helped with special events and community outreach.
Adhikari says this experience helped jumpstart her legal career.
So Many Options
Adhikari is still exploring the many career options a law degree opens up. “My end goal is to be satisfied and be able to derive meaning from the work I am doing,” Adhikari says. “I feel reassured, knowing I have the training through my time at Grinnell and Harvard Law School as well as early career opportunities, to excel at various points of my career trajectory.”
Adhikari says she would encourage other students interested in a career as an attorney to consider Grinnell College for their undergraduate degree. “It prepares you for the type of thinking that is valued at law school,” she says. “Many classes at Grinnell are taught to encourage critical thought and logical problem-solving. Considering the same problem from different academic disciplines gives you a headstart to what they call ‘thinking like a lawyer.’”