How Studying with CEA CAPA in Washington, D.C. Helped Me “Get Back on the Track”
From Eastern Washington to Washington, D.C. — Why Did I Seek Out Lex?
Being a first-generation pre-law student is hard. I live with the expectations others set for me when they ask my major and I say, “Law and Policy.” I am familiar with the response, “What are you planning to do with that?” I live with the expectations I set for myself: balancing my schoolwork, maintaining a high GPA, and actively studying for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). I do all of this as a non-traditional online student who transferred from her local community college with an associate’s degree in general studies. Even after selecting the pre-law track for my bachelor’s degree program, however, I was still not sure if I wanted to go to law school.
I remember feeling pretty lonely and nervous, all things considered, during that first year of starting my bachelor’s degree. Living in eastern Washington and attending an online university whose campus is based on the other side of the country can be pretty isolating if you let it be. Combine that with picking what might be considered a “more challenging” major, and you have set yourself up for days when it feels as though you are constantly running on a track with hurdles everywhere you go (and trust me, that’s especially terrifying when you’re not a runner). But here’s the trick: you cannot let what makes you nervous make you stop moving.
That’s what I learned when I knew I needed to find something (anything) that would help give me insight and clarity for my future as a potential legal professional. I knew I found it when I discovered the Lex Fellowship program.
What is The Lex Fellowship Program, & Why is it Important?
The Lex Fellowship is a pre-law immersion program that is designed to provide clarity and mentorship to students who are interested in the law. In addition, Lex is a great networking opportunity, providing both mentorship and fellowship (or as my city manager liked to say “circle of trust”), to the students who apply and are selected for the program. Lex is offered in many different locations, both inside and outside of the United States, and provides an array of program lengths from which to choose, helping students find the right program and location for them.
I studied with Lex during June of 2026, in Washington, D.C. Being in D.C. during the summer of America’s two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of independence was an incredible experience. Although I had been to D.C. before, it had been nearly a decade since my previous visit, and I was still just as in awe of the city as I had been during my first visit. Being in our nation’s capital and studying our justice system changed something in me educationally and helped me envision myself playing an active role in the legal profession.
Me standing outside of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Going into my program, I felt very well prepared by the staff who had worked with me throughout my enrollment and acceptance process, but I truly didn’t know what to expect until I arrived. Again, I don’t have a very large in-person community holding my hand and guiding me through the pre-law process, so even some of the general law-school-related vocabulary is still unfamiliar to me. Once I settled in, however, I surprised myself with how comfortable and even confident I felt while working with my cohort through different simulated legal situations and environments.
Me outside of the United States Capitol Building.
Everyone on your program truly wants to see you succeed. From your city manager and your legal advisor to your cohort and the lawyers with whom you interact, the world of law itself is, honestly, tight-knit. There was never a moment when I did not feel supported and encouraged by those around me. My cohort and I found ourselves in an environment where we were going to be pushed and tested, but there was no fear of failure because every question and answer was treated as valuable.
My cohort and I participating in a simulated legal discussion.
What Did I Learn and Take Away From My Program?
Through this experience, and the environment it provided, I realized that I love law. I do not merely like it or find it mildly interesting. Rather, I believe it is a beautiful way for someone to come alongside an individual with an issue or problem and say, “Hey, I see you. I’m here. I have created this space for you where no question, no concern, is silly or dumb, and I want to see you succeed.”
Many people, myself included, do not fully understand what it means to practice law, and participate in the justice system. Quite frankly, I do not think it is something you can simply read about and fully understand. Instead, I believe that, to understand what the law is, how it works, and how it affects others, you really have to not just observe it, but interact with it. I would not have had the chance to do that without the Lex Fellowship program. The law, and even law school as a possible next step, would have continued to feel far beyond my reach and capabilities.
After completing the Lex Fellowship program, the legal profession feels more tangible than ever. I have also developed confidence in myself and in my ability to pursue this career path with integrity, honor, and grace. I hope to extend that grace not only to those whom I will interact with in the future, but also to myself as I continue to learn, grow, and develop into the legal professional I aspire to become.
Giving my final project presentation at the end of my program.
What is My Encouragement to Others Who Are Feeling “Stuck” or “Lost” Educationally?
So, what do you do? You take the hurdles in stride. Sure, you might fail to clear a couple, but you get back up and keep going. Take them one by one, and remember to pause, regroup, and breathe through all the different aspects of life that come down the pike as you continue forward. Do not let the fear of the unknown stop you from exploring and experiencing the joy and growth that accompany it. When you have the desire or inclination to start something, start it well. Set yourself up not only for success, but also the opportunity to learn more about yourself and the people you want to help and inspire.
The Lex Fellowship Washington, D.C. cohort and some of the professionals who aided us during our program.
If you feel like you are lost or stuck educationally, as though you are simply going through the motions without a clear direction, search for something to bring you back onto the track. Locate the hurdles and find your stride. Perhaps you need to step outside your bubble and enter a new environment, allowing yourself to tap into undiscovered confidence or passion. Maybe you need to find a new group of people who challenge your way of thinking and require you to expand your mind or perception of the world. Or maybe you should apply to that study-abroad program, the one that has been in your iPhone search history for the last year while you have wondered, “Maybe this will help me get some clarity?” It just might! Because the Lex Fellowship program helped me realize that while I may never be a runner, I can’t wait to be a lawyer!