Finding Your Voice: UCLI’s Fellowship Seminar #7
By: Ryan Calvert, LSAT Scholar
Edited by: Silvia Caballero, Intern
On Friday, August 14, 2026, UCLI held its seventh Pre-Law Fellowship Seminar at Parsons Behle & Latimer, who graciously welcomed us for the day. This seminar focused on personal statements, diversity statements, other application essays, and the law school admissions process.
Paula Gluzman from Spivey Consulting joined us for a detailed workshop and presentation on law school personal statements and other essays. Her presentation was full of valuable guidance on what these essays should look and sound like, with significant emphasis on dimension, authenticity, and strong writing. One message especially stood out: “Create an opportunity for them to connect with you.” Throughout the session, she emphasized the importance of essays that are not only well-written, but also authentic and reflective of your own voice.
Victoria Roberts, a 2024 UCLI Pre-Law Fellow, is now approaching her 2L year at the University of Kansas. She shared her law school journey and the personal statement she used to apply to law school. Victoria walked us through her writing process and what it was like working with Paula, from brainstorming to narrowing her ideas into a final direction. She also described how challenging it can be to revisit personal details within the story being told. Fellows saw the depth and vulnerability of her essay, and how Victoria shaped a difficult life experience into an opportunity to demonstrate how that experience would make her a better attorney.
Fellows then met with Paula, Victoria, and other attorneys currently working with Parsons Behle & Latimer, where they received constructive feedback on their personal statements and the opportunity to discuss their writing one-on-one.
Following lunch, Judge Augustus Chin graciously joined us to share his experience as a judge. A University of Utah graduate, he described his nontraditional path to law school, beginning at age thirty-two with two children. Judge Chin offered insightful advice on building a fulfilling legal career and serving as a judge. He shared how meaningful his experience as a law clerk for Judge Medley was. In that role, he felt honored to be placed in a position of trust, and it was there that he began his journey toward becoming a judge. Throughout his talk, Judge Chin highlighted qualities important to the legal profession, including respect, balancing ego, collegiality, and vicarious learning. As he plans to retire in six years, he was asked, “What do you want your legacy to be when you retire?” His answer was simple: “He was fair, he was honest, and he was a good judge.”
Last, but definitely not least, our final speaker of the day was Anthony Grover, the Dean of Admissions at BYU Law, where he also oversees the Trial Advocacy Program. The J. Reuben Clark School of Law is currently ranked No. 24 in the nation, and Dean Grover noted that BYU’s median LSAT and GPA have been steadily increasing. Dean Grover reviewed the admissions process and highlighted elements that are especially important to BYU, including the reality of “LSAT inflation.” He shared what can make an application stand out: academic excellence, strong letters of recommendation, character, and how an applicant will contribute to the law school community.
Current Fellows Asia Reid and Maximus Garcia-Olazabal brought a celebratory cake for everyone who took the August LSAT. Thank you to them, and congratulations, to everyone who took the test! It was a fitting way to end a day centered on the next steps toward law school. We also extend our thanks to the mentors, volunteers, presenters, and attorneys who made this seminar possible.
