Maria Bello

As my junior year of college comes to an end, I can’t help but wonder how I managed to push through all the obstacles life has thrown my way. I then recall the support I have received from my amazing mentoring team. With this group of legal professionals, I have been able to discuss the stresses of life and the things that make me struggle to keep going. My team has become more than just people I discuss my future legal career with; they are people who listen to me and care for my well-being before anything else. At times when I found myself worried about summer internships, courses, or extracurricular activities, my mentors have been there to share their experiences and thoughts, which consistently help with my worries. My mentors have been the most important part of Law School… Yes We Can! and have been able to help me both professionally and personally. 

This past year has been full of new experiences and knowledge. In the fall of 2024, I was fortunate to study in Washington, D.C, for the semester, which allowed me to intern with a criminal defense attorney in the city. Through this experience alone, I gained insight into the field of criminal law, how court proceedings are conducted, and was able to converse with clients in jail. While in D.C, I was very isolated from everything and everyone that I knew, and my monthly meetings with my mentoring team were the time when I could talk to people who knew me as more than an intern. During this time, I also attended a number of workshops that continued to build on my learning and allowed me to network with really meaningful individuals, such as Dean Freeman at DU Law School and Alan Schieve, who works in admissions at CU Boulder Law. The Law School Admission Workshop explored tips for success in one’s law school application, as well as the various programs and resources available at both CU Boulder and DU law schools. Following this workshop, I was able to reach out to both Dean Freeman and Alan Schieve to introduce myself as a future law school applicant. Being able to have this one-on-one experience was very meaningful and important for someone like me, who is still learning about the legal field. 

During my time at Law School…Yes, We Can. I have intervened at two law firms and will be interning at the Kosovo Consulate in Des Moines, Iowa, in the summer of 2025. My participation in workshops, as well as conversations with my mentoring team, has built my networking and communication skills, which I believe have contributed to my successes. I have also been extremely grateful for the flexibility and understanding that the LSYWC staff has given me during my time as a college athlete. Their positive energy and understanding of my schedule have allowed me to work hard on the tennis court as well as in school, leading me to be named “Female Athlete of the Week” by the American Rivers Conference and to keep my undefeated singles record. I have been extremely grateful for the opportunities and people in LSYWC and look forward to seeing what this year has to offer, as I hope to apply to law school in the Fall of 2025.