Name: Sarah Shaw

Year: 1L (Class of 2018)

Undergraduate institution: Northeastern University, B.S. in Political Science, Class of 2012, graduated magna cum laude

Experiences between college and law school: I earned my M.A. in Political Science with a focus on Voting Systems in American Government, Northeastern University 2013. I then worked at a litigation law firm in Waltham, MA for two years.

• Section Representative for the Children’s Rights Group
• Semi-Finalist in the BC Client Counseling Competition

Favorite class: Criminal Law with Professor Cassidy. I have been interested in Criminal Law since middle school, and I am so excited to finally be taking the course! I am fascinated with the criminal justice system as constructed in the United States as opposed to other western democracies, and particularly Scandinavian countries. Our system focuses almost exclusively on incapacitation and retribution, while Norway is committed to rehabilitation. This course begins with a great introduction to the philosophical aspects of criminal law and moves through the substantial areas of criminal law.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I want to work as a criminal defense attorney.

Why law school? I have always been fascinated with rules and the law! Criminal law, in particular, has always captured my interest, but I find all the classes to be stimulating!

Why BC Law? Academically, BC is an amazing institution, but honestly the people are what make BC Law great! There is such a strong and welcoming community here, and the plethora of student groups makes it easy to meet and connect with students with whom you share interests.

What most surprised you about BC Law when you got here? I did not expect the professors to be so accessible and interested in my success.

Sarah Shaw is a 1L at BC Law and a BC Law Ambassador. Feel free to contact her with questions about her experience, BC Law, or law school in general. Comment here or send her an e-mail at sarah.shaw@bc.edu.

Boston College Law Ambassadors is a newly launched program designed to enhance the on-campus experience for every prospective student who visits BC Law. The Ambassadors are thirty students who lead campus tours, help out at Admitted Students Day, and serve as a resource for applicants and admitted students who are considering enrolling at BC Law.

In support of this role, each Ambassador will be profiled on the Impact blog over the course of the school year. If you are a prospective student and notice something about any of our Ambassadors that you’d like to discuss with him or her – whether it’s a shared alma mater, an interesting extracurricular, or an appealing summer job – do not hesitate to reach out. After all, that’s what we’re here for!