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Blakely Native Gets Educational Opportunity of a Lifetime

By: Jessica Leicht - Email Updated: Tue 5:29 PM, Aug 20, 2013

Getting into law school isn't easy. In fact, the preparation leading up to applying is time consuming and expensive. But for Kendra Mells it's well worth it. "I just started researching it, and I found out that it was incredibly competitive and everyone that completed it just loved it so I thought, hey I should apply and I did," Mells said. She's talking about the Training and Recruitment Initiative for Admission to Leading Law Schools, or “TRIALS.” "We wanted to focus on is giving with modest means and typically underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to compete for spots at one of the nation's leading law schools," Charles Loxton with the Advantage Testing Foundation, said. "The program is almost like a little bubble. There will be days where I would wake up and I had no idea what day of the week it was just because I was so engrossed or engulfed in my LSAT," Mells said. The program gives students a residential scholarship at Harvard Law School or N.Y.U’s Law School for five weeks. They practice for the LSAT’s, learn about law and meet professors. More than 2,000 people apply for trials each year, only 20 are chosen. "Someone in my program nicknamed it trials and tribulations because it's so tough and there are so many ups and downs. But I definitely think it's one of the most fruitful things I've done in my life," Mells said. The Spelman College senior isn't sure which law school she'll attend, but says the program has taught her she can do anything she sets her mind to. And she says that's thanks to her family, fellow trials survivors and her hometown education. "Just having the support system that is Blakely is completely awesome. I love going home and having people say you're making us proud. Because you know in a way they've gotten me to where I am," Mells said.

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