Getting into law school is highly competitive. And the chances of getting accepted to a prestigious law school is nearly impossible.
But Hannah Irving has beat all the odds. The UNC Pembroke senior has been admitted to 13 law schools––including one of the top law schools in the country––and received more than $1.4 million in scholarship offers.
Having the pick of the litter, she will attend the University of Virginia School of Law this fall. She was offered full tuition at the University of Alabama, Ohio State University, the University of Illinois, Indiana University, Arizona State University and University of North Carolina, among others.
“I came to UNCP with the goal of attending law school. That is what I wanted to do from the first day I walked through the door, and it has been an overwhelming experience. I’m so excited to attend UVA––my dream law school,” Irving said.
The Portland, Oregon native discovered a passion for the law and politics early. At seven years old, she was glued to the TV during national political debates and would eagerly follow election results.
“I’ve always loved politics and the law in general,” Irving said. “My favorite movie is “A Few Good Men,” especially the part where Tom Cruise goes after Jack Nicholson on the witness stand.”
Irving’s passion for the legal profession grew after enrolling in the political science pre-law track at UNCP. She flourished academically and was heavily involved on campus as a Maynor Honors College student, a Chancellor’s ambassador, a REACH fellow, and vice president of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, in addition to memberships to multiple academic honor societies.
Irving was also one of three students who spent a year organizing––and subsequently hosting––the first-ever TEDx event at UNCP and won the Avery Grenfell Church Prize at the Alpha Chi national convention for her sociological research into U.S. Army veteran substance use.
She will graduate with summa cum laude honors on May 6, but unlike Cruise’s character, Irving isn’t considering a career inside a courtroom. She hopes to land a judicial clerkship or join a firm specializing in corporate or intellectual property law.
“I’m not sure exactly what I want to do after law school, but I know I want to clerk. UVA offers one of the best clerkship programs in the country,” she said. “I’m interested in clerking at the federal circuit court or maybe supreme court level if I’m lucky enough.”
No matter her career path, Irving will always champion UNCP for the opportunities that were afforded to her.
“I am so happy I chose UNC Pembroke,” she said. “UNCP has given me more opportunity and growth than I ever imagined. The caliber of faculty is incredible. My professors were so interested in ensuring I was learning and understanding that I could apply the curriculum outside the classroom.
“My professors make me feel supported and teach important lessons with real-life applicability—that’s my favorite part of my UNCP experience,” Irving said.
