by: Yerin Kim, U3, Political Science & Communications
For this interview, I am excited to feature Aliyah, a McGill alum and former VP Internal of the McGill Pre-Law Students’ Society, who is now pursuing her JD at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. In this interview, Aliyah reflects on her journey from McGill to law school, shares how her time with MPLSS shaped her experience, and offers valuable advice for students navigating the pre-law path.
1. What extra curriculars were you involved in during undergrad?
“At McGill I was on the MPLSS coord and exec teams, on the Mock Trial team, on the McGill International Review journal editorial team, and a dancer on McGill Dance Pack! I was also a student mentor under the Faculty of Arts internship program. I really liked my extracurriculars and was doing everything I wanted to.”
2. How did your time with MPLSS shape your interest in law or leadership?
“I think being an MPLSS exec really developed my love for mentorship and just helping other people make their way toward the legal profession. There’s way too many barriers for us not to all help each other in any way we can, and MPLSS Internal was a great way to connect with a lot of people considering law and be a resource for people with similar aspirations as me!”
3. What’s been your favourite class or topic, so far?
“My favourite class as a law student so far is either contracts (very surprising – I think the professor really makes it) or constitutional law. A lot of people say your 1L doctrinal classes are supposed to be boring and then you get the fun stuff in upper years but I can’t lie… I’m loving it”
4. How would you compare the academic or social culture at McGill to Uoft Law?
“They call law school “professional school” and it really shows why. There’s an air of “we’re here as a stepping stone to our jobs” that just doesn’t exist when you’re in undergrad, or at least didn’t for me. It’s definitely not bad, if anything it means we’re given a lot of resources (events, panels, contacts, etc) very early on to help us achieve our professional goals — it is interestingly different though! We also do get a pretty solid balance of social events led by the students’ society or by clubs though, which has been great. “
5. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to current McGill pre-law students?
“I’d say don’t sweat it because you’re going to get into law school and you’re going to achieve your goals no matter what! There’s always a lot of talk about going to the right school but… honestly if you’re getting that degree and reaching out to people to make connections you are going to be fine.”
6. What’s one thing you miss about Montreal?
“The city felt cozier… to be fair this is largely influenced by the area of Toronto I live in right now but I’m seeing a loooot of grey.”
7. Coffee order during exam season?
“Tims medium 2 cream 1 sugar because she’s cheap and gets the job done!”