Alumni | Recent Graduate Profile
David Ruiz : An American Law School Experience
On December 10, 2000, I arrived in the United States from Spain. Six years later, on December 5, 2006, I was sworn in as a member of the California State Bar. I am now an attorney at law.
The road that led from my arrival in the United States to becoming an attorney was paved with plenty of difficulties and challenges. I had to go from learning a new language to passing the California bar exam. I was fortunate enough not to have to walk all this way alone; in Glendale University College of Law (GUCL) I found the best companions that I could have ever found.
I developed an interest in pursuing a legal career in California during the summer of 2001. I contacted several law schools in the Los Angeles area, but only in one I found what I was looking for. I remember the first day I went to GUCL as if it was yesterday. I was looking for some general information about legal studies in California and I happened to meet the GUCL Director of Admissions. She provided me with plenty of information about the different types of law schools that one can attend in California and how to go through the admissions process at GUCL.
One of the things that most intrigued me from this first visit to GUCL was the difference between State Bar of California accredited law schools and ABA law schools. Since a graduate from a State Bar accredited law school can initially take the bar exam just in California, I had to consider if a State Accredited or ABA law school would be better for me to attend. After taking the LSAT, I received several letters from ABA law schools inviting me to apply, however, my mind was already made up. GUCL was the best option for several reasons. First, since I wanted to develop my legal career in California, I did not need to attend a school that would grant me access to the bar exam of another state. The fact that GUCL was State Bar accredited was more than enough. Second, the tuition at GUCL was very affordable. As an international student, grants or loans were not accessible to me so money was an issue. Nonetheless, I was able to afford GUCL. Third, the admissions officials at GUCL were very attentive to any need that I had during the admissions process. Being an international student, I had more questions than other students and my application was more complicated, but everything ran smoothly.
Once I began attending classes, I was afraid that language would become a barrier to me pursuing a legal education. I promptly found out that my fears were exaggerated. At GUCL, everyone from the Dean to the librarian was there encouraging you to work hard to achieve your goals. One of the most interesting features of GUCL is that the nucleus of the school is a family. Started in 1967, the law school was founded and has been directed by the same family for forty years; it is their life’s work. This gives GUCL a distinct flavor from other educational institutions.
After four years of effort, I graduated in June of 2006. The graduation ceremony was one of the most exciting events I have ever attended. It was an incredible moment that reflected the spirit of the school I had attended. My professors, classmates, and the whole school administration were there, on our little day of glory. After graduation, only one step remained to complete my legal education in California. I had to pass the California bar exam. Although I enrolled in the best-known bar preparation courses, the best advice and encouragement came from my former professors and the Dean of GUCL.
From the admissions process to the bar exam, GUCL was there for me. My best companions on this road were my professors, my classmates, and the GUCL administration. The only thing I can say to anybody looking for a legal education is that law school is a long and difficult path. The journey will not be as hard if you choose your companions properly. I chose GUCL and, if I were to repeat the experience, I would choose GUCL again.
David Ruiz, JD, Class of 2006
Graduated with High Honors,
First-time Bar Passer,
International Student
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