I know first-hand how stressful and overwhelming it can be to apply to university — especially if you are the first in your family.  I know, because that was my story.

As a first-generation Canadian, I was the first person in my family to graduate from university, and the first person in my family to earn a professional degree.  While being the first knows its own victory, I also know that trail-blazing has its challenges.

Thankfully, I graduated from York University, Glendon Campus with a bilingual Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and philosophy.  I was accepted to McMaster University to do a Master of Arts in philosophy and was going to specialize in legal philosophy, but instead, I decided to study law at McGill University.  I graduated with two law degrees — a Bachelor Laws and a Bachelor of Civil Law — shortly thereafter.

If you are thinking about graduate studies or professional level studies, I can:

• Review and revise university applications and essays (including applications to undergraduate studies, graduate, law and medical school)
• Provide advice on how to succeed in law school
• Answer any questions you may have about the application process and the law student experience

It would be my pleasure to work with you to ensure that you meet your educational goals using my innovative approaches and creative thinking.  Contact me for more information.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose Review

The essays, personal statements and statements of purpose that I have reviewed have helped my clients gain entry into their law schools of choice, including top law schools in Canada like Osgoode Hall Law School.

Contact me for an estimate.

Scholarship Consulting

“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Through hard work and dedication, I was able to win approximately $90 000 worth of scholarships for my undergraduate education and my legal education.  Below is a list of some of the scholarships and awards I have received:

• YWCA Montreal Young Woman of Distinction Award, 2012
• Forces AVENIR – Personality Undergraduate Award (1^st place), 2011 (provincial)
• Law Students Association Patricia Allen Award for Participation, 2011
• African Canadian Achievement Award (for Youth Achievement), 2011 (national)
• Golden Key International Honour Society Debt Reduction Scholarship, 2011
• McMaster University Graduate Studies Scholarship, 2010 (declined)
• Black Business and Professional Association Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP Scholarship, 2010 (national – renewable)
• Faculty nomination for York University Murray G. Ross Award (President’s Award), 2010
• Golden Key International Honour Society International Student Leader of the Year Award, 2010 (international)
• Golden Key International Honour Society Regional Student Leader of the Year: Canada, 2010 (national)
• Golden Key International Honour Society Canadian Undergraduate Award, 2010 (national)
• York University Alumni Silver Jubilee Scholarship, 2010
• Glendon Student Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution, 2010
• PACE Credit Union Bursary, 2010
• Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Citizenship and Scholarship Award, 2010
• York University Ralph Fisher Scholarship, 2009
• Equal Voice at York University Essay Competition, 2009
• Congress of Black Women of Canada (Ontario) Abraham Doras Shadd/Rosemary Brown Scholarship, 2009
• Canada Millennium Excellence National In-Course Award, First Level, 2008  2009, 2009 – 2010 (national – renewable)
• Listed in Canadian Whos Who (since 2008)
• Black Pearls Community Inc. Pearls of Wisdom Scholarship, 2007
• Friends of Glendon Scholarship in Political Science, 2007
• Black Business and Professional Association  CIBC Harry Jerome Scholarship, 2007 (national)
• Dudley Laws Scholarship, 2006
• Jaswant Singh Randhawa Memorial Scholarship, 2006
• Agincourt Collegiate Institute Participation Award – Platinum Level, 2006
• Ontario Scholar, 2006
• Jamaican Canadian Association I Have a Dream Scholarship, 2006
• Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship, 2006 – 2007, 2007 – 2008, 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010 (renewable)
• John Gyles Education Award Textbook Grant, 2006
• North York Community Credit Union Bursary, 2006
• Christian Youth Sports Academy Scholarship, 2006
• Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations Bursary, 2006
• Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Essay Contest winner and internship with Jamaican Weekly Gleaner (N.A. Co.), 2006
• Canadian Association of Black Educators Essay Contest Winner, 2006
• York International Mobility Award, 2006
• York University Continuing Student Scholarship, 2009-2010
• York University Renewable Entrance Scholarship, 2006 – 2007, 2007- 2008, 2008 – 2009
• York University (Glendon Campus) Omar and Nora Deslauriers Service Bursary, 2006
• Black Business and Professional Association – Harry Jerome Award for Leadership, 2006 (national)
• Optimist International Essay Contest, 1st Place (District Level), 2006
• Optimist International Essay Contest, 1st Place (Club Level), 2006
• North American Division Distinguished Youth Service Award, 2006 (international)
• John Brooks Community Foundation Scholarship, 2001, 2002

As a member of the Financial Aid Recipient Advisory Committee at York University, under the guidance of the University Registrar, I gained even further insight into how financial aid is awarded.

I can help prospective university and graduate/professional students with the scholarship application process so that they can do a little less toiling and more winning:

• How and Where to Find Scholarships
• How to Write a Convincing Scholarship Essay
• Review and Revise Scholarship Essays
• Prepare You for Scholarship Interviews

I’ve given presentations to high school students on finding and winning scholarships and they have found my advice invaluable.  Anjana, a grade twelve student who sat in one of my presentations said that she left my presentation inspired.

Naheer, another grade twelve student, also left inspired.  He told me that my advice helped him navigate the wealth of scholarship resources available:

“You really gave me a sense of direction in applying for scholarships and steered me the right way.  Before your presentation, I was literally feeling lost.  There was a sea of scholarship information being thrown at me from every which way, and I didn’t know what to do with all of it and how to process it!  Sure I knew what scholarships were and that I should take my time to apply for them – but how exactly? I kept wondering…”

Teachers and staff have also found my insight to be very helpful and have appreciated my seminars.  Stephen Buck, a guidance counsellor at another high school  where I spoke during their Financial Aid seminar, said that my segment was the “most informative and interesting part of the evening.”

It’s never too early to start preparing financially for your education.  I won my first scholarship in grade seven and I always advise students to begin their process of searching for scholarships as soon as possible — even as early as grade nine.  Contact me and I’ll tell you why. 😉

I love working with people to help them make their educational dreams a reality, using out-of-the-box thinking and approaches.  I can also give presentations on scholarships to schools and groups upon request.  Contact me for more information.