Fourth-year student Tara Mohammad shares her experiences in applying for law school
The Justice Studies program at the University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) opens a variety of doors for students pursuing future careers in the justice field, such as working in the courts, joining a police force, or pursuing law.
U of GH Justice Studies is the first step for many students on their path to becoming a lawyer. This program empowers students to feel ready to apply to and thrive in law school – like fourth-year student Tara Mohammad, an aspiring criminal lawyer and advocate, who applied to law school in fall 2025.
“The Justice Studies program has been a transformative experience that has equipped me with essential skills and knowledge necessary for success in law school, and beyond,” she shared. “The program offers diverse courses that introduced me to a wide range of legal topics relating to the criminal justice system, social justice, probation and parole, and corrections.”
Tara's drive to have a career in law sparked long before she attended U of GH. Prior to university, she was enrolled in Humber Polytechnic’s Law Clerk diploma program, where her summer internship through that program “changed everything." During this internship, she felt inspired as she worked alongside criminal and family law lawyers, observing firsthand how they fought for their clients and meticulously prepared for proceedings.
Seeing and contributing to this work – work that she called “meaningful” – ignited that dream for Tara to become a lawyer, and it’s one that the lawyers she worked with encouraged her to chase. This led her to enrol Guelph-Humber, where she will obtain an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Justice Studies and a diploma in Community & Justice Services. Students in this program also have the option to pursue a Police Foundations diploma instead.
“The Justice Studies Program emphasized critical aspects of criminal justice, social justice, and policy analysis, delving into the complexities of the legal system. Through this program, I gained an in-depth understanding of the diverse branches of law and their interconnections, allowing me to appreciate the nuances of each area and their implications,” she said.
In addition to the program, Tara cited supports at U of GH for helping her to prepare her law school application, which is a lengthy process. Through guidance from Academic Advising services and Career & Placement Services, she felt supported along the way about the best strategies in putting forth the strongest application possible in a competitive admissions process.
“My academic advisor, Joseph Italiano, has played a significant role in my journey thus far. I began my time here as a new student with him and am now concluding my time here as a soon-to-be graduate with his support. He introduced me to various societies and clubs here at Guelph-Humber that have greatly enhanced my law school applications,” she stated. “Elizabeth Hawley from Career & Placement Services provided me with valuable tips and tricks to make my application stand out and explained what different law schools are looking for. She was a huge help in easing the tension that comes with the preparation process.”
Tara has been active in student societies throughout her time at U of GH, notably as a general member in the Guelph-Humber Pre-Law Society and as the Vice President of Communications for Guelph-Humber’s chapter of the international honours society Alpha Phi Sigma. This enhanced her knowledge of the justice sector and allowed her to network with her fellow peers and professionals visiting the University during events, while sharpening her leadership and advocacy skills.
“The collaborative environment at Guelph-Humber, along with my connections with instructors and fellow students, has been incredibly valuable. I believe these relationships have helped me build a supportive network that I will carry into law school,” Tara said.
Looking ahead to her future, she shared a valuable piece of advice that has stayed with her – something she learned from guest speaker Tasneem Jivanji (a lawyer and educator), who spoke with Justice Studies students during the fall semester. This advice is: The best law school isn’t always the right fit.
This means that while some law schools might be deemed more prestigious by their ranking, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a good fit for you. Jivanji taught Tara that what matters most is finding the law school that most suits your needs, including location, teaching styles, areas of expertise, and more. Ultimately, it’s about being set up for success on a law school journey. And for Tara, that determination to succeed is driven by her purpose for studying law and justice.
“To me, justice represents a fundamental commitment to advocating for those who might not have the capability or means to advocate for themselves,” she said. “It reflects the ideal of equity, guaranteeing that each individual, regardless of their circumstances, has the chance to be heard and to actively participate in the justice process.”
Your journey to become a lawyer may begin at Guelph-Humber. Click here to learn more about the Justice Studies program.
