Student Story: “Never Say ‘No’ to Yourself”

McKenna “MJ” Raade ’25 was a senior in high school in rural Cottage Grove, Oregon, when she googled “best social science programs.”

The ILR School was the first to pop up. She paused. An Ivy League school seemed a bit of a reach. She would be one of the only graduates in her class of around 100 to venture so far from home. And it gets cold in Ithaca.

Interested in law, but hesitant to commit to that path as a 17-year-old, Raade thought ILR seemed like a good fit. “I wanted to sample everything. I knew ILR would set me up,” Raade said.

As an ILRie, Raade explored union organizing and other social justice paths through her coursework. She learned enough about economics and organizational behavior to find them interesting, but not enough to pursue for a career. 

Though minors are not required for law school admission, Raade, like many ILR students, deepened other interest areas through her minors: American Indian & Indigenous Studies, Inequality Studies, Law & Society, Environment & Sustainability, and American Studies.

Other activities included the ILR/UCD Semester in Dublin Program, a paid internship at the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation in Honolulu and a student ambassador position with Cornell’s American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program. 

But it was two ILR law-oriented experiences and a Cornell Law School course that resonated, solidifying her interest in law school.

An independent study with Assistant Professor Gali Racabi on movement law gave her access to a mentor who shared deep knowledge and valued her perspective. “He also challenged me to make sure law school was what I really wanted.”

In “Sophomore Writing Seminar in Law: Socio-Legal Perspective on Disability,” Raade’s second course with Senior Lecturer Allison Weiner Heinemann, she carefully developed a 25-page research paper that Weiner Heinemann provided feedback on throughout the semester. “I feel like I have a personal relationship with her,” Raade said.

After taking “Haudenosaunee - New York State Relations” with Robert Odawi Porter at Cornell Law School, Raade knew she would pursue law school. ”

Raade then sought advice about applying for law school from the ILR Student Experience Team, which helps guide students through their undergraduate years, and graduate school and career planning. 

“We have a really great Office of Career Services. When I was in my head about not getting into law school, they calmed my nerves.” 

In August, Raade entered the UCLA School of Law as a Graton Scholar. She plans to specialize in Native Nations Law and Environmental Law. 

“I’m excited to become a lawyer,” said Raade, a descendant of the Anishinaabe Ojibwe people. “Without ILR, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” she said. “It was destiny for me to come here.”

For high school students interested in ILR, Raade said, “I have one piece of advice: Never say ‘no’ to yourself. Apply. Put yourself out there.”