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鈥淚 thought this was going to be the best opportunity for me to try to get into law school.鈥�

After Amazon relocated Megan Jackson from Texas to Oklahoma for work, she saw the chance at the career she had wanted since high school. She jumped at the opportunity and put 野狼社区 University鈥檚 School of Law in her sights.

鈥淚 was afraid to go out of state,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淚t was going to be a big adjustment鈥擨鈥檓 13 hours away from my family.鈥� But it was the kick-start she needed.

"Moving to Oklahoma presented my best chance to attend law school for several reasons. First and foremost, the law schools here offer a strong academic reputation and are known for their supportive environments, which was appealing to me. Additionally, the cost of living and tuition in Oklahoma is significantly more affordable compared to many other states, making it a financially viable option for my education," she added.

Jackson applied and was accepted to several law schools. As a first-generation undergraduate and graduate student, she figured out everything on her own.

When Jackson was a child, her parents pushed her to strive for greatness.

鈥淢y dad quit working in 2008 to support me and my brothers. We sacrificed the extra income so my dad could be there with us, making sure we were supported and we had someone every step of the way so we could do more. I was in band; I did cheer. They made a lot of sacrifices so that I could be where I am currently. Had I not had that support, I don't think I would be where I am now.鈥�

Scholarships can make a world of difference when deciding what school to go to. Jackson is able to attend law school because of scholarships, she said, and she has thrived.

鈥淚 would not be here today if it weren't for (scholarship donors) and their contributions to OCU Law. I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to be more and want more for myself. They are truly impacting people鈥檚 lives and the lives we get to live because of their generosity. Their contribution does not go unnoticed, and we鈥檙e very, very grateful. I couldn鈥檛 do school if it weren鈥檛 for my scholarships.鈥� 

Living so far from her family in McAllen, Texas, Jackson looked for a support system. OCU faculty and staff have helped her with some of the most stressful and even mundane moments.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e really understanding, really considerate, and they just want to help us get through this process. Everyone is willing to help you be better, feel better鈥攚hether it鈥檚 the faculty or my peers. This is very rigorous, and it can be an isolating experience. And that's why they want to be there for us.鈥�

As a silver lining, "Being away from my family also played a crucial role in helping me focus. It allowed me to create an independent environment where I could fully immerse myself in my studies without the usual distractions. This separation provided me with the motivation to excel and pursue my goals diligently," Jackson said.

Being an older sister with a little brother now in college, she has walked him through college admissions and other processes she wished she had known.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to be able to support him now that I know what to do because when I went into it, I was blind. I didn't know how to apply for financial aid. I didn't know how to apply for college. And so it was really nice being there for him whenever he had questions.

鈥淭o be a first-generation law student, I genuinely can say I鈥檓 very proud of myself.鈥�