Alumni Spotlight: Drew Mackenzie on Choosing UVA Law

One month ago, class of 2014 alumnus Drew Mackenzie began his first year at the University of Virginia School of Law. For Drew, the draw to the law profession is an extension of both his intellectual interests and theological convictions. Drew spent his undergraduate years at Baylor University and pursued a degree in the University Scholars program, concentrating in Great Texts, Political Philosophy, and Economics. Within these classes, Drew inquired questions on the purpose of a political community, the source of justice in a society, and how one lives a good life. He sees the legal tradition as a means by which these questions can be explored, perhaps even enacted, in day-to-day life. Although passionate about his courses of study, Drew sought to pursue answers outside of the classroom as well.

During his time at Baylor, Drew found many opportunities to learn about the field of law. In Waco, he worked with former U.S. Solicitor General Ken Starr as a research assistant and also interned at the Mission Waco Legal Service Clinic. Drew also spent two summers in Washington, D.C., where he worked as a congressional intern and as the Values & Capitalism intern at the American Enterprise Institute. He now finds himself back on the East Coast as a first year law student.
 
In the midst of many options, Drew chose UVA Law for its unique commitment to respect of students and the legal profession. While many top law schools pursue the latter in isolation, UVA Law is distinct in how it encourages students to value one another as comrades, rather than competitors. UVA Law, compared to similarly ranked schools, helps students to remember that the pursuit of a common goal has the potential to transcend individual interests. Drew is excited for all that lies ahead as he begins his time at UVA.
 
Drew is also the recipient of the top UVA Law scholarship: the Karsh-Dillard Scholarship. This scholarship offers full tuition to five first-year students each year who exhibit academic excellence and leadership.As Drew begins his first year, he notes that he is most looking forward to meeting new peers and
professors and the opportunity to put a new skill into practice.