The Sidebar with Catherine

This episode was recorded in April 2025. Any references to the last admissions cycle pertain to the 2023–2024 cycle. Stephanie Thistle serves as Director of Recruitment for the Penn Carey Law JD Admissions Office. She received her BA in Journalism from New York University and her MSEd in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Following her graduation from NYU, Stephanie worked for s...

Rae attended the University of Southern California (USC) and double-majored in Critical Studies in Film and Television (BA) and Dramatic Arts (BA). After graduating, Rae moved to Boston to pursue a professional dance career as a Boston Celtics Dancer. Through personal experiences, Rae was inspired to better understand how the legal system negatively impacts mental health. They went on to volunteer...

Christopher Jones is a third-year law student at the University of Pennsylvania, set to graduate in Spring 2025. Prior to pursuing his legal education, Christopher spent five years in transportation management, where he served as an operations manager for a public bus company. In this role, he supervised bus drivers, dispatchers, and customer service representatives, developing valuable leadership...

Carson is a final year law student at Penn Carey Law. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 with a degree in International Relations. While working as a musician and bartender, he hoped to find a graduate program to study the politics of language. Instead, he became a campaign manager for a Tennessee State House race, later serving as Deputy Field Director for Senator Michael...

This season , we’re exploring the many paths to law school through conversations with my Penn Law classmates—sharing their journeys, surprises, and advice along the way. Follow us on Instagram @thesidebarwithcatherine for more tips and updates!