Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Undergraduate: College of Charleston
Major: Political Science

A series of firsts define Skylar Curtis in her family – first to graduate college, first to venture out west, first to venture abroad, and now, first to go to law school.

Curtis is used to blazing trails in her family. An adventuresome spirit, her travels have taken her to 17 countries around the world, and she’s still eager to visit more. A former Spanish and technical theater major, Skylar’s path to law began in a unique way. She was engaged to a man who wanted to become a diplomat, and they began taking political science classes together in preparation for the foreign service exam. As fate would have it, only she passed.

While the engagement didn’t last, her emerging passion for political science bloomed – so much so, that a fellow classmate remarked that she would make a great lawyer. While initially recoiling, thinking, “lawyers, I hate lawyers,” she came to realize that her personality was actually well suited. Now, she says, “I can’t imagine pursuing anything else.”

Her path to law school was delayed when her mother suffered a stroke and she needed to return home to care for her. Later, with her mom in better health, Skylar flew to France to teach English for eight months, learning French as she went and benefiting from a great conversation starter – her furry three-legged cat. Following her French teaching experience, she was at last able to pursue law school.

Her journey to Pacific McGeorge began at a law school fair in Washington, D.C., where she was immediately drawn to the friendly staff working the booth, and reminded of the tight-knit community she enjoyed during her undergraduate studies in South Carolina. She was amazed in the personal interest Pacific McGeorge took in her, and points out that she “must have liked the whole package, because it was my most expensive school option!” What really confirmed her choice, though, was the kindness she received during her initial campus visit – when Financial Aid Director Joe Pinkas gave her a ride to her hotel instead of having her navigate the local bus system.

As for her future plans, her international travels and an appointment to the executive board of the International Humanist and Ethical Youth organization will likely open up more opportunities to travel the globe. And, given that her friend attending law school back home in Tennessee can only take two international law courses, she is pleased that Pacific McGeorge offers a host of international coursework to prepare her for her future career goals.