Meet the 2024 Winner of Blueprint Prep’s $20,000 Law School Tuition Scholarship

Meet the winner of the 2024 Blueprint Prep $20,0000 Law School Tuition Scholarship giveaway: Manal, a University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) graduate!
  • Reviewed by: Matt Riley
  • We are excited to announce the winner of the 2024 Blueprint Prep $20,000 Law School Tuition Scholarship giveaway: Manal, a University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) graduate! Read Manal’s story below to learn more about her and her law school goals.

    Manal’s passion for law was sparked in middle school by the true-crime podcast Serial. The podcast featured cases that exposed systemic biases and complex legal nuances, inspiring her to envision herself handling similar challenges in the future. Her criminology classes at UIC also solidified her passion for law and advocacy. 

    “It just opens me up to so much of…the harm that’s being done in the world right now and how I want to change that,” said Manal. “I know I’m just one person, but still, making incremental changes is better than doing nothing.”

    Navigating the High Cost of Law School

    Although Manal is passionate about pursuing law, determining how to get there has been a challenge. As a first-generation college student, she faces the daunting reality of funding law school.

    “I’ve had scholarships for undergrad, so I haven’t had to worry too much about finances, but for law school, it’s scary,” Manal admitted. “Do I take out all those loans? Is it worth it for me in the end?”

    In 2024, the average total cost of law school was $230,163. While $20,000 might not cover the entire cost of law school, Manal said winning the Blueprint Law School Tuition Scholarship has already lifted a huge weight. “It’s allowing me to not think about finances as much and focus on studying.”

    Further Reading

    💰 How to Pay for Law School

    💰 Law Schools That Offer Full-Ride Scholarships

    The Impact of the Blueprint Scholarship

    Winning the Blueprint Law School Tuition Scholarship has been life-changing. The first person Manal told was her mom. She rushed upstairs in tears to share the news with her and her little sister. 

    “Honestly, I’m so astonished,” Manal said. “It’s all been a huge surprise.”

    For Manal, the scholarship represents more than just financial support. It’s a recognition of her hard work, potential, and passion to make a difference.


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    Advice for Aspiring Law Students

    For those just starting their LSAT prep, Manal offered straightforward but powerful advice. “Don’t be disappointed with your first practice test score. You can only go up from there.” 

    Additionally, she encouraged others to build realistic study schedules, with a prep-life balance and plenty of active learning.

    “Drilling sections is more important than taking endless practice tests,” Manal explained. She noted that her focused review often yielded better results than simply doing more work. 

    When asked what the best piece of advice she ever received was, she remembered what a former lawyer shared with her when she worked at a nursing home. 

    “He just told me, success comes slow,” Manal remembered. “Take your time. Build those relationships with people. And I guess I would even say relationships and connections matter more than, you know, anything.”


    The 2025 Blueprint Prep $20,000 Law School Scholarship Giveaway will open early in 2025, so stay tuned! In the meantime, make sure to give yourself the best chance at getting accepted to law school with a competitive LSAT score! Check out Blueprint LSAT for LSAT prep options that match your learning style and goals. 

    Get started today by creating a free LSAT study plan to get on the path to success!