Haley Taylor Schlitz, has done the impossible by becoming the youngest student in the history of Southern Methodist University to get an honors degree from the Dedman School of Law.
Haley gained attention in 2019 after being admitted at the age of 16 into nine legal schools.
She graduated from Texas Woman’s University in the US with a bachelor’s degree in multi/interdisciplinary studies.
Despite receiving acceptance letters from nine other law schools, she chose to enroll at the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She received her Juris Doctor in May 2022. (J.D).
The SMU Dedman School of Law confirmed that she is the law school’s youngest Black student to graduate with her age being 19.
“We are incredibly proud of Haley and all she has accomplished during her time at SMU Law School.
We know she is going to make a difference in this world, and we can’t wait to see all the wonderful places her career will take her,” SMU Dedman School of Law Professor Jennifer Collins told GMA.
She attributes her success to motivations from her mother, saying she is her biggest motivator and biggest supporter.
“My mom has been probably my absolute biggest motivator, my biggest supporter, the person that I look up to the most.
She’s an ER doctor and so for the longest time, I wanted to be an ER doctor, but even after wanting to be an attorney, and now going to law school
She continued, “She’s still someone who is such an enormous life counselor, such a fantastic advisor for me.”
Schlitz stated that she intended to use her legal education to support other students and promote equity. You fail to discover your way.
You succeed. Take life by the reins and the horns and genuinely try to make your dreams come true, she advised.
She exhorted individuals to seize opportunities and not be afraid to take risks.
Biography of Haley Taylor Schlitz
In 2016, at the age of 13, Haley graduated high school and started her undergraduate education at Tarrant County Community College’s Northeast campus. After one year at TCC, Haley applied to and was accepted to over 15 undergraduate institutions as a transfer student. Her acceptances included Xavier University of Louisiana’s prestigious Pre-Med Program, Oklahoma State’s Honors college, Spelman College, University of Texas at Dallas, Grambling State University, Tuskegee University, Bard College at Simon’s Rock – The Early College, Texas Woman’s University and many others.
