Ivey has numerous five-year dual degree programs in various disciplines. However, one of Ivey’s lesser-known options is the six-year HBA/JD dual degree. As someone interested in the program myself, I interviewed Jennifer Glied-Goldstein to learn more about the program and her background.
Tell me about yourself!
“My name is Jennifer Glied-Goldstein and I am 23 years old. I am a huge foodie, I love reading, and I’m passionate about fitness. I also love to travel; some of the greatest places I have been include Botswana, South Africa, Italy, Greece, and Israel.
At Western, I volunteered for Save a Child’s Heart (SACH), an organization that provides necessary cardiac care for children in developing countries, Hope for Relief (HFR), where I tutored children in low-income communities, and OHM Fashion Show, a charity fashion show that raises money for Canadian Cancer Society. I am also passionate about my responsibility to share stories about the Holocaust and educate individuals as a descendent of survivors.”
What program did you study for your first two years at Western and how do you think it shaped your experience in Ivey or Western Law?
“As a grandchild of immigrants, I grew up with traditions that my peers viewed as peculiar. In turn, I saw the everyday culture around me as different and fascinating. That led me to ask questions about it and try to understand how history is interpreted and organized by different groups. In particular, I became interested in how ideas about nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, race, and age are received and challenged by societies. To further this interest, I majored in American Studies: a combination of history, English, and anthropology. Many Ivey students have a BMOS background. I found that because I did not major in business before Ivey, I was able to offer a unique perspective to classroom discussions.”
What made you decide to go to law school?
“My grandfather, Bill Glied, came to Canada in 1947 as one of the first orphan refugees admitted to this country after the Holocaust. He became a lifelong scholar, prompted by his endless curiosity. Through his guidance, I learned that knowledge is the only thing that no one can take from me. His dedication to spreading the lessons of history shaped the foundation on which I was raised.
My interest in law was cemented in 2015 when my grandfather was given the opportunity to testify against a Nazi SS Officer, Oskar Gröning. Thomas Walther, a retired German judge who in his retirement led the prosecution against Gröning, provided a forum for my grandfather to testify against a Nazi perpetrator, in a German court, in front of a German Judge. The case resulted in the successful conviction of Gröning on 300,000 counts of accessory to murder. Walther’s careful analysis and research of German law and precedent enabled this accessory to murder charge to be successfully made for the first time in Germany, setting an important precedent for future prosecutions against all crimes against humanity. Through watching this experience, I understood that lawyers can have an important and meaningful impact on lives and society.”
Why did you decide to do the combined JD/HBA program?
“I wrote the LSAT after second year before I started Ivey. Since a law firm is a business and lawyers advise businesses, I felt having a business degree would be beneficial. I also felt it was important to learn the hard skills at Ivey that would be beneficial for my legal career. When I took Corporate Law, I discovered that many people did not know how to read financial statements. My understanding of financial modelling, accounting and economics proved to be an advantage.
The soft skills I learned at Ivey also proved to help me succeed in law school. As opposed to many programs that teach students to memorize information, the Ivey method teaches students to act. The mandatory contribution in every class ensures students learn to think on their feet as conversations develop.
Ultimately, the community at Ivey proved to be the most valuable. At Ivey, I was surrounded by like-minded, driven and supportive peers. Since Ivey constantly forces you to work in teams, I quickly learned that you need to be able to depend on your peers to succeed. The friends I made at Ivey support me unconditionally and inspire me to grow and excel every day.”
How challenging would you say managing the workload is and how did you manage it?
“Ivey trained me to stay on top of my work so that I was never in a position where I had to cram for an exam. Additionally, Ivey offers strong student support to help you manage the heavy workload. I felt prepared for the rigour of the dual-degree program.
However, when I started law school at 21 years old, I felt like a little fish in a big pond. My peers had completed their undergrad, several had pursued masters and Ph.D. degrees and had worked full-time for successful companies. I was worried that my peers were years ahead of me with respect to their personal and academic growth. Nonetheless, I quickly learned that as long as I worked hard and felt confident, my age did not matter.”
Any advice for anyone considering pursuing Ivey and Western Law?
“At Ivey, I was constantly told I had to learn to iterate and I did not fully understand why. I realize now that the path to the JD/HBA program and your final law job is not a linear process. There are many bumps on the road. Several of my peers took the LSAT two or three times, others applied to Ivey twice and then to law school twice. Failing once does not mean you are not destined to ultimately succeed. Failing will improve your resilience and help you grow. I guess what I am trying to say is that you should not give up. As cliché as it sounds, no matter what obstacles stand in your way, keep persevering.”