Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Mikaelian
Danielle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Danielle Mikaelian. I’m a Columbia University graduate with a BA in English Literature who currently attends Harvard Law School. I’m originally from Southern California and spent my childhood in the California public school system.
As the descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, I have never taken anything for granted. My history is one of resilience and this is a trait I strive to embody in my everyday pursuits. My ancestors came to the US and worked in shoe factories, starting from nothing. They never could have imagined that, a few generations later, someone in our family would have the opportunity to attend institutions like Columbia University and Harvard Law School.
Being accepted to Columbia was a transformative experience for me. I’ll never forget the feeling of pure joy I experienced after I was accepted. Columbia expanded my worldview, exposing me to industries that I never would have known about. It also acted as an ideal launchpad for me to gain admission to a top law school through exposing me to other motivated prelaw students and students at Columbia Law School. As the first lawyer in my extended family, I was grateful to receive advice from numerous Columbia Law students when it came to my admissions process as well as have the opportunity to serve on the boards of the Columbia Women in Law and Politics Club and the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review.
I’m currently in my third year at Harvard Law School. I have been very involved in different organizations at Harvard. One of the highlights of my time here has been serving on the executive board of the Harvard Association for Law and Business (HALB). As Executive Vice President of Operations and now Chief of Staff, I oversee all of the organization’s events, programming, and different teams. Through HALB, I’ve received incredible opportunities to connect with different businesses and law firms abroad – everywhere from London to Dubai. Outside of HALB, I have also been particularly involved in editorial work for different legal journals. For instance, I previously served as Co-Managing Editor of Print for the Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law as well as a Submissions Editor for the Harvard Human Rights Journal.
I also have been privileged to take advantage of opportunities to advance my legal education outside of Harvard as well through different opportunities. For instance, I was named a 2024 Akerman Scholar and had the opportunity to go to Panama for the North American Law Summit. This allowed me to meet individuals at the forefront of sports and entertainment law, as well as provided me with the opportunity to learn about developments in the industry.
Beyond this, I’m a 2024-2025 Ms. JD Fellow. Ms. JD is an incredible organization that uplifts women within the legal profession through mentorship. I was honored to receive their Limitless Leadership Award, which is awarded to one female law student in the United States in recognition of going above and beyond in their leadership, in their innovative gender equity initiatives, and in their exceptional commitment to empowering and inspiring future generations of women lawyers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve faced numerous setbacks, but do my best to remain true to my values. Simultaneously, it’s essential to remember that the truth will always set you free. Knowing you have lived your life ethically and honestly, while doing your best to be kind to others, is crucial.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have worked in a variety of sectors. For one, I have eight years of experience in college admissions consulting. I have edited thousands of admissions essays for students while simultaneously pursuing my coursework. At the same time, I help guide students through every step of the admissions process, from helping them locate internships to refining school lists. I have found it extremely fulfilling to help students navigate their admissions journeys. As a college consultant, I play a crucial role in determining one’s educational trajectory. This not only affects the next four years of their life, but heavily influences their future job and alumni network. It also is extremely important to me to ensure students not only attend schools that further their professional goals, but find institutions that are a strong fit personally as well. A recent interview where I walk through certain aspects of the college admissions process can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFSr_29tCFc
I also act as a student attorney through Harvard and have worked pro bono for a variety of clients and organizations. I’m currently a Legal Fellow with the Federal Reserve of Boston, working alongside the Federal Reserve’s Office of Community Development. Beyond this, I have worked pro bono for clients through Harvard’s Cyberlaw Clinic, Entrepreneurship Project, and Recording Artists Project.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I am an advocate of putting yourself out there. As a first year at Harvard Law, I attended every networking event that I could and introduced myself to attorneys from numerous firms. As someone who will be the first lawyer in my extended family, I have worked relentlessly to get to where I am today and value forming relationships with individuals both in and outside the legal profession. At the same time, it is important to form genuine relationships and treat everyone with respect as well as kindness.
Authenticity is also key. I am transparent regarding my goals and my values. While I have been grateful to have great mentors, I also do my best to give back to the next generation. I often speak at various universities to help the next generation of aspiring law school applicants. I invested so much time into my own admissions processes – spending hours on Reddit and forums like College Confidential to learn how to navigate everything. Now, I realize the value of having mentors who can pass down crucial information regarding admissions processes.
