Snow Nelson’s journey to BYU Law seems unlikely, unless you believe in a God of miracles.  

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Snow was one when her father was incarcerated and later deported, leaving her mother to raise Snow and her brother alone. "When I tell people that I grew up on the streets of New York, that's literally true," Snow says. "That's where we lived between shelters and the homes of relatives."

She had earned her GED and was raising her son, Max, as a single mother when she met the missionaries, who asked to pray with her. Remarkably, a scholarship that allowed her to continue attending college came through the next day, and Snow saw the connection. 

After several years and "wave after wave" of missionaries, Snow was baptized. The missionaries helped her discover that BYU not only had a law school, but it also had a great one. She wanted to know more.

When a law school fair in New York was cancelled due to COVID, Snow borrowed money to fly to California, where a similar event was being held. Her faith and sacrifice ultimately led to a meeting with Dean of Admissions Tony Grover and an invitation to apply.

Snow is in her 3L year now. Her Achievement Fellow scholarship has made all the difference. “This scholarship isn’t just about taking away the burden of debt,” she explains. “If I had to work full-time, I couldn’t be here or focus on my son the way I do.”

After summer work with Quinn Emanuel and Michael Best & Friedrich, as well as being an in-house summer associate at 1-800 Contacts, the future ahead looks bright. 

“There’s nothing you can tell me that would stop me from believing in God,” she says. “I know life is hard. Attending Law School while raising my son--every day is a challenge. But I stay prayerful, I stay resilient, and I keep moving forward because I know I can help people.”

To read more about Snow's and other Law School students, please visit Rising Through Resilience | Philanthropies