After being accepted by nine law schools, she decided to enrol at the Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law where she has as of May 2022 graduated with a Juris Doctor (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.

Speaking on her achievement, Haley Schiltz says it feels surreal to finally be graduating from Law School. “It’s just been a lot of buildups and it’s really exciting to take off,” she said.

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’s still somebody that is such a huge life counselor, such a great advisor for me,” she said.

Schlitz said she wanted to use her Law degree to help other students and fight for equity. “You don’t find your path. You make it. Take life by the reins, by the horns, and just really make what you want your reality,” she stated.

She encouraged people to take advantage of opportunities and not to be afraid to take chances.