Student Spotlight - Hira Mirza

Hira Mirza

Q: When did you graduate?

I graduated in May 2020!

Q: What were your major(s) and/or minor(s)?

I majored in political science and minored in philosophy.

Q: Why did you choose to study philosophy?

I have always been interested in exploring and challenging the cultural/societal norms, but most importantly, challenging my own point of view, and philosophy gave me the perfect platform to do that. It allowed me to analyze and critique things in unlimited ways. I enjoy learning a bit about a lot of things and questioning things more freely, and philosophy gives you the freedom to do that.

Q: What are your goals for the future? Do you have plans to attend graduate schools, or do you have a career in mind upon graduation?

I plan on being an international human rights attorney to bring justice to the victims of human rights and promoting women empowerment through starting my own organization in the future. I will be starting law school in fall 2021. I was recently admitted to University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and Cornell Law School, thanks to the philosophy classes that I took, which helped tremendously in boosting my LSAT score.

Q: What are your interests in philosophy?

Ethics and existentialism, Confucius, Rumi, and Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote by a philosopher?

"Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion."—Rumi

Q: What is your favorite book in philosophy?

The Nicomachean Ethics, by Aristotle

Q: Have you had any recent accomplishments such as conferences you attended/ presented at, awards/scholarships you have received, contests you have won, publications you have made, and so forth?

I have made the Dean's Honors List from 2016 to 2020. I received the Louis P. Goldberg Memorial Scholarship in 2020 and the Sarah Koltun Scholarship in 2020.