5XÉçÇø

Hi! My name is Analynn Gibson, and I am a junior philosophy major with a minor in .

I applied only to Kent State, and it turned out to be an excellent decision. I spent my senior year of high school as a full-time College Credit Plus student at 5XÉçÇø at Tuscarawas. I walked into my high school a total of three times the whole year. I chose Kent State because my parents own a house only a few minutes away from the Tuscarawas campus, allowing me to jump-start my college career. In order to fulfill the philosophy requirements, I later moved to the Kent campus.

My Decision

I am currently a junior preparing for law school at 19 years old. I am in the 3+3 Accelerated Law Degree Program, which allows future law students to combine their undergraduate senior year with their freshman year of one of multiple law schools partnered with Kent State. Upon acceptance, I will be attending law school in the fall of 2026. I will graduate with a bachelor’s in philosophy and a minor in bioethics in the spring of 2027. 

This program has challenged and motivated me into becoming a better student and future lawyer.

My Community

Making deep personal connections with others my age has never been something I was good at. This is partly what pushed me to attend college full-time a year early. I've formed lasting friendships at both the Tuscarawas and Kent campuses. Two of my friends from Tuscarawas have even come to visit me here at the Kent campus.

While at the Tuscarawas campus, I was a part of Render, a student-led Bible study. My brother, who is now the vice president of Render, and I would attend most meetings between our classes. Through this organization, my relationship with my brother grew stronger.

Now that I am at the Kent campus, I am involved in multiple clubs and organizations. During the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year, I had the opportunity to attend quite a few The Navigators (Kent Navs) meetings. Their meetings were on Wednesday evenings, allowing me to have a midweek pick-me-up through their uplifting biblical teachings.

Both last year and this year, if I was unable to go home for the weekend and attend church at home, I would go to H2O Church. H2O is one of many on-campus religious groups. Simply being surrounded by others my age with similar beliefs is a huge encouragement to me.

I joined the Kent State Mock Trial team at the beginning of the year. This is my first year on a team of any kind, and I am constantly amazed at how patient and kind the other members are. The leaders and other members have poured their time, knowledge, and relentless patience into me. After being a student panelist at Kent State's Constitution Day celebration, I was offered to join the library student council board. Lastly, my most recent addition, Turning Point USA at Kent State, an on-campus political group that advocates for free markets and limited government.

This year I have also gone on two excursions with the Kent State Adventure Center. After I went to H2O church one morning, I went kayaking on the Cuyahoga River. I had such a fun time kayaking that I signed up for a camping trip to Hocking Hills! The camping trip was truly a moment in time. I have never been in such a diverse group of people where they all got along so well. We all received some much-needed laughter and outdoor time.

My Goals

Upon finishing the spring 2026 semester, I hope to attend law school. After I finish my law degree, I hope to pursue a career as either a bioethicist on a medical board, working to change the healthcare system and laws, or something I have yet to consider and fully look into. 

I’ll seize every opportunity to make a difference, big or small.

My Advice

Coming from someone who has always had a difficult time forming friendships, the biggest lesson I have learned from joining clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities is to simply put yourself out there. Believe me, I understand how difficult it is to try something new and talk to new people, but it is so worth it. Finding an outlet to express yourself will be necessary for your success in college. Even as a prospective law student, I have had to learn the hard way that you can’t study all the time. Regardless of your major and background, you are going to have difficult moments. It will be the community you build that will carry you through the highs and lows. I even met one of my closest friends at Destination Kent State, an event I was originally nervous about attending but that ended up being one of the best events because I met such a wonderful individual.

My final tip: stay open to new experiences. Kent State has such diverse opportunities. You just need to be open to these things and try them. You can’t know your preferences until you experience them firsthand. A few weeks ago, I went to a presentation on Turkmenistan with a friend from there, and she and her friends taught me a traditional Turkmen dance. I never expected to have as much fun as I did.

Whatever life offers you, reach out and take it!

Admissions Student Blog