My name is Isabella Valla and I am a recent graduate of Northeastern University where I obtained a Bachelor of Science majoring in Political Science and minoring in Criminal Justice. Via Northeastern’s co-op program I was able to apply my learnings as I explored working in the legal field in Boston, Massachusetts. At the University of Pennsylvania, I am in pursuit of a Master of Science in Criminology to better understand the inner workings of the criminal justice system and crime in America. Specifically, my interests remain at the intersection of crime and psychology, in particular, violent crimes committed against women and children. With this in mind, I am confident that the University of Pennsylvania is an appropriate environment for me to explore these paths. I greatly look forward to expanding my knowledge in the field and working collaboratively with my colleagues.