On Sophia Park's first birthday, she picked up a judge's pin. It was her должаби ceremony, a Korean tradition that involves placing various items in front of a child and receiving one in anticipation of their future profession.
Park stuck with her choice of law and achieved remarkable success: Earlier this month, at age 17, she became youngest tester ever to pass the California bar exam.
Park will join the Tulare County District Attorney's Office in California as a prosecutor after she turns 18 in March.
Park received her high school diploma, a bachelor's degree and a law degree in just four years.
Instead of attending public high school, Park chose to be home schooled. She began online law school classes at Northwestern California University School of Law at the age of 13, when she was in the eighth grade. Park graduated from high school in May 2022 and received an accelerated bachelor's degree in educational studies from Western Governors University in May 2023. In June, she graduated from the University of California Northwestern School of Law with a Juris Doctor of Law.
In July, she sat for the California Bar exam, widely considered one of the the most difficult bar exams in place with a pass rate of 53.8%. The two-day exam includes five 60-minute essay questions, a 90-minute performance test, and approximately 200 multiple-choice questions.
Park received word that she had passed the exam on November 8. Her family celebrated her achievement alongside her, including her brother Peter, who previously held the title of the youngest person to pass the bar exam in California. Peter passed the exam in November 2023 at the age of 17 years and 11 months. Sophia was separated at the age of 17 years and 8 months.
Park admits she missed out on prom, graduation and other standard high school and college experiences — but has no regrets.
“Looking at where I am now, I wouldn't trade it for anything,” she said told the New York Times. “I have an experience that not many can have.”