Sarah Pierre reflects on her time in the Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program at Duke University
Sarah Pierre, a junior criminal justice major at Alcorn State University, attended the PLUS (Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars) Program at Duke University during summer 2018. The program was a four-week residential program that prepared 22 students to learn more about legal education.
Pierre was interested in finding a summer internship or an opportunity to expand her knowledge in the field of American Jurisprudence or within the American Penal System, so she applied for the PLUS program. While at the program, Sarah was able to practice skills just as a lawyer would.
“The program was structured like law school. We attended class, had reading and writing assignments, discussed case law, and observed court proceedings. Also, we had a lot of seminars that were known as our “Lunch & Learn” sessions. We even had Mock Trial and a presentation towards the end of our program,” said Pierre.
After attending the program, Sarah would consider attending Duke University after graduating from Alcorn.
“I would attend Duke; however, my mentor believes that I am destined for even more recognized universities like Harvard and Yale. Honestly and truthfully, it’s wherever God leads and destined for me to be.”
The PLUS program has given Pierre more motivation to pursue her goals and become a judge, which has been her dream for many years.
“This program opened my eyes to a lot of interesting details regarding not only the study of law but also gave me a new perspective for my remaining two years at Alcorn. I am more focused and driven now than at any other point in my life. I am doing more public speaking, and I can truly say, that I am a servant leader.”
In the future, Pierre would like to form a justice collaborative for pre-law students, throughout all universities and colleges within Mississippi.
