Duke PreLaw Fellowship Program
The Duke Prelaw Fellowship Program is a four-week (May 31, 2026 - June 26, 2026) residential program that aims to introduce talented rising college sophomores and juniors to the study of law and to the legal profession.
Twenty-four (24) students will be selected for this summer’s cohort of Fellows, with the ideal candidate being a student with demonstrated interest in pursuing law school who is ready to work hard, engage in coursework, and is interested in the access this program provides towards preparing for a legal education.
We encourage applications from students who attend colleges and universities in the Southeast region of the United States, although students from colleges in other regions may also apply. Participants in the past have included students from North Carolina A&T, University of Texas at El Paso, Howard, University of South Carolina, Colgate, FAMU, UNC Pembroke, and Morehouse College, just to name a few. In addition, we encourage applications from first-generation college students, students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, and students enrolled in community colleges who plan to transfer to a four-year institution. In keeping with Duke Law School’s mission, we also encourage applications from students who are interested in advancing equal justice in society, and those who have been exposed to a variety of experiences and perspectives that may enhance their ability to effectively serve diverse communities.
As a leading law school in the South, Duke considers the program a significant opportunity to encourage larger numbers of students in the region to not only consider law school, but to be prepared to pursue it successfully.
How to Apply
Eligible Students
The Duke PreLaw Fellowship Program is open to students who have completed their freshman or sophomore years at four-year colleges and universities, technical colleges and community colleges (Class of 2028 or 2029). The program focuses on attracting promising students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession, first generation college students and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as students facing other significant barriers to entering the legal profession.
Please complete the 2026 Duke Prelaw Fellowship Program application online using our new digital application link: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Zb9pNvwFrXXyu2. Once your application is completed, you will be provided a link and a unique identifier that you can be used to upload additional information. That same link will need to be provided to your recommenders so that they can add their letters of recommendation for consideration of your application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will be removed from consideration.
A completed digital application will include:
- Completed 2026 Prelaw Fellowship Application
- Resume
- Copy of unofficial undergraduate transcript(s) (official transcripts will be requested later, if accepted into the program)
- Two recommendation letters (at least one should be from a faculty member)
- Two original short essays (limited to 500 words each). Select two of the following prompts:
- A) What does the rule of law mean to you, and what special background or experiences do you have that may help you contribute to its advancement or that underscores its importance to you personally?
- B) Perseverance is one of the keys to success in law school and ultimately life. Discuss a time when you faced an obstacle, setback, or failure. How did it affect you? What lessons did you learn? What was the outcome?
- C) Exposure to a diversity of perspectives and experiences can enhance one’s ability to deliver effective professional services. Please describe any opportunities you have had to serve clients or your community, either through work or on a volunteer basis, and how your own exposure to different perspectives and experiences helped you
Application Deadline
The application must be received no later than 11:59pm Eastern time on Monday March 6, 2026. We will continue to accept supporting letters of recommendation until March 13th, 2026
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed holistically by evaluating each student’s academic promise, volunteer and/or work experience, and commitment to the Duke Prelaw Fellowship Program. Finalists may be contacted for an interview via Zoom. Interviews will be conducted by invitation only.
Program Costs
All programming, room and board, books, and course packets will be provided free of charge. Attendees will receive a stipend of $1,000 for participating in the program.