Summer Adventures: Jason Perez

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What are you doing this summer?

Currently I am part of the Boston University (BU) Summer Pre-Law Academy which is offered to about 30 students each summer, giving them the opportunity to visit law schools, live in the BU dorms, and take first-year law school classes like constitutional law, criminal law, contracts, civil procedure. We also get the opportunity to go out on outings to explore the City of Boston. We’re scheduled to go to Fenway Park and we just went to the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse. It is a great opportunity to network with different law professors and get an exposure to what life as a first-year law student looks like.

Take me through your day-to-day — what did your most recent day look like?

We did lawyering skills that were taught by two professors. They taught us skills to do legal research, legal writing, advocacy, how to do client interviews and counseling - this is what we've been focusing on this week. The day usually starts at 9 a.m.

What do you think you have gained from this experience?

I think this is a really unique experience. Obviously, the workload would be much heavier, but I have already gained the experience of being a law student.

What is the community like with the 30 other students in the program?

The program is based on diversity, so we talk about important topics of that nature like Critical Race Theory. Also, most of the students are students of color, Hispanic students, students from other states — a whole mix of students with diverse backgrounds. They're trying to bridge the gap — trying to promote diversity in the legal field. We have this community, we even have a group chat, we go to events — it is a really cool thing.

What was the admissions process like?

I saw the opportunity on the Law School Admissions Council website two days before the deadline. I had to get my personal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation ready in two days. I submitted on time, and a few weeks later I got an email saying that I was offered a spot.

Are there any costs to attending?

No cost. They cover everything! Even students who come from out of state have their travel costs covered!

What else are you doing to keep busy this summer?

After the BU Pre-Law Academy, I have an internship with the city solicitor for the City of Holyoke from July till August.

That’s so unique, how did you get that internship?

I reached out to their office and sent over a resume. They looked over it and I went in for an interview. Interestingly, they do not offer internships - the last internship they had was five years ago. 

Are you from Holyoke?

Yes I am!

Besides your two internships, what other fun activities do you have planned for the summer?

The BU Pre-Law Academy has been my fun- I have really enjoyed the outings we go on. Besides that, I really love Japanese Anime so I plan on catching up with a few shows!