Duquesne Student Accomplishes Undergraduate Degree in Only Two Years

 Duquesne Student Accomplishes Undergraduate Degree in Only Two Years

Lindsay Kulesa, 22
(photo courtesy of Lindsay Kulesa)

PITTSBURGH -- Most students choose to complete their undergraduate bachelor’s degree in the standard four years. Lindsay Kulesa, pictured left, a second-year student at Duquesne’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, went against the narrative and completed her undergraduate degree in two years. 

The 22-year-old from Victor, New York, said she always knew she wanted to be a lawyer. She began to seriously consider a career path as an attorney after a law course she took in high school. Kulesa said that she also believes that being a lawyer requires a certain personality type. 

“My parents taught me how to advocate for myself and be very independent growing up, and it has definitely helped my practical skill set,” said Kulesa. 

Kulesa chose Duquesne University to be the vessel for her education after discovering how easy her credits from high school would transfer over. 

“I then chose to stay at Duquesne for law school because I wanted to maintain the connections I made in undergrad,” Kulesa said.  “The professors here, I felt, cared very much about me not only as a student, but as a person.”

Aside from academic connections, Kulesa found out she was able to remain an active member of her sorority at Duquesne, Delta Zeta. Most members stay active in a sorority for four years. Since Kulesa had only completed two years as an active member and planned to continue her education at Duquesne’s law school, she was able to continue her active membership with the Delta Zeta chapter at Duquesne. 

One of her most recent accomplishments, awarded to her by her sisters of Delta Zeta, was the senior superlative for “most likely to open LinkedIn at formal.” 

For Kulesa, the hardest part of this accomplishment was sacrificing time with sorority sisters and friends to prepare for harder and higher-level exams. 

“As a Sophmore it was very overwhelming, but I had a great support system, and it got me through it,” said Kulesa. 

How did she complete her undergraduate degree in two years? Well, Kulesa said it “kind of just fell into my lap.” 

Dr. Kristen Coopie is the Director of Undergraduate Pre-Law Studies at Duquesne University. Dr. Coopie helps guide students through the Pre-Law program at Duquesne to ensure they are on track. Duquesne University breaks down these requirements using a Pre-Law Program Checklist on their website. 

Many students, such as Tristan Hasseman, 21, Duquesne Undergraduate class of 2027, elect to complete Duquesne’s “3+3” law program. 

Hasseman said, “The 3+3 program has been a really great experience that I feel has prepared me for law school, plus I love that I get to save a year of tuition.”

This program requires three years as an undergraduate student and then three years of law school, either at Duquesne or elsewhere. Duquesne graduate Mckenna Muir, 21, chose to complete her three years of undergraduate studies at Duquesne and then continue on to The University of Akron in Ohio for law school. 

Duquesne’s website urges students to “Consider the 3-3 Early Admissions Program with Duquesne Kline School of Law, but remember that you do not need to participate in the 3+3 program to pursue the Pre-Law Certificate.” 

Duquesne's Thomas R. Kline School of Law

(photo courtesy of Duquesne's Department of Marketing and Communication)

“The director of the program Dr. Kristen Coopie has been an awesome advisor and makes the 3+3 program a smooth process as well” said Hasseman. 

After sitting down with one-another, both Dr. Coopie and Lindsay Kulesa realized that she was very much on track to graduate. 

Upon looking at Kulesa’s transcript, Dr. Coopie said, “well you’re done next spring.”  

By taking several credits in high school, Kulesa was able to get ahead on her credit requirements for college. While it was a shock, Kulesa said she never felt the need to finish her undergraduate degree in four years for the “college experience.” 

“I knew law school was the end goal, so I didn’t even really think about staying in undergrad another two years,” Kulesa said. “I came to college to become a lawyer and that’s what I did.”

 Though many people ask her if she regrets having a quote unquote “normal” college experience, Kulesa said she doesn’t regret it at all. 

“Staying at Duquesne gave me the experience, and the schooling I wanted. It didn’t feel like a sacrifice by any means,” said Kulesa. 

Lindsay Kulesa believes that academic motivation has always come naturally to her. Being raised by two hard-working parents, dedication and striving to get good grades always seemed natural to her. Kulesa would argue that she is more focused on making her parents proud, and that academic motivation just comes along with it. 

One of the most important things for Kulesa while completing her undergad was having a strong support system. She recommends surrounding yourself with friends and peers who hope for your success and don’t doubt you. 

“There were definitely people who thought I wouldn’t pass law school classes that young, but they were wrong,” Kulesa said. 

Transitioning into law school, Kulesa noticed the environment was different from her undergraduate experience. From grades, to how classes are taught, and the connections made with others, she said it was all different.

Kulesa said, “My first year was extremely difficult, socially more than academically, and I was surrounded by people who quite frankly drained me.” 

One big lesson that Kulesa said she took away from law school was that the people you choose to surround yourself with matter.

“Once I was able to find a study group that cared about me as their classmate, and a person, I became so much happier,” said Kulesa. 

When asked what Kulesa wishes she could tell her younger self who was just starting her undergraduate studies, she said she would tell freshman in college Linsday to be herself and trust that everything happens for a reason and will work out the way it’s supposed to. 

Now that her second year of law school and her time in Delta Zeta is coming to a close, Lindsay Kulesa has plans to work at a Corporate Defense Litigation firm this summer and wishes to return back to Pittsburgh after and work full-time in the same field of litigation. 

 “When you surround yourself with people who see your full potential, it makes you want to live up to it,”  said current J.D. Candidate at Duquesne’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Lindsay Kulesa.