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Thoughts? Costs are similar.

Not even considering barbri? I have to put some money down soon and it will be barbri for me, but heck they are cheap in my state.

What JX are you studying for? I have a friend who chose Themis solely because of their package rate for NY and NJ.

BarBri is too much $$$$. My employer is not paying (govt). I am studying for the Maryland bar.

Please, seeking specific advice on Kaplan v. Themis.

I don't know man. And if you dont pass? That difference for not taking BarBri will seem like nothing when you tell your employer you need to re-take the bar.

Between Kaplan and Themis though, I'd have to say Kaplan. Based on my research, Themis seems like a joke. At Fordham they had a small turnout and a miserable pass rate - they won't release what it is - but based on the fact they had only 5-10 people and i know three that failed, they are a bad option.

What's weird is that Themis publishes their passing rate. Others don't. The themis rates are impressive: http://www.themisbar.com/state-bar-exam-pass-rates 90% in NY

I've heard good things about Themis for PA /NJ

I really don't totally understand the MUST DO BARBRI mindset...

DrGuano wrote:I don't know man. And if you dont pass? That difference for not taking BarBri will seem like nothing when you tell your employer you need to re-take the bar.

Between Kaplan and Themis though, I'd have to say Kaplan. Based on my research, Themis seems like a joke. At Fordham they had a small turnout and a miserable pass rate - they won't release what it is - but based on the fact they had only 5-10 people and i know three that failed, they are a bad option.

I've heard the exact opposite. Everyone I know who took Kaplan said it was terrible while the Themis people (5 all NY + NJ) passed easily. I took BarBri, passed NY. If you can afford to, just do BarBri. They have done this for so long that you will pass easily if you put in a reasonable kind of effort to follow their schedule (it is so intense that NO ONE can accomplish the daily assignments). I've heard nothing but good things about Themis though.

I plan on doing Themis. Also have to pay for it myself and I do not have the money for BarBri. I've heard good things about it from people who took the NY bar.

BobDole34 wrote:Thoughts? Costs are similar.

To get an idea of what Kaplan is like, you can sign up for their free online MPRE course. They offer videos, practice exams, and practice questions. Apparently, it's similar to their full bar prep course format.

BARBRI also has financial assistance programs. I bet if you called them up or went when they tabled or something and said you were going to Themis or Kaplan because of the cost they would cut you a deal.

I did Kaplan for LSAT. It wasn't super helpful.

I really do not understand the "must take BarBri" mantra. Look, you know yourself. If you need extra-help and are very concerned about your ability to pass the bar, then take BarBri. If you care about price and just need a review course, then take whoever is cheapest. It's not as though BarBri has some sort of secret to passing the bar. The only reason that they are more popular/more expensive is that they had a near monopoly on the bar review market for a number of years.

FYI - Barbri cannot match the best price offered by Themis or Kaplan.

called the Themis number to get an answer about the Fordham numbers. They wouldn't give me specific numbers but I was told the pass rate was 90% at Fordham for the NY and NJ bar. They did tell me there were more than 10 people that took it though.

ps - barbris financial assistance is worthless. Read the fine print. They tell you they will give you financing but then you have to pay a debt counseling firm for $360 a year. Take on more student debt to get rid of student debt...what a joke

geekrocker37 wrote:I've heard good things about Themis for PA /NJ

I really don't totally understand the MUST DO BARBRI mindset...

Because it works, its proven, and it works, and its proven. You spent how many thousands to get your degree, then you cheap out over $1500 in preparation for what its all about, your law license? Never made sense to me. I understand money doesn't grow on trees, and if your employment prospects are dim, then saving money is even more important, but still.

Maybe the others are fine, maybe even better. But the MUST DO BARBRI mindset derives from the fact that BarBri works without any doubts whatsoever.

NotMyRealName09 wrote:
Maybe the others are fine, maybe even better. But the MUST DO BARBRI mindset derives from the fact that BarBri works without any doubts whatsoever.

I've met people that have taken BarBri and failed the NY Bar.