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I have a really compelling story that I wouldn't mind sharing with admissions officers, etc, etc. But I only recently found out that when you need to be admitted to the bar they see your law school application (is this even correct??) and I'm not sure if I would love the story to be part of any sort of public record for posterity. I'm honestly just completely ignorant as to how all this works.
The story is 100% truthful, but I can imagine not wanting it to be something just anyone would be able to see for the rest of my life. It has to do with a highly stigmatized health issue.

Your bar application is not public. Not sure where you got that idea.

Danger Zone wrote:Your bar application is not public. Not sure where you got that idea.

Public is totally the wrong word. But I mean, who can I anticipate seeing it in the future? For example, would an employer ever be able to see it? If someone ran a background check?

porkypig wrote:

Danger Zone wrote:Your bar application is not public. Not sure where you got that idea.

Public is totally the wrong word. But I mean, who can I anticipate seeing it in the future? For example, would an employer ever be able to see it? If someone ran a background check?

Public is the right word. If it's not public, then no non-governmental background check will have access to it.

They are sealed, it depends on state law* (and I'm not sure of test cases) but generally under no circumstances will anyone but the bar examiner staff see them, even under subpoeana or FOIA request. And the examiner most likely won't request your PS anyway. I wouldn't worry.

The application, in school hands, is likely protected by FERPA and a FOIA exemption for school records, although it's theoretically possible that a subpoena could reveal it.


If your job is for law enforcement or requires a security clearance, the rules differ. But I wouldn't worry about that because: a) they'll find out anyway & b) those types of checks aren't really concerned with traditional employment concerns (you can have a top secret clearance with a string of commitments and arrests in many cases).

*In my state, that's actually enshrined in the constitution.

porkypig wrote:

Danger Zone wrote:Your bar application is not public. Not sure where you got that idea.

Public is totally the wrong word. But I mean, who can I anticipate seeing it in the future? For example, would an employer ever be able to see it? If someone ran a background check?

No, all employers will see (and care about) if is you passed or not. Admissions essays do not come up in background checks. A PS would likely have to be subpoenaed but I can't imagine a scenario where that would ever be necessary. If you have serious doubts, contact the admissions office and ask how long essays are kept on file. You should be fine!

Your bar application isn't public. Your state bar can look at your LS app (to make sure there aren't any discrepancies between your answers to the LS and your answers to them), but it's not going to publish anything and I doubt they'd want to look at your PS anyway.