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Is it better to take bar classes during law school as opposed to loading up on easier classes your 2nd and 3rd year to pad your GPA? I have always been an independent learner and a good percentage of people in lectures goof around during classes anyway and then just cram for the final a month out. Wouldn't it be better to just graduate with the highest GPA possible to strengthen job prospects? I only ask because many people who went with BarBri for bar prep said they pretty much re-teach everything and you are going to forget most of the material you learn in law school by the time you graduate law anyway. Any opinions or personal stories would be appreciated.

barestin wrote:Is it better to take bar classes during law school as opposed to loading up on easier classes your 2nd and 3rd year to pad your GPA? I have always been an independent learner and a good percentage of people in lectures goof around during classes anyway and then just cram for the final a month out. Wouldn't it be better to just graduate with the highest GPA possible to strengthen job prospects? I only ask because many people who went with BarBri for bar prep said they pretty much re-teach everything and you are going to forget most of the material you learn in law school by the time you graduate law anyway. Any opinions or personal stories would be appreciated.

BarBri does teach you everything. If you have taken 1L classes you should be fine. Though, some people need the comfort of "relearning" the bar classes.

ETA: I'm a 1L but my undergrad qualified me to take the bar. Did BarBri in 2009 with no previous US legal education, passed.

It might depend somewhat on what school you go to, but generally speaking taking a class just because it's on the bar is pretty useless. You'll learn what's on the bar in BarBri/on your own. Padding your GPA is a better idea, but again depends on your situation. If you're a 2L with an offer, then who cares what your GPA is. In a case like that, just take whatever you want (presumably something interesting with a good teacher and not too much work).

dixon02 wrote:It might depend somewhat on what school you go to, but generally speaking taking a class just because it's on the bar is pretty useless. You'll learn what's on the bar in BarBri/on your own. Padding your GPA is a better idea, but again depends on your situation. If you're a 2L with an offer, then who cares what your GPA is. In a case like that, just take whatever you want (presumably something interesting with a good teacher and not too much work).

No offer, just a rising 2L planning to network like crazy. It's good to know that I am not the only one who thinks like this haha. Thanks.

piccolittle wrote:

barestin wrote:Is it better to take bar classes during law school as opposed to loading up on easier classes your 2nd and 3rd year to pad your GPA? I have always been an independent learner and a good percentage of people in lectures goof around during classes anyway and then just cram for the final a month out. Wouldn't it be better to just graduate with the highest GPA possible to strengthen job prospects? I only ask because many people who went with BarBri for bar prep said they pretty much re-teach everything and you are going to forget most of the material you learn in law school by the time you graduate law anyway. Any opinions or personal stories would be appreciated.

BarBri does teach you everything. If you have taken 1L classes you should be fine. Though, some people need the comfort of "relearning" the bar classes.

ETA: I'm a 1L but my undergrad qualified me to take the bar. Did BarBri in 2009 with no previous US legal education, passed.

That's awesome. What state(s) did you take/pass the bar in?

barestin wrote:

piccolittle wrote:

barestin wrote:Is it better to take bar classes during law school as opposed to loading up on easier classes your 2nd and 3rd year to pad your GPA? I have always been an independent learner and a good percentage of people in lectures goof around during classes anyway and then just cram for the final a month out. Wouldn't it be better to just graduate with the highest GPA possible to strengthen job prospects? I only ask because many people who went with BarBri for bar prep said they pretty much re-teach everything and you are going to forget most of the material you learn in law school by the time you graduate law anyway. Any opinions or personal stories would be appreciated.

BarBri does teach you everything. If you have taken 1L classes you should be fine. Though, some people need the comfort of "relearning" the bar classes.

ETA: I'm a 1L but my undergrad qualified me to take the bar. Did BarBri in 2009 with no previous US legal education, passed.

That's awesome. What state(s) did you take/pass the bar in?

NY. BarBri is solid.