There's an academic summer course I really want to do, that runs July 4-22 (and the NY bar is July 26-27). I plan to be studying from the end of May - or can even start in mid-May if necessary, and will be doing the Themis course. The academic course runs 9-5 every day, but isn't that intensive, and there's a lot of social stuff involved as well.
If I study really hard throughout June and manage to do 3-4 hours a day (so ~25 hours a week) through July, will I risk failing the bar? I really want to do this program as it's my last chance to do it before beginning work, and to live in another city. But I also don't want to put my bar passage at risk.
How intensive is NY bar prep? Forum
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Lincoln
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Re: How intensive is NY bar prep?
For the love of god, do not do that course. You will have no chance to complete that bar prep course with 9-5 being devoted to something else. That may end up being fine, but it would be crazy stressful, and if you fail you'll be kicking yourself.
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KTnKT
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Re: How intensive is NY bar prep?
Well, plenty of people work full time while studying for the bar. However, most of us would have killed to not have the stress.
Can you do it and pass? Sure. But you'd have to want it pretty darn bad. Both the class and to pass.
Personally, I'd just pick one.
Can you do it and pass? Sure. But you'd have to want it pretty darn bad. Both the class and to pass.
Personally, I'd just pick one.
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THE_U
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Re: How intensive is NY bar prep?
Did you go to law school to become a licensed attorney or not?
Seriously, if the answer is "yes" then there is nothing more important than doing everything you can to get that license. I cannot comprehend how you are even entertaining the idea of taking some bs course (by your own admission) rather than buckling down during the most intensive and important part of bar-prep.
I'd bet that 99% of us wanted to do other, fun things while studying for the bar, that we will never be able to do in the foreseeable future. But what is more important?
Seriously, if the answer is "yes" then there is nothing more important than doing everything you can to get that license. I cannot comprehend how you are even entertaining the idea of taking some bs course (by your own admission) rather than buckling down during the most intensive and important part of bar-prep.
I'd bet that 99% of us wanted to do other, fun things while studying for the bar, that we will never be able to do in the foreseeable future. But what is more important?
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northwood
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Re: How intensive is NY bar prep?
To answer your question:
You should treat studying for the bar exam as your primary full time job (i.e. 9-5 M-F at least). This goes for ALL BAR EXAMS
If you take both the course and prep for the bar you will risk failing both the course and the bar exam.
Pick one but not both.
You should treat studying for the bar exam as your primary full time job (i.e. 9-5 M-F at least). This goes for ALL BAR EXAMS
If you take both the course and prep for the bar you will risk failing both the course and the bar exam.
Pick one but not both.
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bklynattorney
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Re: How intensive is NY bar prep?
It can be done, but I'd think long and hard about taking that summer course. When I took the NY Bar (July 2014 . . . yes, the "old" exam, not that this makes a difference to answering this post), I worked full time as a law clerk in Michigan; I needed the money, so not working wasn't an option for me. While you'll technically have time to devote to bar prep after working a 9-5, you may very well find that doing other things after work is very difficult to do. Indeed, there was a LOT of the course that I wasn't able to/didn't finish due to me just being exhausted/lazy after work and not wanting to give up all of my weekends. If you don't have a fairly strong grasp of the materials (much of the Kaplan course was a refresher for me), then I'd really think long and hard before committing to that summer course.
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Lyonsoccer87
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Re: How intensive is NY bar prep?
I took the NY Bar exam in 2014. I think the amount of paranoia surrounding the bar exam is outrageous/understandable. When I took the NY Bar, I was getting ready to start an LL.M. so there wasn't a job on the line. I decided to self study and to watch every single game of the world cup (I'm a big soccer fan). I got some old books and actually studied for about 20 days before the exam and passed. The key is that you ACTUALLY study during the time you set aside for the bar. I think a lot of ppl mess around on FB and take 12 breaks and then brag about spending all day studing.
Since then, I had to take another Bar exam (this year actually, found out i passed today). This time I was working full time at a law firm. Again, I chose not to pay the ridiculous 3700 fee for barbri and spent about three weeks max studying and passed. My strategy was to focus 100% of the time on the MBE because the essays will overlap with the same subjects and you can look over the distinctions.
Having said this, I completely understand why people spend so much time and money studying. It is an important test and a lot is on the line. I wouldn't have had the courage to do what I did if it weren't for the fact that I was presented with an opp to take the bar exam in a low pressure situation. Gluck.
Since then, I had to take another Bar exam (this year actually, found out i passed today). This time I was working full time at a law firm. Again, I chose not to pay the ridiculous 3700 fee for barbri and spent about three weeks max studying and passed. My strategy was to focus 100% of the time on the MBE because the essays will overlap with the same subjects and you can look over the distinctions.
Having said this, I completely understand why people spend so much time and money studying. It is an important test and a lot is on the line. I wouldn't have had the courage to do what I did if it weren't for the fact that I was presented with an opp to take the bar exam in a low pressure situation. Gluck.
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Bexy73
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Re: How intensive is NY bar prep?
If you want to be in NY for the summer, you can always make plans to take your bar prep course there. You'll have some free time to do social things, like dinner with friends after you are done studying for the day, but not much else. I would strongly recommend that you not commit to a summer course while taking the bar. You really can't anticipate how you'll react to the stress. Some people handle it fine, but in my experience, those people commit to only studying for the bar during the preparation period. The people that I knew that had other commitments ended up struggling - some even failed. Do yourself a favor, and if you have the luxury of not working, give yourself the time you need so you only have to take the exam once.
