Law School Prep Programs Forum

[wilfred]

What's the consensus out there regarding prep programs? I don't plan to do the Barbri Law Preview course, but I have been looking at KTCOOLS as a means for getting a jump on 1L year. Is it worth the money? Would I be better served by just purchasing a few books to read? I'm certain that some will argue that no prep is necessary, and that may be the case, but I'd really rather not loaf around for the entire summer either. Any help at all would be much appreciated.

[Aeon]

I wouldn't do any substantive reading over the summer, since you'll have plenty of time for that once classes start. Not to mention that you can't be sure on which particular topics your professors will focus.

The book Getting to Maybe is highly recommended. While not subject-specific, it discusses strategies for what to do during the semester and how to prepare for and take law school exams.

Before starting, I had read Getting to Maybe and also went through the LEEWS (Law Essay Exam Writing System) audio program. LEEWS walks you through the nitty-gritty of how to read cases, how to take notes and outline, and how to approach exams. It was useful getting that overview before classes began, because you're often thrown right into things without much of an explanation of what to expect and how to prepare. The advice that many law students receive about laboriously briefing cases is often counterproductive, as there are considerably more efficient ways of preparing, and LEEWS tells you how to do that. I also found it helpful to review again, closer to exam time, the parts of the LEEWS primer accompanying the CDs that dealt with exam-taking strategies.

Some people think LEEWS doesn't add much value, and others swear by it. Personally, I found it very helpful, as it provided a method to the madness and reduced some of the anxiety that accompanies 1L year.

[Damage Over Time]

+1 on Getting to Maybe

[Barack O'Drama]

+1 on Getting to Maybe

[twokings]

Is LEEWS still in business?

[wilfred]

Is LEEWS still in business?

LEEWS still has a website and it appears that one can still order the audio CD. It doesn't look like there are any live events, for whatever that may be worth

[wilfred]

I wouldn't do any substantive reading over the summer, since you'll have plenty of time for that once classes start. Not to mention that you can't be sure on which particular topics your professors will focus.

The book Getting to Maybe is highly recommended. While not subject-specific, it discusses strategies for what to do during the semester and how to prepare for and take law school exams.

Before starting, I had read Getting to Maybe and also went through the LEEWS (Law Essay Exam Writing System) audio program. LEEWS walks you through the nitty-gritty of how to read cases, how to take notes and outline, and how to approach exams. It was useful getting that overview before classes began, because you're often thrown right into things without much of an explanation of what to expect and how to prepare. The advice that many law students receive about laboriously briefing cases is often counterproductive, as there are considerably more efficient ways of preparing, and LEEWS tells you how to do that. I also found it helpful to review again, closer to exam time, the parts of the LEEWS primer accompanying the CDs that dealt with exam-taking strategies.

Some people think LEEWS doesn't add much value, and others swear by it. Personally, I found it very helpful, as it provided a method to the madness and reduced some of the anxiety that accompanies 1L year.

This is very helpful, I'll order Getting to Maybe without a doubt. I'm looking into LEEWS, thanks for the information! I'm wondering if there is someone around who might be willing to let go of a used copy