Showing posts with label Big Bad Bar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Bad Bar. Show all posts
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Countdown
I have been trying to avoid thoughts of the bar with little success. Now that just about everyone has heard their fate (including my friends from New York), it is impossible to ignore. Every day something or someone triggers bar thoughts that send waves of anxiety through my body. I don't know how I managed to stop thinking about the bar for a few months. Although I don't feel like I failed, I don't feel certain that I passed either. I am just hoping that all of us in California get some good news soon. I am also hoping that I never have to do all this again.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Charge It!
Although I am not yet done with finals, I have been out shopping. Given that it should be fairly warm in the East Bay this summer and air conditioning is scarce, I thought I should get a whole new cool and comfortable wardrobe. Every time I pick through a clothes rack and pick another thing to buy I think, "you should buy this, it will help you pass the bar". While I hardly need an excuse to shop, I love using this rationale in my head. Yes, you "need" those shorts. How can you concentrate in Barbri if you don't have a cute pair of shorts that keep you cool and match the new top you bought? It makes sense to me. I blame the blog, a girl walks into a bar exam for giving me the idea.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Buyers Remorse
Within hours of making my final payment for the PMBR course, I am starting to regret it. Almost everyone I have talked to recently has said it was a waste of time because you simply do a bunch of MBE questions even though you don't know the law yet. How much can you honestly learn about your weaknesses if everything is a weakness? It sure seems like I am spending a lot of money to take tests that are easily available in the PMBR books for a much lower price. Still, I can't bring myself to cancel the payment. I am definitely suffering from pack mentality and will do just about anything to pass.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Morally Challenged
Unlike many of my other friends I am just getting around to finishing my moral character application for the bar. As I feared it has been very difficult to remember all the jobs I have held and where I have lived over the past years. I am curious to know how closely they scrutinize the application. Last year at least one of my friends had their application sent back because it did not have enough detailed employment information. I hope that will not happen to me.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Obsessed
I can't explain it but I am starting to get obsessed with the bar. Maybe I feel like I will be in greater control of my destiny if I know all the deadlines and important information. In any event I have come across some great resources. Below is some very helpful information for 3Ls to keep in mind. Don't be scared. Knowledge is power. (At least that is what I am going to tell myself)
GUIDANCE ON DATES, APPLICATIONS & FEES REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE CALIFORNIA BAR°
Registration with the Committee of Bar Examiners: Students must register with the California Committee of Bar Examiners as a law student. You likely did this during the first 90 days of our first year of law school. If you did not, you can still register, but you will be charged a late registration fee. Students can register on-line through the California Bar web site, www.calbar.ca.gov.
When: First year/NOW
Cost: $92 + late registration fee
Website: http://calbar.xap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Registration/default.asp
Application for the Determination of Moral Character: A positive moral character determination is a prerequisite to being admitted to the bar and practicing law in California. The filing of the moral character application begins the process of character investigation which generally takes four to six months to complete, but could possibly take longer.
When: Now (at least 8 months prior to date you expect to be admitted to practice law in CA)
Cost: $431
Website: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=3084
The California Bar also requires that all applicants to the practice of law be fingerprinted. Applicants are required to submit fingerprints through the Live Scan system with the application for Moral Character Determination. A list of agencies providing the Live Scan fingerprinting service can be found at the California Attorney General - Department of Justice website: http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm.
Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE): This examination is administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and is one of the requirements for admission to practice law in California (and in all but 3 of the other U.S. jurisdictions). The next test date is March 8, 2008. The regular registration deadline for the March MPRE will probably be in January. Note: It is necessary that you request that NCBE report your score to the California Committee of Bar Examiners.
When: Register in January; take exam in March (if not already completed and passed)
Cost: $55 ($110 for late applications)
Website: http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/guidelines/dates/ and https://secureweb01.act.org/mpre/goFaq.do
Bar Examination Application: Students graduating from law school must file an application to sit for the bar examination in California.
When: Application available March 3, 2008; timely filing April 1, 2008
Cost: $529
Website: http://calbar.xap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Exam/default.asp (this website is for the February Exam, but should be updated after the new year for the July Exam)
Laptop Certification: If you plan to use a computer for the essay portion of the exam you must apply for laptop certification. There are a number of steps that you’ll have to follow in order to register with the exam software. The link below is to the Feb. 2008 bulletin. There will be an updated bulletin for laptop users that will post for the July 2008 exam. Keep your eyes out when you complete your bar examination application in the spring.
When: March? (I think this application is available when you register to take the bar)
Cost: $119 ($15 late fee)
Website: http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/GBX_laptopbull.pdf
Testing Accommodations for the Bar Examination: Students who have received examination accommodations while attending law school must petition the Committee of Bar Examiners to receive accommodations for the Bar Examination. Students may petition the Bar any time after having registered with the Bar, and the Committee of Bar Examiners strongly encourages students to file their petitions no later than the beginning of the last year of study.
When: NOW, if applicable.
Website: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=1015
Comply with California court-ordered child or family support obligations (if applicable): Applicants who have met all other requirements but who have been certified by the State Department of Social Services as being in non-compliance with court ordered child or family support will not be certified to the Supreme Court as qualified to practice law in California unless the appropriate release has been obtained.
When: NOW, if applicable.
Website: www.calbar.ca.gov
VERY HELPFUL WEBSITES:
State Bar Admissions General Information: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115
Summary of Requirements for Admission to Practice Law in California: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=3922
Applications/Forms:
http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=1006
Bar Examination Information (for Feb. 2008 bar – to be updated):
http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/GBX/CBX_INFO.pdf
Additional information and the application form can be found under Bar Exam Admissions at www.calbar.ca.gov.
Scholarship from ABA: http://www.abanet.org/lsd/bar-bri.pdf
° THIS IS SEPARATE FROM ANY REGISTRATION DATES FOR EXAM PREP COURSES AND IS NOT INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR OWN RESEARCH. GUIDELINES ARE BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED AS OF OCT. 29, 2008 AND MAY NOT BE COMPLETE.
GUIDANCE ON DATES, APPLICATIONS & FEES REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE CALIFORNIA BAR°
Registration with the Committee of Bar Examiners: Students must register with the California Committee of Bar Examiners as a law student. You likely did this during the first 90 days of our first year of law school. If you did not, you can still register, but you will be charged a late registration fee. Students can register on-line through the California Bar web site, www.calbar.ca.gov.
When: First year/NOW
Cost: $92 + late registration fee
Website: http://calbar.xap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Registration/default.asp
Application for the Determination of Moral Character: A positive moral character determination is a prerequisite to being admitted to the bar and practicing law in California. The filing of the moral character application begins the process of character investigation which generally takes four to six months to complete, but could possibly take longer.
When: Now (at least 8 months prior to date you expect to be admitted to practice law in CA)
Cost: $431
Website: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=3084
The California Bar also requires that all applicants to the practice of law be fingerprinted. Applicants are required to submit fingerprints through the Live Scan system with the application for Moral Character Determination. A list of agencies providing the Live Scan fingerprinting service can be found at the California Attorney General - Department of Justice website: http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm.
Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE): This examination is administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and is one of the requirements for admission to practice law in California (and in all but 3 of the other U.S. jurisdictions). The next test date is March 8, 2008. The regular registration deadline for the March MPRE will probably be in January. Note: It is necessary that you request that NCBE report your score to the California Committee of Bar Examiners.
When: Register in January; take exam in March (if not already completed and passed)
Cost: $55 ($110 for late applications)
Website: http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/guidelines/dates/ and https://secureweb01.act.org/mpre/goFaq.do
Bar Examination Application: Students graduating from law school must file an application to sit for the bar examination in California.
When: Application available March 3, 2008; timely filing April 1, 2008
Cost: $529
Website: http://calbar.xap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Exam/default.asp (this website is for the February Exam, but should be updated after the new year for the July Exam)
Laptop Certification: If you plan to use a computer for the essay portion of the exam you must apply for laptop certification. There are a number of steps that you’ll have to follow in order to register with the exam software. The link below is to the Feb. 2008 bulletin. There will be an updated bulletin for laptop users that will post for the July 2008 exam. Keep your eyes out when you complete your bar examination application in the spring.
When: March? (I think this application is available when you register to take the bar)
Cost: $119 ($15 late fee)
Website: http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/GBX_laptopbull.pdf
Testing Accommodations for the Bar Examination: Students who have received examination accommodations while attending law school must petition the Committee of Bar Examiners to receive accommodations for the Bar Examination. Students may petition the Bar any time after having registered with the Bar, and the Committee of Bar Examiners strongly encourages students to file their petitions no later than the beginning of the last year of study.
When: NOW, if applicable.
Website: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=1015
Comply with California court-ordered child or family support obligations (if applicable): Applicants who have met all other requirements but who have been certified by the State Department of Social Services as being in non-compliance with court ordered child or family support will not be certified to the Supreme Court as qualified to practice law in California unless the appropriate release has been obtained.
When: NOW, if applicable.
Website: www.calbar.ca.gov
VERY HELPFUL WEBSITES:
State Bar Admissions General Information: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115
Summary of Requirements for Admission to Practice Law in California: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=3922
Applications/Forms:
http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=1006
Bar Examination Information (for Feb. 2008 bar – to be updated):
http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/GBX/CBX_INFO.pdf
Additional information and the application form can be found under Bar Exam Admissions at www.calbar.ca.gov.
Scholarship from ABA: http://www.abanet.org/lsd/bar-bri.pdf
° THIS IS SEPARATE FROM ANY REGISTRATION DATES FOR EXAM PREP COURSES AND IS NOT INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR OWN RESEARCH. GUIDELINES ARE BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED AS OF OCT. 29, 2008 AND MAY NOT BE COMPLETE.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
19 Hours Away
In a mere 19 hours a bunch of my friends will find out if they passed the bar. I truly hope they all passed and that Friday night will be a time of celebration for most if not all. I can't even imagine what it must be like to wait for the bar results. It seems particularly crappy for the California State Bar to make them wait until 6pm when the scores are obviously available earlier in the day. I seriously doubt that anyone waiting for their results is going to be productive at work anyway.
It is actually a little scary to watch all my friends worry and stress about getting their results. Unfortunately, I'll be in the same place this time next year.
It is actually a little scary to watch all my friends worry and stress about getting their results. Unfortunately, I'll be in the same place this time next year.
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