J. Louis May over The Legal Scoop has this good rundown of the challenges of course selection (something many of us here at Fight The Hypo are grappling with). The primary issue being: Do I take a course that’s not required but is tested on the Bar or should I pursue classes more directly relate to where I intend to practice or classes I’m more interested in?
He writes:
So, what is the “right way” to plan your legal education? I admit that my degree has been highly focused on preparation to litigate. I have taken courses such as Interviewing & Counseling, Negotiations & Dispute Resolutions, Evidence, Trial Practice and Mediation Clinic. As a result, I feel that I’m prepared for my role as an advocate for my clients. What I am not prepared for is the Comprehensive Tennessee Bar Exam. Conspicuously absent from my transcript are such fundamentals as Business Associations, Mergers & Acquisitions or Tax Law. The result? This summer, and the BAR/BRI process will be a daunting and critical process. I’d be hard pressed to define exactly what it means to be a “fiduciary” or what duties accompany such a title.
Those of you who are just setting out on your law school adventure, keep these things in mind. If someone had really discussed the realities of my course scheduling with me my first year, I’d have thought twice before excitedly joining the advocacy concentration.
Note also this previous post on The Legal Scoop blog.
No related posts.
Don’t forget to factor in how the professor must grade…that was one of my many frustrations with my time at Catholic…most of the non-bar, specialty courses that Catholic offers dont require the professors to abide by the upper class curve (in other words, ridiculous grade inflation)….the class on the classic bar subjects, however, almost always grade on the curve where you must scratch and claw to keep your gpa where you want it
and they wonder why our bar passage rate is so embarassing
So Mojo, the question then becomes this; is it better to pad your GPA or to take the bar prep course of study? In your experience, do employers care?