Should Law Schools Have a Minimum Bar Passage Rate?
Great question, Beau! The answer is yes, they should.
The State of Legal Education and Bar Pass Rates
Unfortunately, a surprising truth exists in the world of law education: no law school, not even the prestigious Harvard Law or Vanderbilt Law, where I attended, really excels in preparing their students for the bar exam. This preparation is crucial, as it can significantly impact a student's career and future in the legal profession. Most graduates need to invest an additional $4,000 in a bar prep course like BarBri after their three years of law school.
If you plan to attend law school, it is advisable to focus early on the subjects that will be tested on the bar exam. A comprehensive review throughout your law school years can help you pass the exam more smoothly. Unfortunately, until law schools enhance their curriculums, you may need to engage in additional study through a bar refresher course.
These issues are thoroughly discussed in my Amazon bestseller, “Most Law School Advice Is Bullsht”. The book delves into why current law school rankings are flawed and provides practical advice on how to choose the right law school and navigate your academic journey.
Requiring High Bar Passage Rates: The Accreditations Perspective
Having a robust bar pass rate is not just a moral obligation; it is a requirement for maintaining accreditation. The standard for accreditation includes more nuanced requirements, primarily aimed at ensuring law schools provide quality education leading to successful bar passage. There are two main prongs:
Maintaining a greater than 75% bar passage rate over certain time periods. Not being more than 15 percentage points lower than the average of other accredited law schools in the same jurisdiction.Failure to meet these requirements could result in accreditation issues, especially if the bar exam is particularly challenging. This is a stipulation that affects all law schools within a jurisdiction.
Implications for Law School Students and Institutions
Law schools with low bar pass rates are typically characterized by a few common issues:
Admitting students with very low LSAT scores and poor undergraduate grades. Ineffectively preparing these students for the bar exam. Accepting students who do not intend to practice law but are merely interested in the field.While having non-intending students among your peers is not uncommon, they generally do not sit for the bar exam. Given the significant time and financial investment in law school, it is rare to encounter students who do not aspire to practice law upon graduation.
Law schools that consistently struggle to meet the bar pass rate requirements risk losing accreditation, which can have severe repercussions, including reducing their ability to attract top students and funding. Thus, maintaining a high bar passage rate is critical for law schools to ensure their long-term viability and credibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, law schools should have a minimum bar pass rate. This requirement is vital for ensuring quality legal education and upholding the standards of the profession. If you are considering attending law school, it is crucial to understand these factors and prepare accordingly for the challenges of the bar exam.