A Bar Prep Rant

So, here we are less than two weeks out from the bar and I'm terrified and excited about it.  I mean, lets be serious, who wants to take the bar?  I've spent roughly 300hours to date (this is a conservative estimate).  When I say hours, I mean billable hours.  This doesn't include the bathroom breaks, the facebook stalks, the npr reads, the escapes via tv or pleasure reading.  No, this is hard-core studying.  I didn't even know I could study this much for 1 exam.  Psh.  Not to mention that I've done probably over a thousand (yes, 1000+) multiple choice questions and more than 30 practice questions.

Ok, so, I'm reaching or getting close to the "goals" set by the respective courses.  So, that means I should pass, right?  I can only hope. 

Anyway, here is my quick (and semi-biased) review thus far between Themis and BarBri.

                                                                               BarBri vs. Themis show down!

In full disclosure, I chose to use Themis for several reasons over BarBri even though the program isn't well known yet in Florida.  First, its about half of the price.  Second I can live "at home" and do the program.  Third, I can do the program when I want to, and since I'm a notorious night owl/have insomnia its perfect.  And finally, the program allows for different learning styles because of the integration of practice into the lecture and not just before/after lecture. 

Well, the Themis approach has you review material, watch a lecture in a 20-30minute break down do a quick 5-15question assessment of your comprehension and then move on to the next 20-30minute lecture.  This proceeds for about 4hours daily for the first five weeks.  Its tedious and the pace is slightly slower than BarBri. But, it really does hone in the material and nail it into your mind.  

There has only been once where I thought all was lost and I'd never pass.  I've only felt overwhelmed by the amount of work assigned on days where I was catching up from taking a day off.  Additionally, I did better on the practice MBE than the average BarBri taker.  So, after my initial woes and thoughts of doom, I was relieved. 

The last few weeks are spent mostly in review, memorization, and a lot of practice.  (Although, I've also done BarBri questions and additional essays for my school.)  So, all in all, the program is well paced and allows time for you to focus on your needs while still reviewing all of the material.  Oh, they also provide you with a coach that calls, grades your essays, and answers (within 24hours) any questions you have.  This I've found immensely helpful.  

Most, if not all, of my friends are using BarBri.  Everyone I talk to talks about how much they hate driving to lecture, about how the people in class are annoying and distracting, about how they hate watching lecture on tv anyway (although, one girl I know is doing a live session), and about how they hate how much material they're being forced to learn.  I mean, I understand their plight, but with Themis over half of that stress was taken out of the equation. 

One girl I know has cried a few days every week because she is so overwhelmed by BarBri.  Another girl I know is a walking monster because the stress of it all.  I don't think I handle stress THAT much better than them.  I mean, we all made it through law school ok, right?

Ok, BarBri has a coach for their takers, they do a lot of practice questions, and essays too.  Their lectures though are about 4hours long with only a lunch (or dinner if you're in the night session) break.  Thats great if you're a sponge.  I just don't know how anyone can retain that much information in that large of a lump-sum.  Although, if you're one of those geniuses or are more conservative, then go ahead, bring on the 4hour lecture.

Other than that, BarBri produces results.  Most people that use BarBri pass.  But, I've been right on par with their "goals" associated with the MPQs.  So, I think that means Themis works and is going to produce results as well.  The close to the day I get, the better I feel about it.  Maybe I can do this.  Maybe Themis worked just as well.  Maybe...  But, only time will tell.

In other news, I took the Kaplan Practice Bar, the 3-Day Final Review Course.  I scored higher than the average.  So, I feel good about my choice of taking Themis.

As far as I'm concerned, they both work.  They both produce results.  Its a personal choice.  So, future bar takers, weigh all the factors and try them out for the MPRE.  (I used BarBri for the MPRE and got great results)

So, thats my (bias) opinion.