Dean’s Bar Taker Webinar – Journey to #OneAndDone

Attention all prospective December 2023, May 2024, and August 2024 graduates, SAVE THE DATE! The Dean’s Bar Taker Webinar will be on Monday, October 30, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:55 p.m.

Please join Dean Barros and Professor Alicia Jackson, Director of Academic Success and Bar Preparation, for a discussion and meaningful suggestions on what students can do NOW to prepare for the bar exam. The panel will discuss resources provided through our Bar Prep Plus program. We will also share data about bar passage including how engaging with a bar review course impacts relative performance on the bar exam. Recent Florida bar exam high scorer and Stetson graduate Sean Caufield is also on the panel to share his experience preparing for the July 2023 bar exam.

It is critically important for December 2023 graduates to attend and hear about updates to the bar exam and the resources available to assist as you prepare for the February 2024 bar exam. Prospective May 2024 and August 2024 graduates are also invited to attend. It is never too early to begin planning for the bar exam.

If you have general questions, email [email protected] with the subject line “Questions for 2024 Bar Exam Webinar,” and we will address them during the webinar.

Please click the webinar link below to join the webinar.

https://stetson-edu.zoom.us/j/91080657499?pwd=UW5Od25wZzdRVGNmV1g5V2dJb3QzZz09

Upper-Level Student Bar Application and Conversion Workshop

Calling all 2Ls, 3Ls, and 4Ls!!

Are you an upper-level student and have questions about the Florida bar application submission, clearance, and conversion process?

Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services invites you to attend the Upper-Level Student Bar Application and Conversion Workshop on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM in the Great Hall.

This workshop is specifically designed for upper-level law students ONLY. There is a separate workshop session for entering Fall 2023 1Ls.

The Executive Director of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners will be presenting during the workshop. She will address many of the commonly asked questions, including:

1. I applied as a 1L, what is the next step?

2. How do I “convert” my 1L application to an exam application?

3. I did not apply as a 1L, how do I get started?

4. I am graduating soon, when do I get my exam ticket?

5. I am concerned about the mental health questions in the application. What am I required disclose?

6. What are the application fees?

7. What is the timeline for character and fitness clearance for CLI and to sit for the bar exam?

8. I am unsure about the substance use questions. How should I proceed?

There will also be time reserved at the end of the presentation for questions. If you are not on campus that day, you can attend remotely using the Zoom webinar link below.

https://stetson-edu.zoom.us/j/98066187972?pwd=UElZLzVhc24rUDgwYjhXUFM2QmwwQT09

You are also encouraged to take advantage of the bar application resources available on demand on the Stetson Bar Prep Portal, including the Bar Application Toolkit, Bar Exam Timeline, Guide to Substance Use and Mental Health Bar Application Questions.

Other helpful resources on are located on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners website, including the Checklist to Convert a Student Registration (if you filed as a 1L) and Checklist to File a Bar Application (if you did not previously file.)

If you have general questions, we are here to help, contact us at [email protected]. If you have questions specific to your Florida bar application or FBBE applicant portal account, feel free to contact the FBBE at (850) 487-1292 or post a message in your FBBE applicant portal account.

We look forward to seeing you at the workshop!

–Your Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services Team

MANDATORY 1L Bar Application Workshop

The Supreme Court of Florida allows new law students to begin the bar admissions process through the Student Registration program administered by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. You can begin the bar admissions process and pursue clearance for eligibility to participate in the Certified Legal Internship program.

Stetson requires all new law students starting classes in August to register and attend the Mandatory 1L Bar Application Workshop. The workshop is hosted by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners (FBBE), and the presenters are FBBE staff and FBBE board members. Even if you are considering taking the bar exam in another jurisdiction or are not planning to take a state bar exam, you are required to attend the workshop. The workshop will focus on what you can do during your first year of law school to begin the bar application process in Florida, including the detailed application process, timelines, and fees.

The workshop will take place Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in the Great Hall. There are three separate sessions; you can choose the best session for your schedule.

Session #1	12:00 PM – 12:55 PM
Session #2	3:00 PM – 3:55 PM
Session #3	6:00 PM – 6:55 PM

All three sessions will be administered in person. However, a limited number of students will be permitted to attend each session due to space limitations. While registering, you will be prompted to select a session, and once a session is full, you will have to select an available session(s). All full-time students are required to attend in person. Due to scheduling, part-time students can attend in person or remotely. After registration closes on August 31, 2023, part-time students who register for the remote session will receive additional instructions for accessing the 6:00 PM remote session.

Before attending the workshop, students are strongly encouraged to review the FBBE 1L Registrant webpage, which contains specific instructions on submitting the application and a helpful checklist. Additional guidance can be found in the Stetson Bar Prep Toolkit: The FL Bar Application.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE WORKSHOP! The workshop registration deadline is Thursday, August 31, 2023. Register HERE. Space in each session is limited, so do not delay; register today! Once a session fills up, you will be prompted to register for one of the remaining sessions.

MANDATORY 1L Bar Application Workshop

The workshop will take place Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in the Great Hall. There are three separate sessions; you can choose the best session for your schedule.

Session #1	12:00 PM – 12:55 PM
Session #2	3:00 PM – 3:55 PM
Session #3	6:00 PM – 6:55 PM

MANDATORY 1L Bar Application Workshop

The workshop will take place Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in the Great Hall. There are three separate sessions; you can choose the best session for your schedule.

Session #1	12:00 PM – 12:55 PM
Session #2	3:00 PM – 3:55 PM
Session #3	6:00 PM – 6:55 PM

July 2023 Bar Exam: DID YOU KNOW? (Tips #9-12)

Stetson is 100% committed to your success on the bar exam!

To assist you in gearing up for the July 2023 bar exam, Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services will send you routine “Did You Know” emails with critical reminders, tips, and strategies. It is imperative that you review these emails carefully and respond accordingly. Tips #9-12 are below.

DID YOU KNOW…

1. You have access to the AdaptiBar Course Simulator.

a. To further support your bar exam readiness, you received an email in August 2022 announcing that you had been enrolled in the AdaptiBar course, FREE of charge. Former Stetson bar takers have touted access to AdaptiBar as an extremely useful bar exam preparation tool, so we are excited to provide it to you as a courtesy of the College of Law.

b. TIP #9: Starting using AdaptiBar now. Remember tip #5, start early! The AdaptiBar simulator features nearly every licensed MBE question from past bar exams released by the NCBE—including the newest release of 200 licensed questions. You will also receive a bonus subscription to the AdaptiBar Smart access to 2,000+ online flashcards covering all 7 MBE subjects.

c. Highlights of the AdaptiBar course include: Mobile App, Every licensed MBE question, Practice questions & practice exams modes, Detailed explanations

If you are enrolled in Multistate Strategies (MSS) you can use AdaptiBar for additional practice to supplement the existing course material. If you are not enrolled in MSS, you can choose the AdaptiBar practice mode and start completing practice questions on your own. We suggest starting with the subject and rule areas you believe need the most review and remediation. If you are unsure where to begin in AdaptiBar, we recommend you complete a comprehensive assessment first (see tip #10 for the Baseline Exam below.)

2. You have access to the BARBRI Early Start course and Baseline Assessment Test.

a. As a Stetson student, like AdaptiBar, you have FREE access to the BARBRI Early Start and the Baseline Exam. They are designed to help you optimize your MBE score.The goal of effective early bar exam preparation is both assessing your strength and weaknesses and lengthening your bar exam preparation runway. With that in mind, you are strongly encouraged to complete the Baseline Exam and Early Start before starting bar prep.

b. TIP #10: Take the BARBRI Baseline Exam. The Baseline Exam is a 70-question assessment designed to help you identify both strengths and weaknesses. It will also provide you with a personalized report with suggested study strategies.

c. TIP #11: Complete the BARBRI Early Start Course. Early Start is an on-demand, self-directed experience that teaches you essential bar exam skills and doctrine early through two Immersion workshops, MBE Immersion and Essay Immersion. Over the course of MBE Immersion, you will learn BARBRI’s Systematic Problem Solving strategy, complete practice MBE questions, and review substantive law. Essay Immersion will give you an overview of the differences between law school essays and bar exam essays.

3. Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services is currently hosting individual bar conferences.

a. SAVE THE DATES: Graduation and the start of the bar review study period are quickly approaching, but you are not alone, we are here to help!

b. TIP #12: You are strongly encouraged to schedule a bar preparation planning conference with Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services. Scheduling a conference is easy. STEP #1: Complete the BAR INFORMATION FORM and submit it upon completion. STEP #2: Check below for the first initial in your last name and click the correct link to schedule a conference.

Last Name	Appointment Link
A-L	CLICK HERE FOR A-L
M-Z	CLICK HERE FOR M-Z

Make note of the tips above and ACT NOW!

Stay tuned for more DID YOU KNOW emails!

#OneAndDone

July 2023 Bar Exam: DID YOU KNOW?

Hello Prospective May 2023 Graduates,

Stetson is 100% committed to your success on the bar exam!

DID YOU KNOW…

1. It is estimated that bar takers spend approximately 500 hours preparing for the bar exam.

a. SAVE THE DATES: The July 2023 bar exam is Tuesday, July 25, 2023 and Wednesday, July 26, 2023. It is important to note, the Stetson College of Law commencement is Saturday, May 13, 2023, and the 10-week bar review study period begins Monday, May 15, 2023.

b. TIP #5: Start early. The bar study period is typically 10 calendar weeks, which means approximately 50 hours a week is spent on bar preparation study activities to accomplish the 500 hour goal. These study activities are different from law school and require strategic planning and execution to ensure adequate coverage of the various subjects (your bar review course is designed to help you accomplish that goal.) Bar study activities include, watching subject matter review lectures, completing and then reviewing practice questions (essays and multiple choice), reviewing specific areas in need of additional remediation after completing assessments, taking practice tests, etc. While this appears to be a large number of hours, it is doable if you plan well and starting early is key. If you are working during bar preparation, talk to your workplace in advance about arranging for time off or an alternative work schedule that will allow for time to study. Some bar takers have taken one (or more) days off per week and devote that time to the bulk of their studies, or they study in the evening and on the weekend and request a large block of time off in the weeks right before the exam. Even if you are not planning to work during the 10-week period, you should still start early if you can. Bar takers have found starting early extremely beneficial and can help you to remain on track if something unexpected happens during the bar prep study period. See tip#2 from last week about avoiding planning long trips before and during the bar prep study period.

c. TIP #6: Develop your study plan now. Print out a blank calendar. Work backwards from the date of your bar exam (July 25-26, 2023) to fill in how many hours per day and week you plan to study until you reach 500 hours. Be sure to take into account obligations that cannot be skipped. This will give you YOUR start date. 50 hours a week is a lot. Again, you are encouraged to start even if you don’t have other obligations. Either way, make sure you have a plan in place well before graduation! Have you looked at the ASBP Bar Prep Toolkit: When , Where, and Why? If not, click HERE.

2. Save now for bar related expenses $$$. Taking the bar exam can be EXPENSIVE!

a. TIP #7: If you have not developed a budget for bar prep, do it now. As family and friends start to ask you about desired graduation gifts, you may want to consider requesting they contribute to your bar study fund as one way to help defray costs. Bar related expenses to consider include (but is not limited to):

The costs associated with submitting your bar application or conversion fee for your bar application.
The cost of a complete commercial bar review course.
The cost of living expenses during the bar prep study period (e.g., groceries, mortgage/rent, utilities, car payment, credit card/loan debt payments, childcare, health care related expenses, etc.)
Hotel costs for staying overnight in Tampa and lunch costs for both days of the exam.

3. Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services is currently hosting individual bar conferences.

SAVE THE DATES: Graduation and the start of the bar review study period are quickly approaching, but you are not alone, we are here to help!
TIP #8: You are strongly encouraged to schedule a bar preparation planning conference with Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services. Scheduling a conference is easy. STEP #1: Complete the BAR INFORMATION FORM and submit it upon completion. STEP #2: Check below for the first initial in your last name and click the correct link to schedule a conference.

Last Name	Appointment Link
A-L	CLICK HERE FOR A-L
M-Z	CLICK HERE FOR M-Z

Make note of the tips above and ACT NOW!

Stay tuned for more DID YOU KNOW emails!

#OneAndDone

3Ls – Schedule Your Bar Conference Today!

Graduation will be here before you know it, so start planning today. Bar conferences are underway. If you have not scheduled your individual bar planning conference, be sure to do so right away!

STEP 1: Complete the Bar Information Form and submit. STEP 2: Next, if the first initial in your last name is A-L click HERE to schedule a conference or M-Z, click HERE to schedule a conference.

Should you have any questions, please let us know. We can be reached at [email protected].

We look forward to working with you!

Your Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services Team