Bar Prep Class & Test Fees
Donation protected
At the age of 42 I took a giant leap of faith and applied to law school. I wanted to achieve my lifelong dream of being a lawyer. I knew I wanted to be a lawyer when I was 9 years old, when I was thrust into the legal system because I was kidnapped. After that experience, I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to be the voice for others who could not speak for themselves.
I graduated from Law School on April 26th, 2014, and as excited and proud as I am, I am also haunted by the idea that I will not pass the bar exam - rendering the past three years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans - a total waste of time because I cannot afford the cost of a Bar preparation class. Studies show that people who do not take a preparation class have a lower pass rate. The cost of the Bar preparation class and fees is approximately $3,500.
I took the July Bar in Arizona - but I did so without the benefit of a preparation class. I won't know how I did until October. In the meantime, I am preparing to retake the Bar in February, 2015
For those who do not know anyone who has ever taken the bar exam, it is a two day test that one must pass in order to become a licensed attorney. The cost of my Bar preparation class is approximatly $2,650. The lectures are between 3 and 4 hours each, five to six days per week, and expected outside of class study time (taking practice questions/tests, outlining, memorizing) to be 8 to 10 hours per day. We are told to treat bar study as if it were our full time job. Many people do not work while studying for the Bar, but I do not have that option.
Asking for help is not something I do proudly. It is not something I am used to. It takes humility and courage, but I am, quite literally, prepared to beg.
I do not have family that can help me with these costs. I have tried everything I can get the funds. I applied for private loans (they offer these loans specifically for bar sitters, like me) and while I had a full time job at the time - and the ability to repay the loan - my student loans, house payment, bills, etc. have rendered me over-extended credit-wise.
Unfortunately for me, I was terminated from my job after nine and a half years, further hindering my ability to take care of my family and pay my own way. I have now gained employment at substantially less per year than I was making. I went two months without income and so now, on top of everything else, I'm trying to catch up on bills and save for Bar prep.
I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was very young so that I could help people who didn't have the voice to help themselves. I have put myself through undergrad and law school, all while working full time and raising a family. Law school took a huge toll on my marriage and my family and we survived it together. To get this close to my dream is so very special to me. I want to make my kids proud. I want to be proud of myself. Please help me in any way you can. I appreciate YOU more than you will ever know or realize.
Thank YOU for taking the time to read my plea and sharing it with others if you see fit.
Margie
I graduated from Law School on April 26th, 2014, and as excited and proud as I am, I am also haunted by the idea that I will not pass the bar exam - rendering the past three years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans - a total waste of time because I cannot afford the cost of a Bar preparation class. Studies show that people who do not take a preparation class have a lower pass rate. The cost of the Bar preparation class and fees is approximately $3,500.
I took the July Bar in Arizona - but I did so without the benefit of a preparation class. I won't know how I did until October. In the meantime, I am preparing to retake the Bar in February, 2015
For those who do not know anyone who has ever taken the bar exam, it is a two day test that one must pass in order to become a licensed attorney. The cost of my Bar preparation class is approximatly $2,650. The lectures are between 3 and 4 hours each, five to six days per week, and expected outside of class study time (taking practice questions/tests, outlining, memorizing) to be 8 to 10 hours per day. We are told to treat bar study as if it were our full time job. Many people do not work while studying for the Bar, but I do not have that option.
Asking for help is not something I do proudly. It is not something I am used to. It takes humility and courage, but I am, quite literally, prepared to beg.
I do not have family that can help me with these costs. I have tried everything I can get the funds. I applied for private loans (they offer these loans specifically for bar sitters, like me) and while I had a full time job at the time - and the ability to repay the loan - my student loans, house payment, bills, etc. have rendered me over-extended credit-wise.
Unfortunately for me, I was terminated from my job after nine and a half years, further hindering my ability to take care of my family and pay my own way. I have now gained employment at substantially less per year than I was making. I went two months without income and so now, on top of everything else, I'm trying to catch up on bills and save for Bar prep.
I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was very young so that I could help people who didn't have the voice to help themselves. I have put myself through undergrad and law school, all while working full time and raising a family. Law school took a huge toll on my marriage and my family and we survived it together. To get this close to my dream is so very special to me. I want to make my kids proud. I want to be proud of myself. Please help me in any way you can. I appreciate YOU more than you will ever know or realize.
Thank YOU for taking the time to read my plea and sharing it with others if you see fit.
Margie
Organizer
Stella Dean
Organizer
Clearfield, UT
