Bar Exam &

Moral Character
Workshop
2018-19
Contents of Packet

Informational Letter from Associate Dean Emily Scivoletto ……………………………….1

Checklist to Practice Law in California……………………………………...….…………….. 2
The State Bar of California Website ……………………………………………………………3
The Moral Character Application ……………………………………………….……………..4
Fingerprinting Information…………………………………………………….……..……….. 9
The California Bar Exam……………………………………………………………………….11
How Does the Bar Exam Test Your Lawyering Skills? ……………………….………….…12
The Bar Exam in Other States………………………………………………………………….14
Information Sheets: Accommodations, Preparing Your Significant Others, Finances During
the Bar, Bar Prep Courses, and Time Management ………………..………………….16 to 21
NOTES ………………...……………………………………………………………………….22

Office for Student Affairs ~ Room 1224 ~ studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu ~ 310-825-4891

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES UCLA

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ

OFFICE OF THE DEAN FOR STUDENTS

SCHOOL OF LAW
BOX 951476
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1476
Phone: (310) 825-4891
Fax: (310) 206-7763

Dear Students:

Thank you for participating in our Bar Exam and Moral Character Workshop. You have done a great
thing for yourself by being here today! Consider yourself in the “planning” stage of bar preparation.
The more you do now to make it easier on yourself later, the better off you will be!

There are many resources and opportunities available to you, to assist you with bar exam preparation.
Our Early Bird Bar Preparation Program during the spring semester brings you substantive and skills
lectures on a variety of topics. Look for more information in January on the Early Bird Bar Program
and bar preparation resources, or contact:

Professor Pavel Wonsowicz

Lecturer in Law
Director, Academic Support Program
wonsowicz@law.ucla.edu

How can I help you?

Over the past twelve years I have worked with 3000+ students, helping them to prepare for the MPRE,
bar exam and moral character applications. I believe I can help you assess where you need to go and
what you need to do to be licensed to practice! Schedule your 15 minute appointment with me now
by emailing studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu (be sure to provide your availability during the week).

I look forward to working with all of you!

Emily Scivoletto

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 CHECKLIST TO PRACTICE LAW IN CALIFORNIA – 2018‐19 
 Register with the State Bar of California as a law student. 
 How do I do that?  Go to http://www.calbarxap.com and click on “Register for the State Bar.”
 Should I have done that a long time ago?  Yes, but it’s okay – no penalty for waiting – but you
should do it now if you haven’t done so already.  California cannot receive your MPRE score 
without you completing this step. 
 How much does it cost?  $119.00
 Register for and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). 
 How do I do that?  Go to www.ncbex.org  to register for the Exam
o STUDY FOR IT!  Bar prep companies have a 20‐25 hour online course, typically for FREE.
o Generally you should be enrolled in or have completed a PR course before taking exam.
 When can I take the exam?  November 10, 2018, March 2019 or August 2019
o Late Registration Deadline for November exam is SEPTEMBER 27th.
o Regular Registration deadline to sign up for the March exam is typically in January.
o Regular Registration deadline to sign up for the August exam is typically in June.
 How much does it cost?  $95 for regular registration.  $190 for late deadline registration.
 File application with the State Bar of California and receive a determination of Good Moral Character. 
 How do I do that?  Go to http://www.calbarxap.com and click on “Apply for Moral Character
Determination.” 
 When should I do that?  The determination process can take as long as six to nine months.
Therefore, SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, but no later than February 8, 2019.  
If you use the fingerprinting service on campus this October, you need to submit no later than 
January 18, 2019. 
o Students are encouraged to use Thanksgiving break as an opportunity to gather the information you will
need to complete the application.  This will include, residence addresses for the past 8 years, employment 
history, character witness names, addresses and phone numbers, etc.  Note:  Criminal history is part of the 
moral character determination, as is your record while at UCLA.  If you failed to disclose an academic 
sanction, misdemeanor or felony during the admission process to UCLA, contact Dean Scivoletto 
immediately at 310‐267‐5663 to set up an appointment to discuss your options. 

 How much does it cost?  $551.00
 Graduate from law school (Go Bruins!). 
 Will that be soon?  Yes, just a few more months!  Finish strong!
 Register for and pass the California Bar Exam. 
 How do I do that?  Go to http://www.calbarxap.com and click on “Apply for the Bar Exam.”
 When should I do that?  Registration for the July 2019 bar exam opens March 1, 2019.
 How much does the exam cost?  $677.00 application fee and an additional $153.00 laptop fee.
 Yeah, but how do I pass it on the first attempt?   We have much to discuss, grasshopper.
2
https://www.calbarxap.com/

3
 IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COMPLETION OF THE
ONLINE MORAL CHARACTER APPLICATION

Please read this document in its entirety before beginning the online moral character
application. When completing the application you will be asked to provide a great deal of
detailed information. The information you provide must be accurate and complete.

It is strongly suggested that you gather the information you will need prior to starting the
application. In some instances, you will need to obtain documents to submit with your
application. If this applies to you, you may complete the application, but you are advised to
delay submitting it until you have the required documents in hand. Do not mail in the required
paper copy of your application until you are able to attach the required documents;
otherwise, the application will be considered incomplete. If you submit the application
online, but do not mail the required paper copy within 60 days of the submittal date, your
application will be abandoned as incomplete, and you will not be entitled to a refund of your
fees. If applicable to you, the following is a list of some of the information that will be required:

• Former names, associated dates, and reasons for name change;

• Residences for the past 8 years with associated dates, including college residences;

• All colleges and postgraduate schools attended with associated dates, Student ID number,
degrees earned;

• License issuing authorities and addresses, license numbers, associated dates, and current
status;

• Current and previous employment since age 18 that were law related and current and
previous employment, not law related, that lasted longer than 6 months with name of
business, position, associated dates, supervisor, telephone number, and reason for leaving;

• Personal references to include 5 reputable and responsible people, who know you well with
their address and telephone information (at least one member of the bar);

• Original and certified copy of out-of-state and foreign driving record;

• Details of any professional discipline such as disbarment, suspension, censure, reprimand,

disqualification, or license revocation;

• Details of prior applications for admission including dates of application and exams taken,
dates of admission, if applicable, current status, and if not admitted, the reasons why;

• Details of any arrests, convictions, administrative proceedings, complaints, scholastic

discipline, bondedness, indebtedness, and bankruptcies with associated dates and final
disposition or current status. Copies of any complaints or claims against you and the
subsequent rulings and copies of any pleadings/allegations against you and the judgments
must be provided;

• Military service with associated dates, serial numbers, separation status and copy of DD
Form 214.

MC Important Info-R

4
 California State Bar – Moral Character Application
Requests for Criminal Conviction History

• California does not ask about ARRESTS that did not lead to a conviction. OTHER STATES MIGHT!
Check out the State Bar website for the state in which you wish to be licensed.

5
 California State Bar – Moral Character Application
Requests for Scholastic Discipline Information

• BROAD interpretation of this provision

• DISCUSS this item with Dean Scivoletto

• OVERSHARE information, but explain and show how you have learned from the experience

6
 California State Bar – Moral Character Application
Requests for Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Information

7
Summary of Other States – Moral Character Application
Requests for Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Information

MOST STATES: In 1994, responding to the passage of the Americans with Disability Act, the American
Bar Association (ABA) passed a resolution recommending that State Bars develop “narrowly tailored”
questions relating to an applicant’s mental health on moral character applications. As a result, most
states (38) ask some form of the following question:

Do you currently have any condition or impairment (including, but not limited to,
substance abuse, alcohol abuse, or a mental, emotional, or nervous disorder or
condition) which in any way currently affects your ability to practice law in a
competent and professional manner?

Other states (4) ask a similar question but provide a timeframe in which the applicant must judge if any
condition is applicable. Minnesota, Rhode Island, Maine and New Jersey indicate a two or three year
time period in which the condition must be present to be considered “current.”

MINORITY OF STATES: A minority of states (8) including Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire,
Ohio, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin have very broad questions which generally take the form of inquiring
into whether an applicant has “ever” suffered from various mental conditions. However, this usually
comes with some sort of preamble such as this one from Idaho:

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 Office for Student Affairs
Room 1224 | studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu | (310) 825-4891

FINGERPRINTING

You must complete and turn in a copy of your receipt for your Live Scan fingerprinting
with your moral character application. Your fingerprints are good for 90 days. YOU
MUST TURN IN YOUR MORAL CHARACTER APPLICATION WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE
DATE OF YOUR LIVE SCAN RECEIPT. DO NOT WAIT!

EXCERPT FROM CALIFORNIA STATE BAR OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION FOR
DETERMINATION OF MORAL CHARACTER

Fingerprints

State law mandates that the State Bar of California "... require that an applicant for admission or
reinstatement to the practice of law in California... be fingerprinted in order to establish the identity of
the applicant and in order to determine whether the applicant or member has a record of criminal
conviction...." An Application for Determination of Moral Character or Application for Extension of
Determination of Moral Character will not be considered complete without the appropriately processed
fingerprints.

Live Scan Processing:

Applicants who reside in California must submit fingerprints via Live Scan technology.
Only California livescan services may be used. Applicants can have their fingerprints processed while
visiting California, but they must contact the Los Angeles Office of Admissions to request the livescan
form and both DOJ and FBI services will be required.

Fingerprint Card Processing:

Applicants residing outside of the State of California must submit prints on fingerprint cards (FD-258)
with a Request for Exemption From Mandatory Electronic Fingerprint Submission Requirement form.
An applicant's fingerprints will be used solely to determine whether or not the applicant has a prior
criminal record. The Committee will request that the criminal justice agencies return the fingerprints of
all applicants and that the agencies neither copy the fingerprints nor disseminate them to others nor use
them for any other purpose. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 6054, the fingerprint
cards of applicants who are admitted to practice law in California are retained for the limited purpose of
criminal arrest notification.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like more information, contact Emily Scivoletto, Dean of
Students, at scivoletto@law.ucla.edu.

9
 UCLA School of Law
ACCU-PRINTS WILL BE AT UCLA LAW PROVIDING MOBILE LIVE-SCAN
SERVICE FOR THE STATE BAR MORAL CHARACTER APPLICATION AND
PASSPORT PHOTOS FOR THE MPRE ON:

Monday, October 22nd

Tuesday October 23rd
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the law school lobby.
ARRIVE EARLY TO SECURE SERVICES – FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF STUDENTS IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE IS
NO GUARANTEE OF SERVICE AFTER 3:00 P.M.
Accu-prints will return to UCLA Law January if you miss them in October.

Accu-Prints
PHONE: (805) 529 5288 FAX: (805) 529-5579
WEB: www.accuprints.net EMAIL: Accuprints1@aol.com

ACCU-PRINTS offers a reduced fee for fingerprint service to our

students. Fingerprints are sent directly to DOJ and FBI for quick
and accurate processing and the results are then sent to the
State Bar. Fingerprinting is good for 90 days – submit and mail
in your moral character application with receipt from
fingerprinting no later than January 18th.
Fee schedule – Fingerprints – Live Scan Mobile Service
Mobile Service Live Scan
Rolling Fee $20.00*
*Represents a discount to students

Passport Photo with Live Scan $ 8.00*

Passport photo is for MPRE EXAM ONLY

Passport photos only $10.00

PAYMENTS ARE TO BE IN CASH, MASTERCARD, VISA, DISCOVER, AMERICAN

EXPRESS (NO PERSONAL CHECKS)
10
 HOW DOES THE BAR EXAM TEST YOUR LAWYERING SKILLS?
Sample Torts Essay Question

Gayle is 16 years old and attends high school in School District.

One day, Gayle’s teacher was relaxing in the teacher’s lounge during the first ten minutes of
class time, as he usually did, leaving the students unsupervised. School District had long been
aware of the teacher’s practice, but had done nothing about it.

That day, in the teacher’s absence, Gayle walked out of class and out of school. She got into
her car and drove to the house of an adult friend, Frances. Gayle had promised Frances that,
for $10, she would help her move some paintings.

Arriving at Frances’ house, Gayle carelessly parked her car several feet from the curb and
entered the house. She came out later, carrying paintings to her car. In a patrol vehicle, Paula, a
police officer, spotted Gayle’s car. Frances caught sight of the patrol vehicle and told Gayle,
“Quick, move your car to the curb.”

Gayle jumped into her car just as Paula was walking towards it. Suddenly, without looking,
Gayle swung her car toward the curb, hitting and severely injuring Paula.

After Paula was transported to a hospital, she was visited by her husband, Harry. Shocked at
Paula’s condition, Harry collapsed and suffered a broken arm in the fall.

1. Under what theory or theories, if any, might Paula bring an action for damages against
(a) Gayle, (b) Frances, and (c) School District, and how is she likely to fare? Discuss.

2. Under what theory or theories, if any, might Harry bring an action for damages against
any defendant, and how is he likely to fare? Discuss.

Sample Torts Multiple Choice Question

1. A man has four German shepherd dogs that he has trained for guard duty and that he holds
for breeding purposes. The man has “Beware of Dogs” signs clearly posted around a fenced-in
yard where he keeps the dogs. The man’s next-door neighbor frequently walks past the man’s
house and knows about the dogs’ ferocity. One summer day, the neighbor entered the man’s
fenced-in yard to retrieve a snow shovel that the man had borrowed during the past winter. The
neighbor was attacked by one of the dogs and was severely injured.

In a suit against the man, is the neighbor likely to prevail?

(A) No, because the neighbor knew that the man had dangerous dogs in the yard.

(B) No, because the neighbor was trespassing when he entered the man’s property.

(C) Yes, because the neighbor was an invitee for the purpose of retrieving the shovel.

(D) Yes, because the man was engaged in an abnormally dangerous activity.

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 Sample Performance Test Task Summary

In re Field Hogs, Inc.

(July 2011, MPT-1)

In this performance test, examinees are employed by the law firm that represents Field Hogs,
Inc., a manufacturer of heavy lawn and field equipment for consumer use. The company has
been sued four times on various products liability and tort theories; the firm successfully
defended two of these cases, but two others resulted in substantial jury awards for the plaintiffs.
Field Hogs wants to limit its costs and any unwanted publicity in future litigation. To address
these concerns, Field Hogs has asked the law firm to draft an arbitration clause to be added to
its sales contracts.

Examinees’ task is to draft an objective memorandum analyzing whether the proposed

arbitration clause would cover tort claims against Field Hogs and whether the allocation of
arbitration costs would affect the clause’s enforceability. In addition, examinees are asked to
draft an arbitration clause that is likely to be enforceable in court and that addresses the
client’s priorities. The File contains the instructional memorandum from the supervising attorney,
a summary of the client interview, a memorandum summarizing Fields Hogs’s litigation history,
a copy of the law firm’s standard commercial arbitration clause, and the Consumer Procedures
of the National Arbitration Organization. The Library contains four cases discussing the
standards for enforceable arbitration clause.

12
 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE
CALIFORNIA BAR EXAM
The California Bar exam is a 2-day exam, which consists of:

• five 60-minute California essay questions, weighted 36%.

• one 90-minute California Performance Tests, weighted 14%;
• 200 multiple choice questions in six-hours: Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), weighted 50%;

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

February or
Morning Afternoon
July

Essays (2)
Essays (3)
Day One Tuesday Performance Test (1)
3 Hours
3 Hours

Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)

Multiple Choice Questions Multiple Choice Questions
Day Two Wednesday
(100) (100)
3 Hours 3 Hours

The following subjects may be tested on the California bar exam:

On the multiple choice (MBE) section: On the Essay section:

 Civil Procedure (federal)  All subjects from the MBE section

 Constitutional Law  Business Associations (Corporations/Agency)

 Contracts (including UCC Art. 2 sales)  California Civil Procedure

 Criminal Law/ Criminal Procedure  California Evidence

 Evidence (federal)  Community Property

 Real Property  Professional Responsibility

 Torts  Remedies

Wills and Trusts

On the Performance Test (PT) section:

The Performance Test is a “closed universe” exam, meaning that technically all of the rules of
law that you need in order to respond to the questions will be provided to you within the exam,
usually in the form of moot or fictional cases and statutes in a “library”.
13
 BAR EXAM AND MORAL CHARACTER
INFORMATION FOR OTHER STATES
 YOUR FIRST STOP:
Links to ALL States on MyLaw:
1. Under “Departments” select Student Services
2. On the Student Services page you will see the section “Bar Admission”
3. Under Bar Admission, select “Non-California Bar Exams”
4. Scroll Down to the links to each state

 MOST COMMON STATE BARS – GENERAL DEADLINE INFORMATION:

New York
www.nybarexam.org
Deadline to sign up for July 2019 bar exam: Application period is April 1 to 30, 2019 (no late filing)
Moral Character process: Forms are submitted after the bar exam.
Other notes: 50-hour pro bono requirement, Professional Skills/Values Requirement
Professional Responsibility: Must take Law 258, 312 or 682 at UCLA Law

Arizona
Deadline to sign up for July 2019 bar exam: Regular application period is January 15 to March 30
(late filing from April 1 to April 30).
Moral Character process: You must apply to sit for the bar exam first, but can file the character
report any time after you have signed up for the bar. Reports take 3-4 months to process, so you
definitely want it in by April/May.
Other notes: Uniform Bar Exam Jurisdiction

Colorado
Deadline to sign up for July 2019 bar exam: Regular application period is February 1 to April 1
(late filing until May 1).
Moral Character process: Completed in conjunction with application to sit for the bar exam.
Other notes: Uniform Bar Exam Jurisdiction

Washington (state)
Deadline to sign up for July 2019 bar exam: Regular application period is February 1 to March 5
(late filing until April 5)
Moral Character process: Completed in conjunction with application to sit for the exam. All issues
with character & fitness must be resolved by May 26th, so you should turn in your application for the
bar exam no later than March 5th
Other notes: Uniform Bar Exam Jurisdiction

As always, if you have any questions, or would like more information, contact Emily Scivoletto, Dean of
Students, at scivoletto@law.ucla.edu. Information accurate as of 9/1/2017.
14
15
16
 Office for Student Affairs
Room 1224 | studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu | (310) 825-4891

Perform a Bar ACCOMMODATIONS Assessment

Even if you have never had a specifically-identified testing accommodation for an individualized need
in law school (or elsewhere), you may need one on the bar exam. The bar exam is different.

Each state has a set of rules governing what you can bring to the bar exam and how you may act once
the exam begins. In California, Rule 4.80 et seq. of the Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in
California (Rules) govern who will be allowed accommodations for purposes of the bar exam. These
rules will likely prompt all students who have received testing accommodations in law school to seek
similar accommodations on the bar exam. These rules may also prompt students who have never
needed an accommodation to seek one for the first time on the bar exam.

All bar exam accommodations requests require medical documentation and are due no later than
June 1, 2019. BUT! DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THEN! FILE NOW!

Who should prepare a bar exam accommodations request?

• Anyone who sought and obtained testing accommodations in law school should consider an
application for similar accommodations on the bar exam.
• Anyone who regularly brings food to exams and eats to sustain sufficient energy throughout
exams should consider an application for accommodations (to bring food) on the bar exam.
Note that bar applicants are not permitted to bring food into the testing site without an
approved accommodation. This means that you must plan to be without food for a minimum of
3.5 hours.
• Anyone who has difficulty writing and uses a particular writing instrument to make that task
easier should consider seeking a bar exam accommodation.
• Anyone who may have irritable bowel syndrome (and has to use the bathroom more often
during testing or high-stress situations) should consider submitting an accommodations
application. You may want a seat close to a bathroom and extra time on the exam to
accommodate this condition.

If you think you may need an accommodation on a bar exam and need assistance with that process,
please contact Emily Scivoletto, Dean of Students at scivoletto@law.ucla.edu.

If you already have a law school accommodation and need verification for the bar exam, please
contact Carmina Ocampo, Director of Student Life at ocampo@law.ucla.edu.

17
 Office for Student Affairs
Room 1224 | studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu | (310) 825-4891

Sign up for a Bar Preparation Course!

After graduation in May, bar preparation courses begin to assist graduates in re-learning substantive law
(and learning the law in some cases), drafting essays and performance tests and developing an approach
to taking multiple choice questions. The average bar applicant spends between $2000 and $3500 on
bar preparation courses, but almost all students sign up for at least one. Below is a listing of some of
the more popular courses:

BarBri: BarBri’s Bar Review course consists of an intensive 10-week course. Typically classes are 4 hours
long and meet 5-6 days a week, beginning the week after graduation. Outside of class, students devote
roughly another 5-7 hours per day to class assignments and studying. The course is comprised of
substantive law lectures covering all the tested subject areas, as well as workshops devoted to the
Essay, Performance Test and MBE portions of the exam. Information at www.barbri.com
Cost estimate: $2500

Kaplan: Kaplan’s Bar Review course consists of an intensive 10-week course. Kaplan offers a 6-day
“foundation” course that generally starts the Monday after graduation, an 8-week intensive general bar
review course (covering all tested subject areas, essays, Performance Test and MBE) and a 2-day course
with a simulated exam and review session in mid-July. Outside of class, students devote roughly another
5-7 hours per day to class assignments and studying. Information at:
www.kaplanbarreview.com/california Cost estimate: $1800.

Themis Bar Review: Themis is a full 10-week bar preparation course that is conducted online. Themis
was started several years ago by people who worked for BarBri that felt they could deliver bar prep
services at a lower price online and still keep the quality of the program. An attorney adviser is
provided as well as (in some cases) testing simulations in a classroom setting. Information at
www.themisbar.com Cost estimate: $1,400.

SOME Other Bar Preparation Courses:

• MicroMash – home study course. Information available at www.micromashbar.com.
• AmeriBar – home study course. Information available at www.ameribar.com
• The Study Group –home study course. www.thestudygroup.com.
• Emanuel Bar Review – MBE program www.emanuelbarprep.com.
• Adaptibar – MBE Program www.adaptibar.com

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION! If you would like to discuss your bar prep course options,
contact Emily Scivoletto at scivoletto@law.ucla.edu.

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 Office for Student Affairs
Room 1224 | studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu | (310) 825-4891

Perform a Bar-Preparation, Time-Management Assessment

Time is of the essence! This term (or phrase) of art certainly holds true for the bar exam preparation
period. In the 10-11 weeks prior to the bar exam, your bar studies will require the bulk of your time and
attention. Most California Law graduates spend at least 50 hours per week studying in May and June
and as much as 60 hours per week studying in July. While this study commitment is manageable, it does
require you to plan your time carefully.

What can you do now to ensure that you have the time you need to study for the bar exam?

• Request your notice of leave from work. Let your boss know that you will need time off for the
bar preparation period, and take steps now (if you haven’t already) to ensure that you can
afford all of your living expenses without income from the job.
• Relinquish positions of responsibility in civic, religious, professional or social organizations. Let
your colleagues know that you’ll be busy with bar preparation for a while and that you must
turn your post over to someone else until after the exam. Note that you may continue to meet
with these organizations on occasion as your time and interest allow, but you likely will not have
time to manage or lead such an organization.
• Find full-time child care for your family. Both bar study and child care are demanding tasks. You
should not try to do both at the same time. Carve out time for your children, but plan to study
without primary responsibility for their care.
• Find full-time elder care for the seniors under your care. While you may carve out time to spend
with these important people in your life, you should not take primary responsibility for their
care while you study for the bar.
• RSVP “no” to weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other events during your July bar preparation period.
Choose only one or two significant events (should they arise) prior to July. RSVP “no” to the
others.
• Start to prepare friends and family for the reality that you will be working hard from graduation
through the bar exam.
• Avert potential crises over the summer. Take your car in to get serviced now (don’t wait until it
breaks down while driving to your bar review course!). Freeze some extra meals, so you have
something healthy in a pinch over the summer. Take your pets to the vet, and take yourself for
a general physical exam.
• Take a learning styles inventory to identify your learning strengths. You can find a great tool to
do this here: http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html. Identify study strategies
that will take advantage of your learning strengths. Implement these personally-tailored
strategies to study efficiently.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like more information, contact Emily Scivoletto, Dean of
Students, at scivoletto@law.ucla.edu.

19
 Office for Student Affairs
Room 1224 | studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu | (310) 825-4891

Perform a Bar Preparation Financial Assessment

Why is this important? Research on bar exam success demonstrates that bar applicants who work
more than ten hours per week on something other than bar exam preparation are at a significantly
higher risk than those who do not of falling short of their goal of passing the bar exam. Thus, if at all
possible, you want to avoid working while you prepare for the bar exam. In other words, bar
preparation is a full-time job – typically requiring fifty to sixty hours of work per week. Can you survive
the summer without income from a paying job? Do you have sufficient financial resources to cover your
living expenses while you study for the bar full time?

How can you determine whether you are financially secure for the bar preparation period? Conduct a
financial audit. Examine your actual expenses for an entire month. Record each expenditure. How
much do you spend on housing? Utilities? Food (from groceries and restaurants)? Other necessities
(like toilet paper and laundry)? Social Activities? Gas? Parking? Clothes? Medical needs? Regular
maintenance (doctor’s appointments, car repairs, vet expenses)? Pets? Family? Your phone? Calculate
your total monthly expenditures. Then, add a sum to take into account unexpected emergency
expenses that may be necessary from time to time. Determine how much money you have in the bank.
Divide that sum by the number of months between now and next August. Do you have ample monetary
resources to cover your monthly expenses (plus potential emergencies) through the bar exam? If yes,
smile! If no, let’s find a solution to this situation now.

If you are cutting it close financially, what can you do now to avoid a financial crisis during the bar
preparation period?

1. Visit the Financial Aid office for information about where to go for financial advice and about bar
study loans.
2. Examine your budget to determine where you can save money now so that you have sufficient
funds for the summer.
3. Talk to family members about whether they will support you financially while you study for the
bar. Be explicit about how you will re-pay these individuals once you are employed and
practicing law.
4. Consider securing a bar loan to enable you to devote your attention to studying for the bar
without worrying about having the resources necessary to pay for food and housing.
5. In other words, take steps to avoid having to work in a paying job while you study for the bar
exam.

20
 Office for Student Affairs
Room 1224 | studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu | (310) 825-4891

Sample Bar Study Budget

Moral Character Application Fee ………………………………………………………………………..$550.00

Bar Exam Registration Fee…………………………………………………………………………………..$677.00
Bar Exam Laptop Fee………………………………………………………………………………$153.00

Bar Prep Course ……………………………………………………………………………………………….$2,000.00

Rent/Bills for May 15 to August 1 ……………………………………………………………………..$5200.00

Living Expenses/Food ……………………………………………………………………………$3000.00

TOTAL …………………………………………………………………………………………………………$11,580.00

Bar Loan and Scholarship Options

Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid at UCLA Law can assist you in determining funding for bar study expenses and
will host a workshop in early February to provide all the information you’ll need. Students who need
funding for their Moral Character and Bar Exam Registration fees (usually paid during Spring
semester) can request a financial aid budget increase for the 2018-19 academic year to cover these
fees (usually, not to exceed $1700.00). YOU MUST CONTACT FINANCIAL AID BY APRIL 1, 2019 IN
ORDER TO ADJUST YOUR FINANCIAL AID BUDGET.

Private Bar Study Loans

Bar Study Loans are available from various private lenders and Salle Mae. Typically eligible borrowers
can request up to $15,000 with approval subject to satisfactory credit history. Students can only borrow
from one private agency for a Bar Study Loan. Most bar loans have variable interest rates, currently
ranging from 3.74% to 12.74%. Talk with B or Dan in Financial Aid!

Scholarships
Look for announcements from UCLA SBA, student organizations and Los Angeles based bar associations
for “bar scholarships” that are offered to 3L students who apply.

21
 Office for Student Affairs
Room 1224 | studentaffairs@law.ucla.edu | (310) 825-4891

Prepare your significant others for the bar exam

Your significant others – loved ones, family, and friends -- are the most important component of your
life. They can help you prepare for the bar exam. In fact, when they understand what you’re going
through to prepare for the bar, they will want to help you.

How can you effectively prepare your significant others for the bar such that they can support you in
this endeavor?
• Explain why passing the bar is important to you.
o You must pass to practice law.
o You’ve invested lots of money in law school, a bar prep course, and the exam itself.
o You’re ready to get started in your new profession, and you don’t want to wait any
longer.
• Explain that the bar exam is hard.
o Law school doesn’t teach you everything you need to know to pass the exam.
o Lots of smart people fail.
o The exam tests some subjects you may not have taken in law school.
o There is a LOT to memorize. Show them your bar review books.
• Explain that you’ll need to work hard all summer to pass.
o Prepare a bar study schedule and share it with your significant others so they know
what you’re doing.
o Note that most California Law graduates study for at least 50 to 60 hours per week for
the bar exam, each averaging 600 to 800 total hours of study over the summer.
• Explain why maintaining this person’s relationship is important to you.
o Explain that your bar study effort may limit the amount of time you have to spend with
your significant others over the summer.
o Be clear in advance that you will make this up to them in August after the exam is over.
o Identify something concrete that you will do for your significant others to thank them for
their support and patience.

Once your significant others understand what you’re sacrificing to accomplish your goal of becoming a
licensed attorney, what can they do to help?
• They can offer support, encouragement and sympathy.
• They can assist you in keeping your distractions at bay. They can help you keep the TV off or
clean up the dinner dishes. They may even do your laundry!
• They can screen your phone calls, and prevent individuals who drain your energy from
distracting you in the midst of a study block.
• This is not the time to be shy. Let folks know what you need, and be clear about how you will re-
pay their kindness after the bar exam.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like more information, contact Emily Scivoletto, Dean of
Students, at scivoletto@law.ucla.edu.

22
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