2L to 3L: Time to Plan Your Future

If you’re like most law students, your 2L year was so busy that you did not really have time to stop and think. Not to worry. You finally have this law school thing down and now it’s on to future planning. In the midst of finishing up your classwork, 3L year is about figuring out where you want to live, where you want to work and, perhaps most importantly, finding a job. Here are a few tips as you make the transition from 2L to 3L.

Start on your bar exam application

You’re still handling school and extracurricular activities, and it is time to determine where you are going so you can register for the proper state’s bar exam by the deadline. Make sure you check your potential state(s) in the fall 3L semester to have plenty of time to complete the bar exam application. You don’t want to risk missing any deadlines.

Here’s a high-level bar exam checklist to get you started.

Get the MPRE out of the way

If you haven’t already taken the MPRE, go ahead and get it out of the way. If possible, it’s best to get this done before the spring of your 3L year. If you happen to miss the required passing score, taking the MPRE again in August after you just studied for the bar exam can be intense.

Be sure to check out the free BARBRI MPRE review course.

Enroll in your BARBRI Bar Review course

Don’t hesitate to go ahead and enroll in your BARBRI Bar Review course so that you secure the current tuition price and have access to all of the bar review resources as they become available. For example, you’ll be able to immediately use 2L/3L Mastery for some of your tough classes (it covers Constitutional Law, Corporations, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Secured Transactions, Taxation, Wills & Trusts). You’ll also get early access to Early Start Bar Review, which typically becomes available several months prior to your bar exam. 

Lastly, try to enjoy your last year of law school. Remain in touch with the good friends you have made and soak in all the knowledge you are gaining.