Should I take the next Bar Exam?

Question

I have failed the Bar Exam three times. I have student loans around $120,000 about $600 a month for the next 30 years. I am unemployed and getting married right before the next bar exam. A lot of jobs out there for me require the Bar. I am hoping to work as a paralegal but have heard I am overqualified which hurts me instead of helping me. I need to work somewhere. I don't know if I should take the next Bar Exam when there is only a day between when I come back from my honeymoon and the Bar Exam. Then again the sooner I can finally pass it the better. I don't want to ruin the wedding and honeymoon for my Fiance by spending the week studying! BUT he needs me to work and earn some money because he will only be able to afford the mortgage but none of the other bills! Having my Bar license would help me jobwise. He did not want me to take it but now has left it up to me.

Bar Exam to become an Attorney at Law not a Bartender. Being a bartender is cool but that was not what I studied.

I have the book "What you can do with a law degree?" it is not bad. I have to finish reading it though. It is a good suggestion. There are many times when I questioned whether I really want to be an Attorney.

I came really close to passing the Bar last time, I just need to get one extra point. Everytime I have taken it I have done better.

Answer 1

I understand why this is so important after all studying law is a huge sacrifice and not passing the Bar can be very frustrating. However planning your wedding takes a lot of effort and can be very distracting, while it is great that you want to take it again, maybe you should wait until the next date, chances are that if you take it at the date right after your wedding, you might not pass it, because you won't have the necessary time to study and concentrate.

Answer 2

First of all, a law degree isn't useful ONLY in law or working as a lawyer. There are many, many people with law degrees who work in the government, in business, start up their own business, etc. It is a very versatile and useful degree.

There is a book called What Can You Do With a Law Degree by Deborah Arron that shows you what skills you get from going to law school and the possible occupations you could have as well as helping you with spicing up your resume to help you get alternative employment:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Can-Law-Degree-Alternatives/dp/094067551X/sr=8-1/qid=1161744648/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4169243-8334323?ie=UTF8&s=books

Some more info on the author:

http://www.decisionbooks.com/deboraharron.shtml

There are other books about lawyers who want to change careers as well on amazon.

I mention Arron's book because I have it and I know what's in it.

I'm a lawyer but I also have my own retail and import/export business. The skills I learned from law school are definitely useful, especially when it comes to understanding contracts, understanding customs regulations, etc. as well as being able to consider all the possible consequences of a particular course of action. Also, legal situations occur all the time in life, so what you learned isn't wasted.

One concern I have is that massive debt you have. Money problems can break a marriage. You will have a ton of expenses from the wedding as well.

I don't think you should take the next Bar exam. How will you be able to study for it given all the hoopla that will go on with your wedding? Also, as someone else suggested, maybe your heart really isn't into becoming a lawyer. Maybe it's something you felt you were expected to do, but not what you really WANT to do.

It's not the end of the world and you haven't wasted your time and money getting your law degree. You earned it and no one can take that away from you.

Answer 3

Well, you have failed it 3 times, then I would say that is a message that you need to find another career path.

I wouldn't take it and disrupt your new marriage & honeymoon. Take a job for the next year, even if it doesn't pay what you want (a job is better than no job) and then take the bar exam NEXT year after you have been married for a year.

This will give you more time to study and prepare and then you get to enjoy your wedding planning and your first year of marriage.

-EZ

Answer 4

I would definetly not waste money or time taking it while you are planning your wedding and going on your honeymoon..you said you took it three times before and failed... obviously you did not study for it or got too nervous three times before when you did not have these things going on... what makes you think it will help with the additional stress.. well good luck and best of luck with your wedding ... my advice wait until after the wedding and before the having children to study for the bar....

Answer 5

Ok, in your case FOUR times will be the charm!! Forget the past exams, study, relax, get in a good frame of mind and ace it this time!! dont put so much pressure on yourself, just do it!! Best of luck to you...you have come too far to give up now!! You are about to start a new marriage, new job and dont settle for anything less than you started out to achieve - you can do it!!! Imagine it, believe in your ability and reach out for it -it will be there if you want it badly enough! Only YOU can make it happen!

Answer 6

Focus on getting married, the Bar can wait.

Answer 7

Well they are two completely different drinks and luckily you have two hands - so just write the ingredients down on your hands. Screwdriver on the left Harvey Wallbanger on the right Job done I'll have a Brass Monkey please

Answer 8

JUST GOING BY YOUR QUESTION: YES, REMEMBER THOUGH, IRISH CAR BOMB IS MADE OF GUINNESS... BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM... AND IRISH WHISKEY!!!

REMEMBER THAT AND YOU'LL BE FINE!!!