This five-week course is designed to help students strengthen the foundational skills necessary to succeed on law school exams before starting the intensive reading and study period. By strengthening these skills in advance, we believe students will be more confident and better prepared as they enter final exams. Our curriculum for the course includes:
Week 1: How to actively learn from lectures and outlines
Week 2: How to actively engage with practice questions, emphasizing the application of law to facts
Week 3: How to approach and analyze essay exams, with a focus on issue spotting
Week 4: Refining and strengthening analytical and critical thinking skills tested on law school exams
Week 5: Writing concisely in the active voice, followed by a skills assessment to test students’ growth
The course consists of 90-minute classes held twice a week, with short homework assignments graded by the instructor between sessions. The course is offered in sections of 7 to 10 students to promote interaction and foster a supportive learning environment. The course is offered twice yearly- from mid-October to mid-November, and from mid-March to mid-April. To ensure students fully benefit from the course, students are required to sign a commitment agreement, affirming their commitment to attend all classes and complete all assignments.
Our individualized tutoring sessions take a hands-on approach tailored to each student's specific needs and are meticulously crafted to:
(1) Actively Engage: Our tutors don’t just instruct—they fully engage with students, offering personalized guidance at every step.
(2) Empower with Proven Strategies: Together, we explore effective learning techniques, study habits, and exam-taking strategies to optimize performance.
(3) Identify & Address Weaknesses: Tutors work closely with students to pinpoint specific areas for improvement and develop targeted solutions.
(4) Bridge Knowledge Gaps: Through active discussion and hands-on exercises, we ensure that no substantive legal concepts remain unclear or misunderstood.
(5) Hone Writing Skills: Our tutors help elevate your exam essay writing, enabling you to articulate complex legal concepts with clarity and precision.
(6) Practice & Personalized Feedback: For those seeking practical experience, students can submit practice exam essays. We provide detailed, constructive feedback to refine and perfect both analytical and writing skills.
Students enrolled in this course will participate in a three-hour writing workshop (live or virtual depending on time of enrollment), write and receive constructive and personalized feedback on three essays, and attend two private tutoring sessions to help improve their analytical and writing skills.
