Head's Up on Bar Applications

Greetings, faithful reader!  If you haven't already been sent a glut of emails from your law school, which I'm sure you have, I wanted to try to condense the things you will need in the next few weeks, because I know how confusing the bar exam application process is. As always, my focus is NY/NJ but some things apply across all jurisdictions.

1. Deadlines
Pay attention to them, so you don't get whacked with exorbitant late application fees.
NY: April 1 - April 30th
NJ: March 1 - April 1st (meaning April 1st is the drop-dead date to get your application postmarked)

2. Fees
NY: $250 Visa or MasterCard Only
NJ: $475 (yes, really)

3. Method
NY: Online (for the application to get a seat--the moral character application is paper)
NJ:  Paper only (yes, really)

4. What You Will Need Ahead of Time

This part is critical, because the more you can do now, the better off you will be. This pertains more to NJ than to NY.  In NJ, you fill out every piece of information before you take the exam.  In NY, you just fill out a bare-bones application, then if you pass, you fill out a lengthy application to the Committee on Character and Fitness. They ask for much of the same information, so if you have filled out your NJ application and kept a copy (like a good faithful reader), then filling out NY won't be a hassle.

Driver's abstract.  I mentioned this is an earlier post, but it bears repeating. In NJ, you can apply online for your full driver abstract. Don't get excited yet. You apply online for a PIN which will allow you to access the form whereby you request your abstract.  They send this PIN in the mail. Yes, really.
Be careful with this part, because the DMV will mail this PIN to whatever address you have on file with them. This may be an issue for some who are not living at their permanent address, or who have problems getting their mail.  You may need to sort out your address first, so do that now.You have to obtain a complete abstract (not an abbreviated abstract) from each place where you have ever had a license. (Yes, really).

MPRE Score. If you didn't take the MPRE in NJ because you got a C or better in legal ethics, then you won't need the official copy of your score.

MBE Transfer:  If you are taking more than one bar exam, decide where you will take the MBE (MultiState Bar Exam). This is the 200 question multiple choice component of the bar, and can be taken anywhere.  If, like me, you don't take it in NJ, you have a separate form to fill out to have that score transferred.  You do this before you sit for the exams. I think it has to be done by July 1st, but it might be sooner. This seems small, but it's important that you decide now because if you mess this up, you might not be assigned a seat for the MBE in any state (This has happened, and it's not good!)

List of Addresses.  In NJ, they want to know where you have lived (including dorms) for the past ten years.  In NY, they make you go back to age 21. This isn't a problem for you young'uns out there, but for most evening students who tend to be a little older, this could do a number on your memory.

Your Life On Paper. The applications will ask you the standard demographic info, name, age, rank, serial number. It will also want to know about education and any issues with probation, suspensions, etc. It will ask about your employment history, and any disciplinary actions, etc. And it will ask about any civil and criminal legal activity, other professional licenses, armed service history, etc. If you have anything resembling a formal charge, gather up documentation on it now because it will need to be submitted. This could include academic records, probationary documents, civil complaints, court orders, judgments, etc. Take the next 2-3 months to get your documentary ducks in a row so that you can breeze through the application.

Don't forget your student loan info, and the part that really sticks in my craw - your "indebtedness" (basically, your credit history). I don't feel that a person's debtload should be evaluated by the character on moral fitness, but that's the way it is (at present). Have all that information at hand if you have been delinquent on payments, etc.

That should be enough to get you going, until the July applications are released. Here are the links so that you can bookmark them when they do become available:

NY:  http://www.nybarexam.org/forms/forms.htm
NJ:  http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/supreme_doc/njbarexams/

Good luck! And remember - the best way to stay organized is to start organized!