At Rutgers Law School, we're dedicated to providing you with the assistance and resources you need to thrive.
Overview |
Success in law school requires you to develop the analytical skills necessary to solve specific legal problems through the application of general legal principles. The Academic Success Program (ASP) helps you practice these skills in a supportive environment. ASP includes courses, workshops, and individual conferences with the professor. Some ASP courses are required for some students, while others are just recommended. |
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Learning Objectives |
ASP complements the standard law school curriculum. It focuses on building skills essential for law school and the Bar exam, including:
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Professor Eileen Pizzurro graduated cum laude from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and is a member of the Order of the Coif. Before joining the Law School, Professor Pizzurro worked as a litigator in New York and New Jersey. She has handled civil litigation as well as pro bono work, including representing asylum seekers.
Professor Alison Nissen graduated with honors from Rutgers Law School in Camden. Prior to returning to Rutgers Law, she co-directed the Academic Support Program at Widener University School of Law - Wilmington. There, she also taught various legal methods and skills courses. She has specialized in legal research, writing, and appellate work.
You can choose from a range of ASP courses, but some courses are mandatory for certain student groups. Optional courses are also highly recommended for everyone.
Required for all 1L students:
Workshops are held with day and evening class times. Practice exams and other exercises are ungraded. The workshops cover:
- Case briefing
- Note-taking
- Class preparation
- Outlining
- Exam writing
- Time and stress management
The ASP Workshop Schedule will be available in Canvas.
Optional: We offer one-on-one meetings for students tailored to your needs, focusing on areas like:
- Improving study methods based on your learning style
- Enhancing organization skills
- Boosting test-taking abilities
- Managing time and stress effectively
Please email eileen.pizzurro@law.rutgers.edu in Newark or
alison.nissen@rutgers.edu in Camden.
Required for some students:
Related assignments are designed to improve students' academic performance in law school. Sessions meet weekly and begin in January.
Required for some students: Improve skills that are essential for tackling hypothetical questions in law school and on Bar exams. The course involves hands-on learning with analytical and writing exercises. Work in individual and group settings and learn how to:
-Deconstruct legal rules
-Explain and evaluate the significance of facts
-Provide strong legal arguments
-Organize content effectively
Required for some students: Capstone covers topics tested on the Bar Examination. It introduces the seven core subjects: Civil Procedure, Contracts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Property, and Torts.
Capstone is not a replacement for a post-graduate Bar preparation course. It's advisable to dedicate about two months of full-time study to such a program. Recently, almost all Rutgers students who passed the Bar on their first attempt took a post-graduate Bar course.
All students learn differently. That's why our students are encouraged to take advantage of Rutgers Law Library’s special collection of study aids that support various learning styles. In addition, a helpful reading list of books and articles is laid out below.
Law School and Study Strategies
Legal Analysis and Legal Writing
Most Rutgers Law graduates are admitted to practice law in New Jersey and/or New York or Pennsylvania.
New Jersey and New York require, among other things, that applicants for admission to the Bar sit for the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and obtain a minimum score of 266.
Most states administer the Bar examinations the last week of February and the last week of July. Applications are due approximately 4 months before the exam.
However, many graduates are admitted to other states across the country. Students must be aware of other states' submission requirements and deadlines. The National Conference of Bar Examiners publishes an annual guide to the Bar Admission Requirements. Please check the state in which you plan to practice for its rules and deadlines.
In addition to a Bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the Bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. We encourage applicants to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission. You can do that by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.