Are You Fit to Admit?
Domestic Violence
Q. To gain leverage in a contentious custody battle, my ex accused me of hitting him and our kids. Though he threatened to call the police, he didn't do so after settling the case. Must I disclose his frivolous accusations?
Technical Plagiarism
Q. Rushing to get a paper done, I failed to attribute a one-sentence passage to its original author or to use quotation marks. Despite this innocent error, my law school reprimanded me for "plagiarism." Will this technicality preclude my admission?
Unrecorded Offenses
Q. On spring break of my freshman year in college, I got caught for underage drinking and was detained by campus police for several hours. Nothing really became of it and I can't find a record of this anywhere. Must I put it on my application?
The Character Clock
Q. How far back do bar examiners go to investigate an applicant's character and fitness for admission to the practice of law?
The Weight of Debt
Q. By questioning an applicant's credit ratings or level of debt, aren't licensing boards creating a "means test" that discriminates against less affluent JDs?
Second Chances
Q. I've made many mistakes in my life, but I've worked hard to overcome the past. How can I prove that I'm not the same person anymore?
Erasing Debt
Q. I've accumulated several debts in the past few years. Must I pay them all off before they'll admit me to the bar?
Student Loan Forgiveness?
Q. I heard that a large amount of debt can result in a denial of bar admissions. I have over $200,000 in student loans. Will that keep me out?
Mental Health Disclosures
Q. After a suicide attempt as a college junior, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Thanks to medication and psychotherapy, I finished college, survived law school, and am doing much better. Must I disclose this on my bar application?
Sex Offender Registry
Q. I made the Dean's List in law school, but unfortunately got listed on the sex offender registry shortly after graduation. Do I have any hope of bar admission?
Delinquent Child Support
Q. I'm more than $30,000 in arrears on child support, but it's been hard paying law school tuition and making these monthly payments. How could this affect my bar admission?
Character Interviews
Q. I'm really nervous. I'm scheduled for an interview before a member of the character committee. Is this common? Should I have a lawyer with me? How should I handle this?
Investing in Dreams
Q. Released from juvie at 18, I graduated to felonies and 85 months for wire fraud. Turning to the other side of the law, I earned a criminal justice degree while incarcerated and applied to five law schools thereafter. I only got into one. Am I wasting time on a dream that won't materialize?
Passing Bars
Q. Before getting into AA, I had several DUIs and related offenses which I was too embarrassed to list on my law school application. But I've been sober for four years now. Will my alcoholism hurt me?
Cheating Yourself
Q. I got caught cheating on a law school exam, received a failing grade in the course and got reprimanded. How will this affect my admissions efforts?