Does the bar look at law school applications?
Asked by: Veronica Hintz | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (40 votes)
Yes, state bars absolutely look at law school applications as part of their intensive character and fitness (C&F) background checks, comparing them to your bar application to ensure consistency and honesty; any discrepancies, omissions, or dishonesty can significantly delay or even prevent your admission to the bar. Your original law school application becomes a key document reviewed by the Board of Law Examiners to verify disclosures about criminal history, academic issues, or financial problems, so you must be truthful and thorough on both applications.
How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar?
Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady.
Does the bar look at your law school application on Reddit?
FYI the Bar gets a a copy of your law school app and one of the things they check is whether that lines up with your Bar application. If you properly disclose to the Bar but didn't disclose to your law school, that's a massive problem. By the way, it doesn't matter who you are.
What looks best on a law school application?
What Do Law Schools Look for in Your Application?
- Strong Academic Record and LSAT Score. ...
- Extracurricular Involvement. ...
- Excellent Writing and Reading Abilities. ...
- Personal Growth. ...
- Strong Recommendations from People Who Actually Know You. ...
- Something Special… ...
- Demonstrated Interest in the Law School Itself.
What disqualifies you from taking the bar exam?
What disqualifies you from taking the bar exam? Issues such as serious criminal convictions, dishonesty during the application process, or failure to meet character and fitness standards can disqualify you.
What the NextGen Bar Exam Changes Mean for Law School Applicants in 2025
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
Does the bar check your law school application?
The Bar will compare your disclosures on your law school application to criminal records and other information about you and if they determine that you have not been forthright, they may deny your admission.
Is a 157 a bad LSAT score?
A 157 LSAT score isn't "bad"—it's solid and above average, placing you in the 70th percentile, allowing entry to many ranked law schools, especially regional ones, though it might be below the median for highly selective T14 schools, so researching specific school medians and considering retaking if aiming for top-tier programs is key.
How do I increase my chances of getting into law school?
How To Maximize Law School Acceptance Chances
- Build a meaningful relationship with a professor. Undergraduate professors are a valuable resource for aspiring law school students. ...
- Show Commitment. A longer resume is not necessarily a better resume. ...
- Expand your interests beyond the beaten “pre-law” path.
Is a 172 on the LSAT good?
Yes, a 172 is an excellent LSAT score, placing you in the top ~2-3% of test-takers, making you highly competitive for top-tier law schools, though you'll still need to be near or above the median for the most selective T14 programs, as their medians often reach 170-174. It's a very strong score that significantly boosts your chances at many great law schools, but the "good enough" threshold depends on your target school's medians and your overall GPA/profile.
Is the LSAT or bar harder?
Most people consider the Bar Exam harder than the LSAT because it requires memorizing vast amounts of "black letter law" and applying it under extreme pressure, whereas the LSAT tests reasoning skills, but the LSAT's difficulty lies in its highly competitive scoring and abstract logic, making high scores harder to achieve for top schools. The LSAT is a skill-based test for law school entry, while the Bar is a knowledge-based test for licensure, making the Bar more about rote learning and the LSAT about logical aptitude.
Is a 3.3 GPA too low for law school?
A 3.3 GPA isn't "bad" but makes getting into top-tier (T-14) law schools very difficult, as their median GPAs are much higher (around 3.7-3.9+), but it's often sufficient for mid-tier or lower-ranked schools, especially with a strong LSAT score, compelling personal statement, and relevant work experience, which can significantly boost your application by showing resilience and readiness.
How does the bar background check work?
Every jurisdiction investigates bar applicants. It is either done by the state bar association or in conjunction with the National Council of Bar Examiners. The investigation is a comprehensive inquiry into your background requiring you to disclose information about your personal and professional life.
What was Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Did JFK Jr pass the bar?
Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1989. He then failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third try in July 1990. After failing the exam for a second time, Kennedy vowed that he would continue to take it until he was 95 years old or passed.
How many times has Kim Kardashian taken in the bar?
Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once, in July 2025, and did not pass, but she did pass the "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in late 2021 after failing it three times previously, allowing her to proceed to the main exam. She has plans to retake the main bar exam, with opportunities in February 2026 and beyond, as California law allows multiple attempts.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.
What disqualifies you from law school?
What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment.
Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 158?
If you don't have the time or energy to grind before November, you could apply now with 158 and still be competitive at plenty of places. But if you feel like 160+ is in reach and worth the extra effort, retaking once more could pay off long term.
How many mistakes for 165 LSAT?
On a four section LSAT, you can miss roughly 18 questions and get a 165. On a three section LSAT, you can miss roughly 13 questions and get a 165.
What law school can I get into with a 157 LSAT?
🧭 Where You're Competitive: Schools Ranked 90+
With a 3.1 GPA and 157 LSAT score, acceptance to schools like American University (pictured above), and Drexel (LSAT median: 156, GPA median: 3.45) are well within reach.
What can disqualify you from being a lawyer?
You can be disqualified from becoming a lawyer primarily through a poor "Character and Fitness" review, which scrutinizes issues like criminal history (especially felonies or fraud), academic misconduct, financial irresponsibility (e.g., mishandling funds), substance abuse, dishonesty/fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and failure to obey court orders, as these reflect on your integrity and ability to serve the public trust. While minor offenses might be overlooked if addressed, a pattern of such behavior or failure to disclose them can prevent bar admission.
What is considered the hardest class in law school?
The hardest law school subjects vary, but Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Property are consistently cited as top contenders, especially in the first year, due to abstract concepts, complex rules, and interconnected details. Advanced courses like Federal Courts, Tax Law, and Evidence are also known for their difficulty, involving dense statutory interpretation, complex codes, and intricate rules.
How soon after law school do you take the bar?
Take the Bar Exam As Soon as Possible
If you graduate in May, for example, you can spend the next two months studying full time and plan to take the July exam. If you are not able to study full time, you may want to take more time to prepare and opt for the February exam instead.