Bar classes: Ipod vs. classroom
Does anyone have any advice on the pros and cons of using the Barbri ipod course to study for the bar rather than an in-person course at an actual location? I'm tempted to go the ipod route because of the flexibility, but I'm concerned that the quality of the course might not be the same.
UPDATE: July 27, 2007
I just took the New York bar and used the ipod rather than going to the classes. While I don't know that I passed yet, I thought I'd put up my experiences using the ipod in case it's helpful to anyone:
Harder to stay on track if you aren't self-motivated: It was hard to stay on schedule because you don't actually have to get up every day to go to class, and it's hard to sit still for 3-4 hours and take notes while you listen to an ipod. It would likely be equally boring in a classroom, but at least there, other people are bored with you, and the shared misery probably keeps you from getting up and walking out most of the time. With the ipod, it was easy to pause it at any time, which on the plus side meant that I could listen when I was really focused and paying attention but on the con side meant that I often had a hard time getting through the scheduled lectures. Also, my ipod, for whatever reason, did not have the ability to play at hyper-speed, so I didn't have the option of listening to the lectures at a faster speed.
Flexibility to study anywhere: For me, the best part about having the ipod, and the reason I'd probably study this way if I had it to do over again, was the flexibility. I could listen to the lectures while running, while driving, cleaning the house, cooking, walking to a coffee shop or through the grocery store--basically everywhere. I listened to it on the entire plane ride to the bar exam, and the repetition helped me with trickier topics. After using the StudySmart software to figure out where I was scoring lowest in MBE topics, I started re-listening to lectures in my weakest areas. I loved that I was able to take a few mini-vacations and just bring the ipod with me and also that I was able to study outside and doing things.
Other things to consider: The ipod version is a lot more expensive (probably about $500-$1000 if you succeed in getting all your deposits back), which I didn't realize at the time I signed up. You don't have to drive anywhere or pay for parking at the live lecture centers, which might offset some of this cost, but no matter what, it is probably the more expensive option. Finally, even though I had the ipod, my personal opinion is that the lectures weren't nearly as helpful as I thought they would be. The lectures on the ipod are taped from the live lectures, and some of them are a year old (though presumably the law hasn't changed). In the live classes, you either have a live teacher or, more often, you have a TV playing a video recording of the live lecture (though often a newer version than what is on the ipod). Apparently, those at the live classes have the option--at least at some centers--to watch lectures they miss by checking out the tape, adding a little flexibility into the live class option (but I'd check to make sure this availability is at your test center). Regardless of whether it's on a video or an ipod, the lectures basically just go over the material in the test books. It probably depends on whether you're a visual or auditory learner, but for me the most helpful things were the practice MBE and essay questions and the StudySmart software (since I prefer doing the questions on my computer rather than in a book). I think I would have learned just as much without listening to any lectures at all, especially since the lectures take SO LONG (much longer than just reading the information). If Barbri allows you to just buy its books, I would probably do that and save myself a lot of money. If you have a firm paying for you, then do the ipod (a few friends of mine were able to get their firms to pay for the more expensive ipod option, so you might consider asking). If you're funding yourself and find it relatively easy to learn from reading about a topic, you might think about just buying the Barbri written materials and preparing that way.
UPDATE: I passed (hurray!), so the ipod route worked for at least one person!
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this page
_0.jpg "Kirkland & Ellis LLP")
Comments
Ipod v Live BarBri
I just took the Bar Exam in Washington State. I did the live lectures. However, I see no reason why the ipod lectures would be any different. If you are disciplined and can make yourself listen and be good at studying on your own, then do it. I checked out several cd's of lectures to re-listen to them, and I think it was good I go back and rewind etc. Good luck.
Elizabeth Alexander, J.D.
~Most men lead lives of quiet desperation~ Henry David Thoreau
Ipod ?
I don't know anything about the IPOD option. Is it video or just sound?
I've listened to study aids like Gilberts on tape for a number of my classes and found that they've helped everytime. However, that was on top of attending live class.
You can take the ipod anywhere
The pros of the ipod:
--You can take it with you, so if you are working or traveling, you can study for the bar without being physically in Barbri classes
--You can rewind it so that if you miss something or zone out, you can go back
--You can take breaks when your attention wanders
I think Barbri requires that you be a certain distance from a test center (or traveling) to use the ipod option. I've heard only positive things, and the two people I know who used ipods both passed the bar.
go ipod
I did the iPod lectures. It was great, though I kind of fell behind and ended up not listening to any of the Essay or Performance Test lectures. Still passed California. Another benefit of the iPod is that you can fast-forward the lectures (it's under audiobooks or something from the main menu). I actually found the most helpful thing in studying to be to read all the sample essays and answers. The lectures are helpful in disciplining yourself to sit down and learn a topic, but otherwise not that much better than just reading the materials.
My fiance studied for the
My fiance studied for the bar a few years ago using the tapes and he loved it. It gave him flexibility - he could take breaks, rewind, work at his own pace, etc. To be clear, he is an extremely disciplined person (almost robotic). I've decided to use the IPOD to study for the bar this summer because we will be studying together (we moving so he has to re-take the bar). If we weren't studying together, I would probably NOT do the IPOD because I'm not quite as disciplined as my fiance. And, as far as I know, there's no distance requirement. I live 15 minutes from a bar class. Having said that, I just registered last week so maybe the letter from BarBri telling me I can't use the IPOD just hasn't arrived yet. Considering it costs so much extra I don't see why BarBri wouldn't want to take more money from me and free up space at the class. I'll let you know if I hear anything.
Good Luck!
I took (and passed) the IL
I took (and passed) the IL bar using the Ipod study plan. I was living a good 3 hour drive from any of the live lecture sites so it was really my only option and I thought it was great. It gave me a lot of flexibility so I could study late at night as is my wont. I also enjoyed the fact that you could speed up the lectures. The ipod has a “faster” setting that allows you to cover 1 hour worth of material in 45 minutes which was, frankly, a god-send for my MTV generation attention span. I also enjoyed the fact that it was portable and I could listen to lectures anywhere. I'm dismal at commercial paper so I must have listened to that one 3 times and then I would also play lectures in the car or when I was doing random house chores just to get a few more listens.
It is very expensive though - I'm still quite bitter about having to pay for live classes that I never attended and another $1,300 for the ipod. And it can be hard to stay on track. I recommend having some to keep you honest - a friend, a parent, a sig. who you report your progress too can help even the least disciplined of us stay on track.
IPod is the way to go!
I took the BarBri homestudy course for WA state and passed. The iPod gave the flexibility of studying whenever and wherever I wanted to--which was essential, given that I was taking care of my toddler at the time. I listened to lectures in the morning at the gym, which has a daycare, then made flashcards while my son napped in the afternoon. After my son went to bed, I did sample essays. I started the course 2 weeks early to account for a slower study schedule given my various family obligations, then got childcare for the last 3 weeks before the bar. Before the last 3 weeks, I probably studied 6 hours/day. During the last 3 weeks, it was more like 8-10. If you're taking the bar in WA, the home study course is only $200 extra, so it is definitely worth it!