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Virtual Bar Exam Summit (June 5-7)
By Ms. JD Editor • May 24, 2020 •Ms. JD, Law School, Features, Bar Exam
Ms. JD is proud to serve as a Community Sponsor for this free Virtual Bar Exam Summit hosted by Vinco Prep: Join former Ms. JD Writer-in-Residence and Owner of Vinco Prep, Keriann Stout, in three days of free, virtual programming to examine bar preparation strategies and study tips. Register here.
Important Ways to Volunteer and Empower Women of All Ages
By Anonymous • August 31, 2021 •Issues, Mentoring and Networking, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Features, Superwomen JDs and What You Can Learn From Them
For years now, we celebrated the various significant contributions of women from all around the world by dedicating one month of the year to it. However, stories that inspire and drive others to contribute to meaningful change need not remain within the 30-day period of the Women’s History celebration. Here are some ways for anyone, anytime, to make a difference in and uplift the lives of young girls and women of all colors and backgrounds. Empower Young Women Being a role model for girls and young women is important. Whenever possible, empower them to be strong, independent…
Learning from Failure: Positive Affirmations for Bar Exam Retakers
By Ms. JD Editor • August 09, 2021 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Features, Bar Exam
“I don’t know what your future is. . . But if you’re willing to take the harder way, the more complicated one, the one with more failures at first than successes . . . then you will not regret it.” - Chadwick Boseman, 2018 Howard University Commencement Speech. About 20-30% of bar examiners will fail the bar exam. If you are one of them, you are not the first nor will you be the last person to do so. At the time, it may be difficult to see this “failure” as a learning experience which can help you grow…
You can be authentic AND get accepted into your dream law school
By Ms. JD Editor • August 06, 2021 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Features, Bar Exam
Myth: You need to be the perfect applicant to get into your dream school. Exactly one year ago, I locked myself in my room, deleted my Twitter, and avoided any outside interactions. There were two reasons for this behavior: I had just began quarantining from the Coronavirus pandemic, and I was studying for what I thought was the most important test of my life: the LSAT. As I spent my days buried in my textbooks and laptop, I wrote the number “173” on a sticky note and placed it onto my mirror. This was the median LSAT…
The Road Less Traveled: 10 Things to Remember as a First-Generation Law Graduate Sitting for the Bar Exam
By Ms. JD Editor • July 29, 2021 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Features, Bar Exam
“I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams.” – Unknown This past year has been a year like no other. A year full of social unrest, with an unprecedented global pandemic and an economic crisis. Despite these circumstances, thousands of law school graduates are studying and sitting for the Bar exam. Many of whom are first-generation law graduates. Being the first is never easy. When you are the first, you’re repeatedly in the position where you learn life lessons through "trial by error." As a first-generation law student, you often create the course rather than have a path to follow. Sometimes the…
The Neurodiverse Guide to Bar Exam Accessibility
By Ms. JD Editor • July 28, 2021 •Writers in Residence, Features, Bar Exam
It’s hard enough to study for the bar. It shouldn’t be harder if you learn differently. I always end up reflecting on some form of isolated feeling during law school. As an autistic law student, I often felt alone. I didn’t know anyone else who had a similar disability until nearly the end of my 3L year and I spent law school accommodating myself in how I studied, took notes, and navigated the law school culture. I’m hardly the only one who was neurodivergent in law school, in law practice, or in that…
How To Avoid Harassment and Know Your Rights: The Fair Debt Collection Process
By Anonymous • May 10, 2021 •Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Other Issues, Features, Myths & Truths
When many people think of the stereotypical debt collector, it's a hardened scoundrel of melodrama infamy that tries to throw widows and orphans into the lane, because rent is inflated. Although it's tempting to portray these people as shameful villains — and some of their behaviors were history's less than admirable — one thing is essential to remember: no one has to borrow money. Finally, it is because of the option of borrowing money that you owe a debt. Your creditor issued your loan or credit line on your guarantee of the payment of this loan. Loans are beneficial, you…
5 Reasons Why Women are Effective Leaders
By Anonymous • December 29, 2020 •Careers, Other Career Issues, Issues, Other Issues, Features, Myths & Truths
Diversity in gender is still a debatable topic especially when it comes to leadership positions. We've known that women made tremendous efforts and tons of work to be where they are currently, yet some are still struggling in proving to the world that they are equally smart as men and that they also deserve to be leaders. Take Sabahat Akhter for example, she is the Project manager for leading printing companies like Imprint. Imprint produces promotional products like custom coffee mugs, yard signs, etc, whether it's for advertorial, marketing, business, or personal use. She has experience in data management and product…
What Ruth Taught Me
By Diana LaMorie • October 01, 2020 •Features, First Women, Superwomen JDs and What You Can Learn From Them
"I'm sorry about RBG, I know how much she meant to you," said my husband, who was first to read the news. My mind went blank. I may have blurted out "that's okay." My mind could not fathom the enormity of this sad occasion at the instant moment. It's obviously not okay. The introvert in me needed to do some deep thinking before I could process my thoughts and feelings. But the man knows me best, so of course he was right. While I didn't know her personally, like so many others my life and career have been touched by Ruth Bader Ginsburg's…