Tomorrow morning Eve and I leave for Roanoke to take the Virginia bar exam.
6 hours of essay-writing on Tuesday, 6 hours of filling in bubbles with number two pencils on Wednesday, and 3 agonizing months of waiting for the results are all that stands between me and a dream I've had since 8th grade (1983 for those keeping score).
I've attended the lectures. Done 2100 multiple choice problems. Outlined 165 practice essays. A few more hours of review today, a couple practice essays tomorrow, and I'll have done all I can do.
Dum dum DUM!
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
Good luck!
(I know you're going to do fine.)
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Congratulations on making it this far, and good luck!
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
I was born in 1983 . . .
Must be a lucky year. You're certain to pass, then .
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Good luck.
I hope you pass it first time. I know that's sort of not the norm (well, really I don't know about Virginia, but I hear stories of how few pass the first time...), but I just think it should happen to you anyway.
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
Good luck, Dag.
Kick some bar exam butt!
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Good luck I'll know who to call if I need to sue someone. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Best of luck Dag.
Not to jinx you, but can't you retake it if you don't pass it the first time? I thought that most people need to take it more than once in order to pass it...
Not that you will, of course. although you WILL be without Hatrack during it....
NOW I am scared. A Hatrack without Dag? I may have to take the next few days off.
Wait. I can't do that, Tante will have passed me in post counts by then if I do. Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Nice work, Dagonee... Now put all that hard work into action!!! Git 'er done.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Thanks, everyone!
Here's info on pass rates:
91.2% of '05 UVA grads passed the bar last year.
96% for those who took BarBri (Eve and I both did).
74% pass rate overall in Virginia.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Dags has this thing in the bag. Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
Wonder what the pass rate for VA 'non-first time takers' would be?
edit - duh. algebra. prob about 63%
[ July 23, 2006, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: cmc ]
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Good luck Dag!
Posted by Jeesh (Member # 9163) on :
Luck!
<Crosses fingers>
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
Best of luck to you and bunbun! Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Break a leg, Dag!
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Good luck.
Posted by Jeesh (Member # 9163) on :
quote:Originally posted by romanylass: Break a leg, Dag!
Don't, it hurts...
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
I'm a firm believer that some good luck is always a good thing, even when-like now-it sounds as though you won't be needing it.
So...good luck! Kick ass and take names:)
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Break a pencil. Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Good luck! I'm sure you'll both do well.
-pH
Posted by Zotto! (Member # 4689) on :
You both will do great, dude. Good luck.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Go Dagonee! Go bunbun!
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Best of luck!
And hurry. We're a bunch who can really use legal representation...
Posted by Jeesh (Member # 9163) on :
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Wishing you both luck. Don't forget to eat. Don't forget those pencils. Give yourselves a hug at the end of each day. (Probably don't need to remind you to do that.)
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Sort of random - how do you pronounce your name, Iarisse?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Good luck!!!
Posted by Silent E (Member # 8840) on :
That's a pretty sweet pass rate in Virginia. The first time I took the Nevada bar, the pass rate was 59%.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Good luck Dag!!! I'll be rooting for you, I know you'll do us proud. Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
You'll kick ass. I just feel bad for the inferiority complexes your graders will develop.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
quote:Originally posted by cmc: Sort of random - how do you pronounce your name, Iarisse?
not to hijack Dag's thread or anything, but it's pronounced lah-reese.
/end of hijack
[ July 23, 2006, 10:06 PM: Message edited by: larisse ]
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
**looks pitiful and slinks back into the hijackers corner**
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
Kick ass, take names, yadda yadda.
Here's knowin you'll do well!
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
Good luck, Dagonee!
(incidentally, fugu, i can't believe you're only a year older than me! i definitely thought you were mid-to-late twenties!)
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Wahoo Wah, dude.
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
prayers said, well wishes locked and loaded. Knock 'em dead, kids. Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Good luck Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Thanks, everyone!
Eve says thanks, too.
We're using visualization to keep from getting nervous. She's going to imagine the bar exam as the fuzzy little guy with big eyes from Madagascar. When she opens the exam book, she'll think ka-click and the bar exam will wet itself.
Me, I'm just going in with my mental light saber. It's what got me through law school.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
Good luck!!
I know you will rock it.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
Good luck Dag! You're going to kick some butt!
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Break a leg!
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
The bar exam is a baby lemur.... Love it!!!
I know you both will do great! Sending lots of positive vibes.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: When she opens the exam book, she'll think ka-click and the bar exam will wet itself.
Funny, I'd think that would not be what you wanted something sitting that close to your lap to do . . .
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
If I were the VA bar exam, I'd be scared out my briefs right now.
I bet it's staying up all night worrying.
Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
You'll do fine. Just keep up that positive visualization. I'll be sending good vibes in your direction.
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
Good luck Dag!
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Can you take a Fig Newton into the exam? The last Big Scary Exam I had to take allowed no outside materials in, but I let them inspect my Fig Newton, and explained that if my concentration flagged, I might need it as a pick-me-up, and besides, I was too nervous to have a good breakfast. They waivered my Fig Newton, and it was nice to have with me. It turns out I didn't need it after all, and I ate it on the way home from the test.
I had an uncle who could never pass the bar, no matter how many times he tried. He didn't go to law school or anything, he was just a big drinker.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Good luck to both of you. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Best of luck to both of you! I know you'll do well.
*edit to snort at Tante's uncle joke*
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Good luck, Dag!
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
I'd wish you luck, but given the frequently contentious nature of our posting, I'm just gonna say, "Feh! You arrogant twit, like you need luck, let alone from me...!"
Posted by Lissande (Member # 350) on :
Crossing my fingers for you both!
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
Good luck, Dag!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Dag, I have faith in you. You'll make it through, I just know it.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Many prayers on your behalf, Dag! Do your best!
(and ignore that e-mail I just sent you because obviously you are away and don't need to be worrying about e-mail right now!)
FG
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: Tomorrow morning Eve and I leave for Roanoke to take the Virginia bar exam.
6 hours of essay-writing on Tuesday, 6 hours of filling in bubbles with number two pencils on Wednesday, and 3 agonizing months of waiting for the results are all that stands between me and a dream I've had since 8th grade (1983 for those keeping score).
I've attended the lectures. Done 2100 multiple choice problems. Outlined 165 practice essays. A few more hours of review today, a couple practice essays tomorrow, and I'll have done all I can do.
Dum dum DUM!
I once read a study on the circumstances around Patrick Henry's completion of the Bar exam, I suggest you poke around on the internet it will make you more than alittle upset, how much ease attended his passing the exam. He was not even smart, he just impressed the examiner with his sense of justice.
oh and BTW
The best of circumstances on this momentous undertaking.
You are approximately 36 years old Dag?
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Good luck, Dag. I'm sure you'll knock 'em dead.
Posted by David G (Member # 8872) on :
Dag,
I took the Virginia bar exam in Roanoke 15 years ago. It sounds like you are better prepared than I was, plus you are much smarter - you will do great.
I just recommend not talking to anyone after the exam to compare your respective answers to questions. After talking to fellow test-takers, it appeared I had different answers than everyone else, and I was sure I failed. Fortunately, I passed, but it just made me crazier waiting for the results.
Good luck.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
at Tante and Bob.
Posted by ssasse (Member # 9516) on :
*thinking of you today, Dagonee
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Luck and good wishes.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*crosses toes*
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Thanks for the good thoughts! We were both able to type intelligibly for the full time on each essay, which is pretty much all I could hope for at this point. Tomorrow is 200 multiple choice. We've each done two full-blown simulated multiple choice exams during preparation, so we're much more comfortable going into tomorrow.
Halfway home!
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Nice job... *continues to think wicked smaht thoughts*
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Break a leg... then sue.
:::lawyer jokes!:::
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yay! Keep up the good work!
Posted by Jeesh (Member # 9163) on :
*Continues to wish GOOD LUCK!*
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Sorry I saw this so late! Good luck, you guy and gal! (I don't think luck will have a single thing to do with it, though...)
Posted by David G (Member # 8872) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: Halfway home!
Isn't the score on the essay questions given greater weight than the score on the multiple choice questions? If so, then you are more than halfway home.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Why did I think that Eve was going into a different profession? I had no idea she was in law school as well. I suppose it makes sense. I can't imagine both of you having to prepare for the bar at the same time though! I can see how it would be kind of fun and helpful as well as stressful and crazy. Good luck tomorrow!
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
And what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall during some of their dinner-time debates!
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Good deal.
Why would I want to hear lawyers argue? Without a judge nothing would ever be settled!
And even then the one who lost would blame the judges liberal bias. Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Random story... An Aunt was studying for the bar and for some unknown reason had decided to get a puppy shortly before the test. As she was studying, he decided the best place to, well, urinate was on the docket number of one of the cases she was studying... His name became Docket and we all loved him well.
Here's to you two have some great stories to tell of your preparation for and passing of the Bar!
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Dag....I used one of your personal recipes from the cookbook page when I went over to Icky's house last night.
The Bambino's ROCKED! Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
DONE!
Beer and pool now. Post later. Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
We need an applause smilie.
--j_k
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Woo-hooo!!!!!
Posted by Jeesh (Member # 9163) on :
Yay!!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Brilliant work Dag, try to stay out of legal trouble while they consider the results of your bar exam.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Now we expect your full attention. Back to keeping us edified.
Posted by Jeesh (Member # 9163) on :
BB
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*Offers toast to the dedicated duo with a chilled Negra Modelo with lime*
*smile*
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
Cheers!
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Aww, gee, I stay off Hatrack for a few days and Dag takes the bar! Retroactive best wishes. Roanoke is beautiful--not that you probably were paying much attention to the scenery. Then again, I guess if you were at UVA you know all about beautiful.
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Congrats on making it through... No pool hall fights!!!
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
Congrats, y'all Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by James Tiberius Kirk: We need an applause smilie.
<-- one hand clapping
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
Hey, there's a clapping gremlin on Nauvoo, why don't we have it here?
High five, Shvester: Wait ... wait ... I keep missing ... hold still!
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Congratulations!
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
We're back from the beach. I think our brains are still numb.
It really was cheering to bring up this thread while we were in Roanoke. It's good to see people rooting for you.
quote:Why did I think that Eve was going into a different profession? I had no idea she was in law school as well. I suppose it makes sense. I can't imagine both of you having to prepare for the bar at the same time though! I can see how it would be kind of fun and helpful as well as stressful and crazy. Good luck tomorrow!
Eve received her JD in 2000. She took the bar this year so she can practice in Virginia.
She's going back to school, though, to get an M.A. in Historical Preservation. It's well-matched to a law license, whether she decides to be a lawyer specializing in HP or a preservationist who brings a law license to the table. HP deals heavily with admin law, land use law, tax, and, of course, real property law.
The two of us studying was overall a major plus. There were times when one of us had to say, "I can't talk about that any more." And we had a closed door system for when interruptions were and were not allowed.
But overall, having someone right there who knows what you're going through is great.
quote:You are approximately 36 years old Dag?
Still 35, thank you very much.
quote:I just recommend not talking to anyone after the exam to compare your respective answers to questions. After talking to fellow test-takers, it appeared I had different answers than everyone else, and I was sure I failed. Fortunately, I passed, but it just made me crazier waiting for the results.
Issues I forgot or got wrong are still popping into my head. I forgot the real property aspect on a statute of frauds question - very embarrassing, because I know the SoF. I only dealt w/ the service contract over a year aspect.
I'm handling it by reminding myself that 75% pass, and a passing grade is a 7 on each essay. So the 25 percentile is a 7 out of 10 - the grading can't be incredibly strict.
quote:I used one of your personal recipes from the cookbook page when I went over to Icky's house last night.
The Bambino's ROCKED!
The bambinos are far better than the sum of their parts. Glad you enjoyed them.
Next time you need to impress a dinner guest, try the lamb patties. Jim-Me can vouch for them.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Icky's kids enjoyed the bambino's as well. I am not a fan of Lamb, but JenniK is, so we might try them eventually. Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
Welcome back, Dagonee, and congratulations for surviving it.
I'm going to be in a panic in a few years when I have to do this, and I really admire those who can handle the whole thing calmly as you seem to have done.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
quote:I'm going to be in a panic in a few years when I have to do this, and I really admire those who can handle the whole thing calmly as you seem to have done.
Don't be deceived about how calm I was. The key isn't not to panic, but to know you will panic at some point and to plan how you're going to handle it.
Virginia, at least, doesn't try to trick you. They want you to know the rule and most of the exceptions, but it's specifically the common stuff, not some obscure 1890 case that declares that oral contracts for tobacco goods are exempt from the statute of frauds if made in an auction house (that's a made up example).
Plus, stating the rule is only part of the credit. The rest is applying the facts to whichever rule you stated. So, if you misremember, you can get passing credit by providing good factual analysis to an incorrect rule covering the relevant issues, even if you make up a rule on the spot.
The Virginia bar examiners are pretty nice.
On the other hand, the MBE authors are sadistic bastards.
Just do the Bar Bri and PMBR course, doing what they say when they say to do it, and you'll be fine.
[ August 01, 2006, 07:59 PM: Message edited by: Dagonee ]
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Dag, I completely missed it when you posted that you were done a couple of days ago. Congratulations!
Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :
I'm sure you'll make it. Congrats on, as Celaeno put it, surviving it.
Posted by kaminari (Member # 9622) on :
You can claim that you're hypoglycemic and need the newtons to survive. I'd go with strawberry, those were awesome. Did you ever break off the sides first so that you'd be left with a strawberry jam sandwich? Now that I think of it an all-jam sandwich doesn't sound so appealing. Oh, and as a tribute to me, if this hypoglycemia thing works, you have to promise to scream out "THE NEWTONS!", while raising the roof, during one of the breaks.
I don't know what happened but somewhere amidst my sadistic imagery I forgot to wish you good luck. Kick ass man.
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
kam, you probably missed page 2--Dag and his wife bunbun already took the bar.
I have high hopes you both passed!
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Congrats on the finish! I know you two did wonderfully. Posted by kaminari (Member # 9622) on :
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BB
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