Our students thrive
Since 1998, BARBRI Law Preview has been helping students find success in law schools across the country. Consistently, they attribute their law school success to Law Preview and the important difference it made for them during their first year and beyond.
"As an older student, Law Preview provided a good overview of what to expect, both in terms of law and in terms of rejoining the academic environment. In fact, my preparation for law preview alone by briefing 40 cases over the summer allowed me to hit the ground running. The professors at law preview were so good, that even though I have enjoyed my professors during 1L, I remember them fondly and wish I could take their law classes. [Ranked top 10% after first semester]."
Anonymous, University of Baltimore School of Law, Class of 2012
"Before starting law school I had no idea what a case brief was or what to expect in law school. After taking the Law Preview course all of my anxieties were gone and I was confident that I could excel in law school. The recommended reading and outlining schedule helped me organize my time (which is one of the hardest things to master during your 1L year) and the e-mail reminders throughout the year gave me the guidance I needed to put my best foot forward in law school. Furthermore, the hornbooks I received from the program helped me master my 1L classes. My high grades from 1L year were undoubtedly influenced by my experience in the Law Preview course and I would definitely recommend that prospective law students take this course."
Camilla G., University of Pennsylvania Law School, Class of 2013
"I was prepared for the doctrinal exposure. I could see the forest for the trees and knew how to case brief. My class participation boosted my overall grades in part because I case brief consistently as instructed. Overall, very worthwhile experience for an educational journey where so much of the process is not explained by one’s school."
Anonymous, Brooklyn Law School, Class of 2023
"Law Preview provided a terrific framework for approaching 1L with time-tested study and exam techniques. Don’s particular words, “don’t get outworked,” are part of my daily mantra. I have been laser-focused on my studies and doing everything that I can using the tips and techniques from Law Preview to achieve top marks. Overall, Law Preview cuts through the fat and provides the most essential tips and roadmap for success in 1L and beyond."
Anonymous, Georgetown University Law Center, Class of 2024
"Law Preview gave me both an introduction and an overview of all my first year courses that proved a strong foundation for the success I achieved."
David P., Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Class of 2021
"The study skills I learned from Law Preview left me feeling prepared during exam season and resulted in a higher GPA than I was expecting from my first semester."
Claire A., University of Richmond School of Law, Class of 2024
"Law Preview is an intense one-week course that gives you a real sense of what 1L looks like: It asks you to read fifty pages a day, make case outlines, and get prepared to be called on by instructors who are experienced professors from great law schools. I felt a lot of pressure when taking the course, but that is exactly 1L, isn’t it? Looking back, I cannot imagine what my law school journey would be like if I did not take the course. The study methods taught in the course helped me get good grades in 1L, and those grades played a crucial role in my applications for 1L and 2L summer internships. All start from that ‘painful’ yet amazingly productive week, so I cannot say enough how impactful it is to my law school journey and my legal career."
Han S., University of Washington School of Law, Class of 2022
"Law Preview helped give me tools and confidence I needed to achieve my much higher than average GPA. Without the study tools and habits, I would not have done as well as a student returning to school after six years in a journalism career."
Catherine A., Florida State University College of Law, Class of 2022
"Law Preview really helped me prepare for my first year of law school. Going into NYU Law, I was a bit nervous; I had heard about how daunting the first year of law school could be and had no idea what I was getting myself into. Law Preview really exposed me to what to expect during my first year and how best to schedule my time, organize myself, and maintain a calm composure that really helped me not only succeed in my first year of law school but enjoy my time. I think that is perhaps the most important part — beyond succeeding in school — is learning how best to enjoy it. Having been introduced to and somewhat familiar with the first year curriculum and having experienced the amazing faculty that the Law Preview program offers, I really got to enjoy my first year in ways that my peers did not."
Alex, New York University School of Law, Class of 2012
"Law Preview provided me with a huge advantage over my colleagues. I felt comfortable from day 1 briefing cases and had a lot more familiarity with law school exams as well as the subject matter of the courses."
Katie G., Northern Illinois University College of Law, Class of 2022
"Law Preview taught me the habits that I used to succeed during my first semester of law school. Had it not been for the class, I would not have understood the importance of briefing cases, integrating my notes from class with my initial notes, and outlining, and how these practices impact performance on the final exam. Because I knew how imperative it was to discipline myself into practicing these strategies on a daily basis, I was able to stick to an efficient schedule that ultimately produced successful results."
Monica C. Georgetown University Law Center, Class of 2021
"I felt far more prepared going into 1L knowing what a case brief was and how to prepare for exams. Learning snippets of 1L courses was also helpful as I dove in to my 1L curriculum."
Jordan J., University of Chicago Law School, Class of 2023
"First, a note about my rank: University of Michigan does not rank its students. I do know, however, that our classes are curved around a mean of 3.19, which means that 50% of students get higher than that GPA overall. Also, I’ve heard that a 3.4 represents the lower limit of the 25th percentile. After my first year at UM Law, I have a 3.75 GPA. I went in with an LSAT that put me in the lowest quartile, and now I have a GPA that puts me maybe in the top 10% of the class! At the beginning of the year, my goal was to get a 3.2, and I have exceeded that by far. I believe that part of the reason for my success was indeed the Law Preview program. By taking Law Preview, I was able to get a solid base for all the substantive material that I was to learn in class. In at least every one of my first year courses, I read cases that I read in Law Preview. For example, in Torts during my first semester at law school, I think the first 3 cases we read I had read in Law Preview. That gave me a huge advantage in class because while doing my reading, I knew what to look for and what nuances were important. Also, I was able to participate confidently in those classes. Also, procedurally, Law Preview helped me tremendously. I knew how to brief cases before the first day of class so when I was engaging in my reading, I could really focus on the material. My classmates at this time were still struggling with their cases briefs. Also, I closely followed the suggested schedule that Law Preview gave us and kicked into high gear at the appropriate moments. I was able to finish my outlines by the last day of class and was able to use our entire study period brushing up on material, using my study aids, and taking practice tests. Again, at this time my classmates were barely finishing their outlines and maybe taking one practice test. I believe both the substantive and procedural information I learned from Law Preview was monumental to my success in my first year of law school and enabled me to achieve much more than I had expected. Thank you!"
Anonymous, University of Michigan Law School, Class of 2011
"University of Miami doesn’t rank the 1L class until after the Spring Semester. However, I received a 3.75/4.0, which I was very pleased with. I definitely believe that attending Law Preview had a lot to do with my success. Law Preview taught me that is was necessary to put in more hours than I could have ever imagined. Without knowing that it takes that type of effort to do well I may have never put in the extra time, because I did not see all my peers spending that much time on a day to day basis. At times it did feel as if the tips from Law Preview created another source of stress, because it was hard to keep up with the Law Preview schedule. However, when it was all said and done I have to contribute a large portion of my success to what I learned at Law Preview."
Anonymous, University of Miami School of Law, Class of 2011
"It definitely gave me a plan of action. I felt like I definitely had an upper hand on how to study, and I knew that I couldn’t cut corners and expect to end up on top. I feel like it was an invaluable part of helping me be successful and landing in the top 10% which was my goal."
Anonymous, University of South Carolina School of Law, Class of 2013
"I think Law Preview prepared me for what law school would look and feel like. The interactive mock classes with professors gave me a baseline foundation of terms and information, but the setting allowed me to ascertain what being in a law classroom would be like."
Lexi W., University of Michigan Law School, Class of 2022
"Latham & Watkins’ genuine commitment to diversity, inclusion, and excellence has had a tremendous impact on both my academic and professional career. In 2019, Latham gave me a scholarship to attend Law Preview prior to entering Stanford Law School — a truly unique opportunity that gave me the foresight to succeed in my first year of law school. The program armed me with the key concepts of the first-year curriculum and taught me how to prepare for classes and exams early, efficiently, and effectively. Based on my academic achievements, not only was I invited to join the Stanford Law Review, but I also joined Latham as a 1L Summer Associate and received an offer to return next summer (as well as Latham’s 2L Diversity Scholarship). I will be forever grateful that Latham invested ~$1000 in my academic success prior to starting law school — their initial investment in me has paid dividends. Law Preview clearly had a significant impact on my success at Stanford Law School. If law school were karate, Don Macaulay would be the Mr. Miyagi of the legal community."
Daniel K., Stanford Law School, Class of 2023 (President of the Stanford Law Review)
"Law Preview gave me the confidence and the tool set to hit the ground running during the first semester. While other students were falling behind on the readings, not studying smartly, and fearing the inevitable Socratic exchange, I was confidently working (instead of struggling) through the semester. When finals arrived, I knew how to study, what to study, and had a great overall plan to arrive in a good spot at the end of the semester. I’m glad I took Law Preview before beginning my law school career. I would have been lost without it."
Dustin L., Southwestern Law School, Class of 2011
"The summer before my 1L, I thought I knew what to expect going into law school. Once I began watching the Law Preview videos, I realized that law school is a different game than undergrad. Law Preview gave me the tools I need to succeed in my fall 1L. I made Dean’s List, and using the study techniques I learned in Law Preview, I know the ways that I can continue to succeed throughout my law school career. I want to say ‘thank you’ to the folks at Law Preview, especially Don, for giving me the confidence to grow as a future lawyer and to enjoy the ride."
Danielle D., Cornell Law School, Class of 2023
"Rutgers doesnt rank [after first semester]. Based on my GPA, I’m probably top 15%. Law Preview helped give an overview of the substantive areas, sampling of the Socratic method, practical advice about how to approach law school, especially the study calendar."
David E., Rutgers University School of Law, Class of 2011
"On the first day of law school classes, I felt completely prepared for the experience. I was already ahead of most of my class in knowing how to brief a case, create an outline, and take lecture notes that would help me prepare for exams. I also had a unique understanding of the subject material in my first-year classes due to the fantastic road map provided by each of my Law Preview professors. I’m currently ranked #1 out of 320 students and I don’t think I would be having nearly the academic success that I’m having today without the solid grounding that Law Preview provided. I can’t say enough good things about my Law Preview experience — it was worth every dime and a whole lot more. It may be the best-kept secret for how to prepare and succeed in law school!"
James C., Seattle University School of Law, Class of 2012
"Last summer I was fortunate to receive a Law Preview Scholarship. The experience was particularly useful to me as a first generation law student. The class introduced me not only to doctrinal material from the first-year curriculum but it also exposed me to the law school nuances no one had told me about, like the Socratic method, briefing cases, and accessing prior exams as study aids. The benefits of being a Law Preview alum are numerous. I am still in contact with some of the students I met during the class. I also have access to Barbri webinars, which provide information on useful skills for the first year of law school and beyond, and the Job Network, which grants access to many of the law firm partners BARBRI has."
Carla L., Harvard Law School, 2020
"Law Preview helped me stay focused and goal-oriented. It made me realize that I wasn’t wasting time studying and thoroughly learning each case as I briefed. Law Preview also gave me a better idea of what to expect from the workload, the other students, and from the professors. I didn’t feel lost at all when classes started."
Kendra K., University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law, Class of 2013
"It was absolutely worth it – it got me used to the Socratic method expected out of first semester, and the exam prep provided an invaluable insight into what to expect."
Anonymous, Seton Hall University School of Law, Class of 2022
"I would absolutely suggest Law Preview to any student about to enter law school, especially if you are looking to end your 1L year at the top of your class. When all of my classmates were confused on how to study for class, prepare outlines, or write exam answers, Law Preview was my guide. I felt comfortable and prepared going into exam time, and without Law Preview, I know this could NOT have been possible. Law Preview gave me a huge advantage over other students in my class. Further, I was able to have in-depth analysis and discussions with professors about our case material since I had already encountered it during Law Preview. I owe my successful 1L year, and a shot at transferring to a top-25 law school, to Don and the distinguished professors at the program. Law Preview is the best preparation any student could do before entering law school. Thank you!!! [Ranked #4 out of 126 students after the 1L year]."
Anonymous, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Class of 2013
"Having come from an atypical background for a law student, I had very little idea what to expect from law school, other than its general difficulty. Law Preview gave me solid expectations and the tools (especially the calendar) to maintain a high level of focus, productivity, and time management that allowed me to succeed. I have no doubt Law Preview led to my high GPA and my placement in what is historically the 10% of the class during an incredibly competitive year. I would (and have) recommended Law Preview to any prospective law student."
Sam N., Boston University School of Law, Class of 2024
"It made me more confident in the material and briefing in the beginning, and the review videos were a great review for the final. I definitely tried to work to the BARBRI time schedule as well to devote that many hours to school work."
Anonymous, Boston University School of Law, Class of 2024
"It was fabulous, and really realistic about how much was needed for certain placements in class rank. If I followed their advice to the letter I think I could have made the top percent."
Taylor B., Boston College Law School, Class of 2012
"I wanted to follow up with you about a phone conversation we had a few months ago about my transfer options from Michigan State Law. I’ve been accepted at Tulane and William and Mary, and waitlisted at Georgetown–my final GPA from 1L was 3.8. I’m leaning toward William and Mary, and I wanted to thank you for the invaluable advice and confidence you gave me. I hardly anticipated the personal attention I received, but I am very grateful for it! Please feel free to include this as a testimonial in any of your company’s promotional materials: Law Preview rocks!"
Anonymous, Michigan State University Detroit College of Law, Class of 2013 (transferred to William & Mary Law School)
"I think it helped me be better prepared for my classes and how to study for finals."
Anonymous, University of Southern California Law School, Class of 2022