Why Do People Skip The Bar Exam After Graduation?

Why Do People Skip The Bar Exam After Graduation?

You’ve done it! You’ve successfully graduated from law school. First, congratulations! You have completed a major milestone in your professional career. Law school is no easy task, and you should be proud of your accomplishments! After law school graduation, almost every graduate will immediately start studying for the next administration of the bar exam. That’s right, after three long and grueling years of intense study…more studying. So, what if you don’t want to take the bar exam right away? Maybe you feel exhausted and need a break from everything. Maybe you never intended to practice law and always wanted to explore a JD Preferred career path. Whatever your reason, choosing to skip the bar exam after law school graduation is a personal decision. Let’s take a closer look at some reasons why students choose to skip the bar exam after law school graduation.

Why Do People Skip The Bar Exam After Graduation?

They’re Burnt Out

We’re sure you’ve heard the term “time to recharge the batteries.” For some students, the fatigue and stress of law school has  them feeling simply drained. Some students simply need time to destress from law schooland the excitement of graduation. Choosing to skip the next administration of the bar exam can allow recent graduates some time to unwind. That way they can dive into the following bar exam administration feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!

They Never Intended To Take The Bar Exam

Again, a very small number of students will graduate law school without taking bar exam right away or ever. Some students attending law school never intended to take the bar exam. These students plan to have a career where a law license simply is not required.

We’re sure you’ve heard the term “JD Preferred” by now. If not, JD Preferred means a category of jobs where bar passage isn’t required but where a law degree is beneficial. Some examples of JD Preferred jobs include contract administrators, alternative dispute resolution specialists, and regulatory analysts among others. Some students realize well into law school that they don’t want to practice law. That means they have no reason to take the bar exam and usually want to pursue a JD Preferred job.

They Continue Their Education

Believe it or not, some law school graduates skip taking the bar exam to further their education. The most common route that these students take is often to get their MBA, but that is not the only option!  Some students chase doctoral degrees, an LLM, or another master’s degree.

They Have External Obligations/Responsibilities

Sometimes life just gets in the way. Some students skip taking the bar exam after graduation simply because they have responsibilities outside of their control. These students may be caring for an elderly grandparent or parent, having or caring for a newborn baby, or want to take advantage of a unique investment opportunity.

The Wisconsin Diploma Privilege

Last but certainly not least – some students skip taking the bar exam right after graduation because…well…Wisconsin. Wisconsin is the only state in which graduates of Wisconsin ABA-accredited law schools don’t have to take the Wisconsin Bar Exam! That’s right, you don’t need to pass the Wisconsin Bar Exam in order to practice law in Wisconsin. Currently, there are only two ABA-accredited law schools in Wisconsin. They are Marquette University School of Law and the University of Wisconsin School of Law. Students who graduate from either of these two law schools and plan to practice law in Wisconsin don’t have to take the bar exam!

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