Academic Success Program

We are here to help!

The ASP is a collaborative effort involving law school administration, faculty and students with the goal of assisting students in developing and enhancing the critical skills necessary for academic success in school, success on the bar exam and as an attorney.

The Academic Success Program consists of several components including a required first-year class for selected students which focuses on skill development in the context of substantive coursework, a series of skill development workshops for other students which is voluntary, a writing center, an online writing lab, individual tutoring in both substance and lawyering skills, counseling students, and a peer tutoring program as well as a specialized bar support mentoring program for third-year students.

Lectures and Workshops

The Academic Success Program lectures and workshops stress active learning, designed to enhance academic skills and performance in the areas of case analysis, synthesis of material, outlining, and test-taking. The lectures and workshops are open to all students.

The lectures and workshops continue into the second year to assist students in enhancing skills in the context of a substantive course. All students are invited to attend these lectures and workshops.

Peer Tutors

Tutors work with students assigned to the majority of first-year doctrinal courses and assist the students with working through problems and understanding the doctrinal coursework as well as developing their skills.

Writing Center

Available to all students, the Writing Center is designed to help law students improve their performance on writing assignments and in written communications by addressing English language issues such as syntax, paragraphing, organization, mechanics and clarity. By helping students in this manner, students will achieve long-term excellence in the legal profession by making more persuasive and logical arguments.

Online Writing Lab (“OWL”)

The Online Writing Lab—or “OWL”—at ASL houses free writing resources and instructional material on such issues as syntax, paragraphing, organization, mechanics and clarity. In addition, students are encouraged to use the OWL to submit brief, writing related questions to our Writing Consultant.

Bar Preparation Studies Course

The Bar Preparation Studies (BPS) class is a for-credit bar preparatory course offered during the Spring semester that builds on the analytical, writing and organizational skills taught across the ASL curriculum with the goal of enhancing the student’s ability to prepare for the July bar examination. Although the most intensive preparation for the bar will occur in the six to eight weeks before the bar examination, BPS will prepare students for that period of study and practice by introducing them to the format and components of the bar exam and the scope of the task, and by conveying information about study and organizational skills. Students will review selected substantive topics, learn methods by which to review the tested areas of law, complete practice essay, multiple choice and performance test questions, and receive individualized feedback on written answers. While this course focuses on the Multistate Bar Examination subjects—Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property and Torts—the class will also be divided into smaller sections, with additional meeting sessions to be scheduled, based on the state bar exam being taken by students.

Post-graduation Bar Support

Even after graduation, the Academic Support program continues to work with students who are preparing to sit for the July bar examination. Using a variety of instructional methods, students will continue to receive instruction and feedback on essays throughout the weeks leading up to the bar exam no matter where they are studying.

Bar Exam Mentoring

We also provide a bar mentoring program for third year students. The Bar Exam Mentoring Program provides students with an opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance on study tips, test procedures, and other general questions and concerns regarding the exam.

Online and Faculty Resources

Students should sign up for the ASP TWEN site to gain access to great law school resources including our exam bank, bar preparation materials, CALI lessons, and program updates. Students are also advised to use our faculty as a resource. Appalachian School of Law prides itself on having a faculty that is available and willing to help students reach their academic and career goals.