Read on Twitter
I deleted an earlier tweet with screenshots of a Facebook conversation about the Maryland Bar Exam out of privacy concerns from the students involved. Totally understand these concerns, so let me continue to be clear: we need to cancel the bar exam. A thread:
The gist of the conversation is that students at Maryland law schools have been told to put their studying on âpauseâ for two weeks because word is getting around that Maryland may postpone AGAIN. And, Maryland is considering a remote Bar Exam option.
Iâve been hesitant to be vocal about diploma privilege because my C&F application is pending and I donât want to jeopardize that. But enough is enough. The actions of those making these decisions have made it clear that they could care less whether we become lawyers.
A remote Bar Exam is incredibly problematic, and Iâm not even concerned about ethical obligations. Law studentsâ regular study habits have already been incredibly disrupted because of COVID-19. Students with children have faced unexpected interruptions.
Students who donât have access to reliable internet have been forced to find themselves in uncomfortable situations. Iâve heard of law students taking exams in their cars outside of McDonaldâs. I personally had to take mine with a family of 6 in/around the home.
Are we going to tell those students that they must sit in a public area to take the most important exam of their lives? God, I hope not. But it looks like that will be the case.
On another note, postponing the bar to September has had obvious issues with graduates determining a start date for jobs, mainly clerkships where being barred is not a requirement. However, becoming barred during a clerkship prompts a significant pay raise.
If we postpone the exam yet again until October, it is likely we will not know our results until well into January. Thatâs three-four months later than we originally signed up for. Thatâs three-four months of additional pay that I am not eligible for through no fault of my own.
During law school, we spend a significant amount of time studying professional responsibility. We are not blind to the fact that many of us will have lives in our hands one day. Through clinic and case work we are expected to be empathetic. Who will do the same for us?
