Law Preview reviews

Our alums explain how Law Preview has helped thousands of incoming 1Ls become top law students

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.

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"Law Preview prepared me for what I should expect with law school in regards to course load, outlining, type of people that will surround you, and how professors teach. ‘Law school’ sounds intimidating, but like with anything you do in life, to be successful you must prepare yourself. Law Preview is almost necessary, because why would you put your heart into something for three years, and not use a source like Law Preview to put you a step ahead of your peers? Law Preview should be considered an essential step to the Law School process if you want to be ahead of the competition, or help with the stress that comes with law school."
Ryan B., University of Baltimore School of Law, Class of 2013
"I was able to achieve a 3.9 GPA during my first semester, and I was even asked to serve as a TA by one of my professors. I believe that my Law Preview course definitely contributed to my academic success so far, and I plan to continue applying Law Preview strategies for the rest of my law school career. I think the most important thing that helped me was being consistent about working hard throughout the semester. Law Preview’s email reminders and tips throughout the fall semester really helped keep me on track."
Anonymous, Columbia University Law School, 2019
"It prepared me to know what to expect and how to manage the task load with a solid background and foundation to enhance my learning capabilities."
Barbara H., Northeastern University School of Law, 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 helped me tremendously with adjusting to the challenges of a first-year law school curriculum. Getting a head start on my studies helped me to get into the right frame of mind and gave me a clear competitive advantage. As a first-generation professional from an underrepresented minority group, getting a preview like that was immensely useful in navigating my first year. I could not have succeeded the way I did without BARBRI Law Preview."
Wellington M., Yale Law School, Class of 2022
"Hi Don – I hope you are well and apologies that we haven’t touched base in so long! You may remember giving me quite an impactful pep talk before I began my 1L year at Stanford last year; you also put me in touch with Daniel K., who has since become a friend of mine (and my “boss” on Stanford Law Review, actually!). With your and Law Preview’s help, I had a pretty strong year! More Hs than Ps on my transcript, and a job offer with Latham & Watkins DC for next summer."
Anonymous, Stanford Law School, Class of 2023
"Law Preview prepared me to excel in my first semester. I have my undergraduate degree in nursing. Nursing school and law school are nothing alike. Had I not completed the Law Preview course I know I would have spent the first 8 to 10 weeks figuring out what was going on and trying to understand what the professors were talking about. Knowing in advance what a case brief was, how to complete one, how to immediately begin outlining each of my classes, and other basics of how material is presented in law school helped me tremendously. I felt much more confident in myself and my grades were definitely higher than what they would have been without Law Preview."
Natalia S., Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Class of 2022
"I just wanted to shoot you a quick email to give you another Law Preview success story. I took Law Preview last summer in DC before my 1L year. Upon starting law school, I felt very prepared and confident, largely in part to the preparation I received in Law Preview. I booked a class, and finished in the Spring in with all A’s. I started at a tier 4 law school, Florida Coastal School of Law, and have made huge leaps in the law school rankings through my transfer acceptances at American and George Washington University School of Law — I am still waiting on hearing back on my transfer application from Vanderbilt and Georgetown (my #1 choice). I just wanted to shoot you a quick email to thank you for the program and share some success."
Ashley M., Florida Coastal School of Law, Class of 2012 (transferred to George Washington University Law School)
"Very helpful and gave me a much needed head start"
Anonymous, Syracuse University College of Law, Class of 2021
"Law Preview was tremendous in helping me shoot out of the gate strong. From the first day I walked on campus I had a plan and a purpose thanks to LP. In addition to the organizational and structural advantages I had thanks to the schedule and preparation materials, I left LP with a sense of confidence. Law Preview really helped be demystify the law, in breaking it down into something practical and manageable. I also believe that the long hours during the program set my expectations for the amount of time and effort I needed to be successful, which led to a smooth and natural transition into the real thing. I would recommend this program to anyone who is entering law school, especially in this market where grades are EVERYTHING. [Ranked 5 out of 339]."
Anonymous, St. Mary’s University School of Law, Class of 2012 (transferred to SMU Dedman School of Law)
"Law Preview was completely responsible for my ability to hit the ground running fall semester of my 1L year. I knew how to brief a case, how to approach outlining, and what to expect from exams. Armed with my study calendar, I jumped into my first year nervous but prepared. I think my 4.28 GPA was significantly helped by attending Law Preview and utilizing the tools it gave me. Shout-out to Don Macaulay, an MVP mentor who provides pre- and post-Law Preview guidance throughout your 1L year and beyond."
Susan P., Pepperdine University School of Law, Class of 2023 (transferred to Harvard Law School)
"Law Preview gave me confidence entering law school after 11 years of post-graduate work. I ended up in the top 25% of my class, and I couldn’t be happier with the skills Law Preview provided me."
Alex K., Emory University School of Law, Class of 2024
"As someone who had been out of school for a while, Law Preview really set me up for success in fall of 1L. Having already been introduced to many of the topics we would discuss, I found it was much easier to understand and retain the material as it was introduced. The test taking and time management strategies also helped me minimize the exam stress at the end of the semester that plagued my classmates while still making it on the honor roll!"
Anonymous, Notre Dame Law School, Class of 2023
"Law preview gave a nice introduction to the rigors of law school. Students can ease their anxiety by gaining a clearer picture of what will be required of them on a daily basis."
Anonymous, University of Michigan Law School, Class of 2012
"The instructors at the Law Preview program were right-on with their recommendations for test taking and studying. Putting to use their techniques helped me to keep on track and schedule throughout the year and when studying for finals. If nothing else, the Law Preview course gives you an accurate preview of what to expect during your first year in law school, which by itself is worth the cost of attending the program."
Kevin H., Chapman University School of Law, Class of 2011
"Law Preview gave me a wonderful and literal preview of the doctrines, precedents and methods to expect in law school, bolstering and reigniting my passion for Law as an institution-and further dissuaded me of any fears I may have had about the horrors of 1L. The pace was somewhat grueling, but, well worth it-a good way to prepare for the grind of law school. . . . Special thanks to Professor Martin Flaherty and Professor Alexandra Lahav for Con. Law and Civ. Pro."
Joseph S., New York Law School, Class of 2012
"Law Preview was invaluable. I was hoping to be in the top 20%. I am in the top 8%. LP gave me a road map to law school. While fellow classmates were ‘freaking out’ and overwhelmed at orientation, I felt like I had been there before. When others were struggling with the concept of briefing a case, I had all my briefs completed. Without Law Preview I would have been just another average student. Instead, I’m on the Dean’s List. Thanks Law Preview!"
Mark F., Texas A&M University School of Law (formerly Texas Wesleyan University School of Law), Class of 2011
"Thanks for your tips, advice, and class. It gave me the tremendous advantage of foresight, the knowledge of how to prepare for my first year, and the grave consequences of the alternative."
Chris W., New York Law School, Class of 2013
"Law Preview gave me a good grasp on the different fields of law studied during the first year of law school. It also introduced me to famous cases and how to brief them, which gave me a monumental step up over my colleagues. [Ranked 10 out of 160]."
Anonymous, Florida International University School of Law, Class of 2012
"My school does not rank students, so I don’t know my percentile. But I am very pleased with my grades–almost all As. I know that Law Preview was particularly helpful in getting me into the right mindset from the very beginning. I already had a framework for each course, and it made it easier for me to see the big picture from day 1. This is where I feel I excelled past my classmates–my ability to understand the material thematically. I did not spend my first weeks struggling over minute, unnecessary details, or teaching myself the components of a brief, as others did."
Anonymous, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Class of 2011
"I was often asked during the first few weeks where I’d worked in the law previously. I had literally no legal experience before BarBri Law Preview other than having read a couple of cases, not the ones we’d studied. But the Law Preview course both set me on the right footing for the year and gave me an overview of how the coursework would fit together. Finally, the practice outlining was invaluable."
Peter S., Northwestern University School of Law, 2022
"I went into law school knowing how to brief cases, knowing the language of the law and knowing the subject matter that was being presented. That was all extremely beneficial to me; however, the best thing about Law Preview is that I met my best friend and a familiar face in my law school section. He and I have helped each other through the semester, formed a study group with other students and relied on our Law Preview materials to help along the way. I was thankful for the experience and the people I met."
Beka P., SMU Dedman School of Law, Class of 2011
"Law Preview gave me the background of legal education that I didn’t learn right away at law school. It gave me a head start and made me feel confident in knowing what to expect by showing me the big picture of legal education. I probably would have felt very lost my first few weeks at school if it weren’t for my experience at Law Preview."
Katie P., University of St. Thomas School of Law, Class of 2011
"The best thing I got out of Law Preview was the practical advice. Part of being successful in any situation is strategy – learning how to maneuver within the circumstances. Law Preview was a great strategy resource. Law School is a foreign world, and knowing what to expect before you ever get there is a huge asset. Most people are totally baffled and have no idea what to do, but I felt a little more confident and had a game plan when I went in. I also really appreciated having some idea of how to approach my exams during the first semester. I got A’s in all my substantive classes, including the high grade in Contracts that was 15% above the second highest score. Thanks for everything! [Ranked #5 out of 266 after first semester]."
Anonymous, University of Houston Law Center, Class of 2013
"Law Preview certainly helped to prepare me for my 1L year not only by simulating the rigor of a law school classroom, but by providing tools and guidance throughout my first semester. With the support of LP, I was able to succeed in my first semester and receive a GPA of 3.78 which places me in the top 10% of my class! I am so grateful for this program and all the opportunities it has provided!"
Melissa F., Fordham University School of Law, Class of 2021
"In law school you don’t know what you don’t know. For many, it’s the first time you actually have to study. Law Preview gave me a jump start on my first semester by teaching me how to think like a lawyer."
Christian M., University of Connecticut School of Law, Class of 2021
"Law Preview helped give me a solid foundation for my first semester of law school. I felt prepared for not only how to take notes in class, but also how to create solid and comprehensive case briefs and outlines. Additionally, the suggested (and doable) daily/weekly schedule really helped me stay on top of my work and not feel completely overwhelmed by the course load. Overall, Law Preview helped me feel confident and in control of my first semester of law school!"
Anonymous, Suffolk University School of Law, Class of 2021
"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
"Law Preview helped me adapt to law school and have an advantage over my classmates when it came to concepts, how to study, and how to prepare for exams. It resulted in my doing very well in all of my doctrinal classes."
Sydney P., University of Georgia School of Law, Class of 2024
"Law Preview helped me feel more confident and prepared going into 1L and helped me to beat the curve in two of my courses and hit median on the curve in two others, putting me in approximately the top 30% of students after the first semester."
Lindsey C., University of Virgina School of Law, Class of 2023