Our Academic Achievement program is designed to help you succeed both academically and personally during your law school experience. Our support begins at orientation when all incoming first-year students are invited to attend a four-day voluntary academic success program (VASP) and continues throughout the rest of law school with tutoring services, advice, skills training, practice exams and other types of support you may need. In addition to the support of our Director Scott Swanson provides, the University also offers a host of services to help you succeed.
Finally, after graduation Mr. Swanson works closely with you to prepare for the bar exam.
Voluntary Academic Success Program
Incoming students are invited to take part in the School of Law's four-day Voluntary Academic Success Program during First Week Orientation. In just four days, Scott Swanson, Director of Academic Achievement, will lead the class through the different types of work that will be required in a law school semester. The schedule includes:
Day One
Case briefs, class preparation, and discussion of case law regarding Homicide.Day Two
Continue discussion of Homicide and Defenses.Day Three
Create outline of Homicide and Defenses. Create group answer to practice Essay Test question.Day Four
Test Preparation and Practice Test (which will be individually critiqued during the early part of the semester, before midterms, so that you can consolidate what your have learned in your first law school testing situation.)
Midterm Exam Preparation
All first year, first semester substantive classes have mid-term examinations. A number of students find that they would like assistance in preparing for first year, first semester midterm exams--in addition to the assistance they have received as a result of their first exam-taking exercise in the Voluntary Academic Success Program. We help those students learn additional organizational skills, review practice exams, and prepare effective outlines for their classes.
Midterm Exam Review
Additionally, many students find that they would like additional specific, timely, concrete feedback on the outcome of their mid-term exams—feedback beyond simply the grade. We review exams with those students, help them understand what they have done well, and areas in which they can make improvements.
Finals Preparation
The Director of Academic Achievement is available to meet with individual students (for specific tutorial assistance) and will larger groups of students who would like assistance in preparation for final exams. That involves a wide range of options, from practicing specific skills to assistance and critiques of particular outline strategies.
Upper Level Class Preparation
The Director of Academic Achievement is available (again, for both individuals and groups) to help students on an ongoing basis with more effective study habits, classroom preparation, and ongoing assistance in understanding the substantive materials in their classroom work.
Students struggling with law school
There are a few students who, for a variety of reasons, have a difficult time performing up to their own expectations in law school. We pride ourselves in providing support for those people, and will work in any way we can to make sure that law school is a productive experience.
Bar Exam Preparation
The law school currently provides a seminar-sized class that works with third year students who identify themselves as students who continue to have concerns about their academic performance, particularly as it relates to taking and passing a bar exam.
Additionally, for those who do not take this class, the school provides an informal summer program for graduates that emphasizes the skills necessary to pass the bar exam. That program is available to all students. Samples of past Bar Prep Class Sessions.
Scott Swanson
Director of Academic Achievement
651-962-4857
sgswanson@stthomas.edu
University Resources
Enhancement Program - Disability Services
University Counseling and Psychological Services
Other Resources:
Minnesota Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
Minnesota State Bar Association Life and Law Committee
American Bar Association Director of State Lawyer Assistance Programs
