Power of One Campaign
One Bar. One Time. One Community.
You have the power to pass the bar exam on your first attempt—and receive $600.
At Detroit Mercy Law, we believe that success on the bar exam is no accident; it is result of doing the necessary work. Detroit Mercy Law is committed to providing students with data driven advice and the highest levels of support throughout the bar study process. It is our hope that students will show the same commitment to their success by completing the Power of One program.
One Bar
The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is new to Michigan—and it’s a good thing.
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Portability
Take your passing score to any other jurisdiction—and be admitted without having to pass another bar exam (so long as you fulfill the state's other requirements, like character and fitness).
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Marketability
Increase your value and reach by being admitted to neighboring states or other jurisdictions that relate to your specialty.
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Capability
Detroit Mercy's curriculum is uniquely suited to prepare you for the UBE. Clinical experiences prepare you for the practical performance exam, doctrinal courses prepare you for the substantive sections, and the Bar Exam Strategies course covers the skills you need to pass.
One Time
It’s critical to pass on the first try to unlock opportunities you’ve been working hard to accomplish.
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Employment
Passing on your first attempt means getting that all-important license right away—and it puts you in the best position to secure legal employment. Plus, you get to add Esquire to your title (if you're into that sort of thing).
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Investment
It's expensive to fail the bar—and not just the time and money to take it again. It delays employment. Pass the first time and put those resources toward your new goals. Plus, get $600 for completing the reimbursement program.
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Empowerment
Doesn't it feel great to take control of your future? Success on the bar is no accident, it's the result of doing the work. And the formula isn't a secret: Bar Exam Strategies + 85% completion of your bar review program + 1,200 Adaptibar questions.
One Community
It’s critical to pass on the first try to unlock opportunities you’ve been working hard to accomplish.
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Faculty Support
From orientation to years of class instruction, the Detroit Mercy Law faculty have been here for you, so it only makes sense that they would mentor you through the bar exam.
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Reimbursement Program
Increase your chances to pass the bar and get paid? Yes, please!
Review each of the key benchmarks below. Within each benchmark section, completion details are provided. To register for this program, please fill out the Power of One Registration Form.
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About the Benchmarks
Based on preliminary data from the first July administration of the Uniform Bar Exam in Michigan, the law school is adjusting benchmarks for the Power of One program to provide students with guidance for best practices for pass the examination on the first attempt. These adjustments are intended to respond to differences between the UBE and previous exam benchmarks for the Michigan examination.
Moving forward, the Power of One benchmarks will reflect a greater emphasis on improving candidate scores on the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). To start, students are strongly encouraged to choose bar exam vendors that emphasize and have documented success with MBE programming--such as Barbri or Kaplan. This should include a high number of required assignments with opportunities to reflect on and learn from mistakes. There will also be additional elements to the Adaptibar benchmarks, including assigned closed book question sets and reflection components for each set.
These changes also reflect an emphasis on developing critical skills of self-directed learning and reflection. A candidate’s skill at reflecting on and learning from mistakes is often a significant indicator of a candidate’s likelihood of passing the bar exam on the first attempt.
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Complete Bar Exam Strategies Course
Enroll in the Bar Exam Strategies course (LAW 3214) in the term before you are going to sit for the exam. You must pass the course with at least a 2.2 to remain eligible for the reimbursement. This course will begin you bar preparation and allow you to complete a percentage of your summer bar review course.
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Complete 85% of an approved commercial bar prep course
Candidates must complete at least 85% of their summer bar review course including all graded essays, multiple choice question sets, the simulated MBE, and simulated exam as assigned by their vendor.
Barbri, Kaplan, Themis, and Helix are approved programs for all students; JD Advising is approved for students with a cumulative law school GPA (entering the last semester of law school) of 3.3 or higher.
Candidate progress will be monitored by Detroit Mercy Law faculty mentors and the Academic Success and Bar Preparation Department. Candidates will not need to submit any proof of their progress.
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Complete 1,200 AdaptiBar questions
Adaptibar is a third-party program designed to increase MBE accuracy. It will be provided to the graduating class at the start of student's last term, free of charge. It will also be used in the Bar Exam Strategies course. During a candidate's summer study, completion of 1,200 Adaptibar questions, with at least a 55% accuracy rate, will be required to remain eligible for the reimbursement. These will be in addition to those assigned in the bar review course.
Mixed question sets will be assigned for the first 6 weeks of the study period through the Adaptibar program. Each question set must be completed by the published due date. A reflection chart (chart and instructions provided) must also be submitted on Blackboard for each question set. Questions must be taken in exam mode and should be taken closed book.
Candidate progress will be monitored by Detroit Mercy Law faculty mentors and the Academic Success and Bar Preparation Department. Candidates will not need to submit any proof of their progress.
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Participate in faculty mentoring program
Each candidate will be paired with a faculty mentor for the duration of their summer study period. Faculty members will set up check-ins with candidates to reinforce success goals and provide general support. Candidates must meet at least five (5) times with their mentor to remain eligible for the reimbursement.
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Pass the bar exam on the first attempt
Being a participant in this program will help you pass the bar on the first attempt and get your $600.
Questions?
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Contact Director Garrison
