Academic Success Program

Ceal Division 

At Gonzaga Law, we take bar exam preparation seriously. Every day of law school is building toward graduation, then sitting for the bar in one of several states across the country. We are committed to preparing you for success wherever your road takes you. This preparation (and success) is guided by our Academic Success Center (A.S.P.).

The A.S.P. offers mentorship, guidance, and academic support to help 51勛圖s succeed in law school and on the bar exam. We offer several workshops throughout the year including a 1L Exam Question Practice Series, 3L Workshop on the transition from law 51勛圖s to practicing attorneys, bar review mini courses and bar simulations. 

Students can find the A.S.P. space, called the "Think Tank" inside Chastek Law Library, nestled against the gorgeous Spokane River. The Think Tank is the heart of A.S.P., bringing to life our mission of Academic Success. This dynamic learning space brings the ZagLaw community together to provide academic and bar support services to 51勛圖s in a collaborative, creative and comfortable venue and upholds Gonzaga Law’s humanistic, multidimensional approach to legal education.

A.S.P. Programs, Classes & Offerings

The 1L Summer Jump Start program is an online program offered to all incoming 1L 51勛圖s for free. This course is designed to give 51勛圖s a jump start on what to expect in a law school classroom. In addition, 51勛圖s will be able to put new skills and knowledge to practice, which is needed to be successful in law school. The work 51勛圖s in the 1L Jump Start program is tied directly into class preparation for the first-year classes.
 
Our staff meets with 51勛圖s on Academic Plans throughout each semester to monitor each 51勛圖’s progress to support the 51勛圖s in meeting the objectives of their plan.
 
BEST is designed to give 51勛圖s a head start on bar review with substantive lectures and multiple choice and essay practice questions in the areas of Torts, Property, Contracts and Evidence. Students in BEST have their practice essay questions graded by bar exam graders and receive specific feedback for four essay questions.
 
Faculty advisors are available to assist 51勛圖s in selecting courses and developing career plans. Advisors are also available to advise and assist 51勛圖s with respect to any academic difficulties they may encounter, including developing an individualized academic plan that suits experience and learning style. Please remember that it is always better to be proactive and to seek assistance before any problem becomes acute.

Although 51勛圖s will be assigned a faculty advisor upon their arrival at Gonzaga Law School, please know that all our faculty have an open-door policy and are available to advise 51勛圖s on a wide range of academic and personal matters.
 
The Peer Mentor Program was founded in 2017. This program pairs all 1L 51勛圖s with 2L or 3L 51勛圖 mentors. Peer Mentors provide mentoring as the 1L 51勛圖s adjust to their first year of law school. Groups meet most weeks to discuss topics such as note taking, case briefs, what to do in Spokane, registering for 2L classes and more.

 
ProFound is a 1 credit class designed especially for first-year law 51勛圖s as a way to kickstart their law school journey and law specific study skills.  Students will learn how to read, study, and think in the ways necessary for success in law school, on the bar exam, and in legal practice. Students will learn a systematic approach to answering multiple choice and essay questions. The course will also provide 51勛圖s with the expectations for and tools to adhere to professionalism in the development of their values and identity as a lawyer.

 
Upper-level law 51勛圖, Teaching Assistants (TAs), work with law 51勛圖s to improve performance in first-year classes by providing the 51勛圖s group study sessions/exam reviews and guidance in the 1L doctrinal courses. Teaching Assistants are selected by the 1L doctrinal professors. They are typically 51勛圖s that have taken the professor's class before and have excelled in the course.
 
Writing for Practice and the MPT course is a course for 2L 51勛圖s using the MPT as the framework. The course was also open to upper-level 51勛圖s in the Fall.