Re: Northwestern California University School of Law

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Thanks.

I'm not sure how to answer your question of whether NWCU prepared me to
practice law. Here is what comes to mind. NWCU uses the same text books
that most law schools use. The textbooks get made as follows. Great
scholars from top universities devote their life to learning and
developing some one area of the law. A book is then written about this
area of the law, but not just by one of these great scholars. They usually
have 2 or 3 scholars in the same area work on a single book presumably so
that if one of the scholars is weak in some one sub-area, their weakness
can be bolstered by one of the other scholars. Then one of the major
publishers picks it up and has several other experts review it, edit it,
polish it, add references, etc. Maybe the publisher also runs it by some
focus groups to make sure it is accessible by students. Then the book is
published and begins being used at major universities. Every year,
professors at these many universities that use the book in their classes
are invited to send in comments on how to improve the book. Theoretically
the views of the students trickle up to the publishers via the professors
in this way. Based on these comments as well as continued study of old
and new law, the lawbooks are then revised every so often to further
improve them. So, considering all the checks and balances and work that
goes into these books, I think these books are in a pretty good state,
pretty reliable as far as learning the law.

Sometimes people say "You need a professor to help you figure out how to
approach the textbook, to show you what is important and expand on the
important parts." I don't understand this position. Most law professors
barely have time to prepare their lecture, barely have more education in
the subject than a law student, and typically do not excel far beyond
their peers in actual law practice. So why consider their opinions
important when you have these great textbooks meticulously prepared by top
scholars? It seems to me, if an ordinary professor thinks certain areas
of a textbook deserve a different treatment than what is given, then in
all likelihood, the doubt is resolved in favor of the textbook and against
the professor. The textbook is much more likely to be correct. So anyway,
I think skipping the live professor lectures has not harmed my education.
But, like everyone, I can't live both lives and then look back and
compare the two. So, in a way, it's impossible to say.

I certainly think there is a lot that goes into a law practice that is a
million miles away from what is covered in these textbooks. But, I don't
think a good strategy for filling that gap is to listen to some overworked
law professor who is not at the top of his field -- either in academia or
in law practice -- wax philosophical. So, in sum, I think NWCU prepared
me about as well as any school that had me review the textbooks would. I
think beyond telling someone to read the textbooks and casebooks and to
really reflect on the material, there is not much that can be done to
prepare another person for practice of law. After a certain point, you
have to prepare yourself.

On 11/13/09, Very interested wrote:
> To the Graduate: first congrats on passing the bar!
> I am curious to know if you feel that nwclu adequately prepared you for
practicing law?
> thanx
>
>> I am a graduate of NWCU and a first-time bar passer. I thought the
>> school was a good value overall compared to other options. This does
>> not mean that I was completely satisfied in all respects, just that it
>> was the lesser of the evils I needed to go through to get my license
>> and begin doing what I really want to do. My approach to studying for
>> the bar was to consider it a whole new world in itself where I had to
>> learn anew the particular answers that the bar examiners wanted, which
>> I looked at as distinct from general truths about the law. So, no I
>> did not think NWCU prepared me for the bar but then again I don't
>> think any school would -- just use BARBRI, PMBR, and other specialized
>> bar study materials for this. Good luck whatever you decide.
>>
>> On 8/31/09, Judy wrote:
>>> If you go to their website, the school's most recent newsletter is
>>> dated Spring 2002. I've been told that the school is owned by an
>>> attorney who sometimes pays attention to the school but at other
>>> times is tied up in cases.
>>>
>>> Judy
>>>
>>> On 8/31/09, Judy wrote:
>>>> I have no inside information on the school's finances. But
>>>> posts in other forums raised the questions. Losing the non-bar
>>>> had to hurt.
>>>>
>>>> Bar pass rates are available on the bar's website.
>>>>
>>>> Good luck,
>>>>
>>>> Judy
>>>>
>>>> On 8/31/09, Friend wrote:
>>>>> It was my understanding that the "non-bar" degrees were done
>>>>> away with a couple of years ago. My understanding is that
>>>>> this school is in pretty good financial shape. Do you have
>>>>> any reason to believe that it may go out of business in the
>>>>> near future? More importantly, how is the academic program?
>>>>> Is it likely to prepare me for the bar? Thanks in advance.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 8/29/09, Judy wrote:
>>>>>> It might not be a bad option IF they can stay in business
>>>>>> for four year. The bar has already made them discontinue
>>>>>> their non-bar program which was a big cash cow for them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 8/29/09, Friend wrote:
>>>>>>> Can anyone tell me about this school? I am interested in
>>>>>>> studying law by correspondence. Is this a good option?