From delicious Chicago-style hot dogs and deep-dish pizza to its signature architecture exemplified in the Sears Tower, there’s a lot to learn and love about the Windy City. Nevertheless, Chicago experiences more than its share of criminal issues. At 43 crimes per one thousand residents, citizens experience a one in 23 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime. With numbers like these, it’s important for Chicago to be supported by its dedicated sector of lawyers to help keep its streets as safe as possible.
Lawyers in Chicago earn an average base salary of $104,974 per year, a considerable amount no doubt. Lawyers must be justly compensated for their hard work, as they play an irreplaceable part in maintaining communal safety. Each case that lands on a lawyer’s desk must be handled delicately yet with a vigorous work ethic, since even the smallest mistake can form a chain of consequences. In addition to an unrelenting will, all lawyers must also possess an all-encompassing knowledge of the law garnered through years of hard study.
With top-notch institutions like University of Chicago Law School and Loyola University School of Law nearby, there are a number of academic paths for future lawyers to take. Before finally being certified to practice law, all future lawyers must first sit through the bar. Being the final test in a law student’s journey, it’s standard for bar candidates to dedicate months of unhindered study leading up to the exam. While it’s entirely possible to take the prep process into one’s own hands, many law graduates choose to rely on the services offered by bar tutors and prep courses.
A good prep program can help maximize a candidate’s chance of success on the big exam, though not all options offer the same quality of education. In order to invest your prep time wisely, it’s important to choose a reputable program provider, though that tends to be a task in itself given the sea of available options. To help optimize the selection process, we’ve compiled this list of the best bar tutors and prep courses in Chicago. If you have an exam date coming up, scroll down to see our top recommended options.
Online vs In-Person Bar Prep
It’s important to factor your preferred learning style when choosing a bar prep format. Online learning is generally recommended for the average graduate, though there are a few inherent benefits to the in-person format.
For example, taking an in-person bar prep course connects you with fellow future lawyers, giving you the option to form a study group leading up to exam day. Similarly, by taking an in-person tutoring program, you’ll be able to form a personal bond with your instructor throughout the prep process.
Unfortunately, in-person prep options can’t be separated from their key downsides. For one, you’ll be required to commute to the venue on a regular basis, which isn’t optimal for those balancing hectic schedules aside from schoolwork. This option also comes at a high financial cost, so only those with considerably wiggle room in their budgets will be able to consider it.
For bar candidates seeking a mix of quality education and convenience, online learning is definitely the way to go. This option allows you to plan your study sessions wherever and wherever you choose to, which frees a lot of time on your schedule. You won’t be sacrificing informational value, either, since many online programs are led by some of the most reputable names in the legal prep industry. While you’ll be studying independently, you’ll also receive valuable guidance and prompt answers to all your queries via the support networks included in the modern online course. Finally, this option is priced with the average law graduate’s budget in mind, so there’s no barrier to entry.
| Pros of an Online Course | Pros of an In-Person Course |
| Total freedom to schedule your bar prep at your own pace | Instructors provide on-hand guidance to help keep you on the right path |
| Test materials and other valuable resources are available at any time | Opportunity to meet and interact with fellow law graduates |
| Much less expensive than in-person courses | Classroom environment conducive to learning |
| Personalized study plan to help you tackle problem areas |
The Best Bar Exam Tutors in Chicago
1. BarMax Tutors
BarMax offers graduates a comprehensive bar exam review course with the highest overall pass rates. Tutoring sessions are available via video conferencing or over the phone, and instructors will plan the course based on your schedule. While it’s always best to work with the same tutor throughout the bar prep process, you’ll always have the option to change tutors along the way. Given their dedication to student support, the quality of education in their courses and their highly affordable package prices, BARMax Tutors represent the overall best pick for bar candidates.
Cost: Variable (from $133/hr)
Location: Online only (video or phone conference)
Financing: Yes (via Affirm)
Qualifications: All tutors have passed the bar
BARBRI
BARBRI’s bar review tutors work with graduates one-on-one to improve key bar components such as essay writing, multistate and performance test techniques and knowledge of the substantive law. The program includes an abundance of review practice questions, ensuring a key sense of familiarity for the big exam. Should your determination ever falter during the prep process, your tutor will help keep you motivated and focused on crushing the bar. While this option isn’t quite up to par with the top spot on our list, it’s definitely a worthy alternative.
Cost: Depends on hours ($225/hour cheapest package)
Location: Online or in-person (if available)
Financing: Yes (via affirm)
Qualifications: All tutors have passed the bar
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors is another great option for Chicago bar candidates looking to crush the exam. By working with one of the many experienced tutors in their Chicago network, you’ll be able to hone your critical thinking and analysis skills as well as your knowledge on substantive concepts and strategies pertaining to the bar. For more information regarding individual qualifications, pricing and packages, browse through your options on Varsity Tutors’ Chicago bar prep page.
Cost: Contact for Pricing
Location: Chicago
Financing: No
Qualifications: All tutors have passed the bar
Kenneth J. Leff, Esq.
Bar Tutor is headed by Kenneth J. Leff, Esq., a highly qualified instructor with 25 years of involvement in the bar exam. Ken offers law graduates his services as a teacher, study partner, motivator and guide that will lead you toward a successful bar performance. This program is particularly notable for its solutions regarding time management, an area that often plagues the average bar candidate. Visit Ken’s webpage for more information on his personalized bar prep programs.
Cost: Contact for Pricing
Location: Online via Skype
Financing: No
Qualifications: 25 years of involvement with the bar exam