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when I first enrolled at concord law, I was told I would receive help from the dean or profession and adviser, my first day of school, I was told I would need to find help from students, I tried to form study group with other students but our time wouldn't match, If I thought I had to rely on the students for help I wouldn't have enrolled at Concord Law, I was told to email the teacher, adviser or dean if I didn't understand my subjects or writing, when I would request for help from the staffs, I would received a respond as if they were addressing everyone and I wouldn't get my problems answer. Now I didn't pass my final the school have asked me to leave, there is no help, I took out a student loan these people do care, all they care about was getting there money, now I'm left with a large sum of money to pay back. the school didn't try to help, there just say, we have the money and there is nothing you can do about it, there must be something I can do to get my loan paid for
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
In response to your post, I must first say that I am Concord student-started September 2010. However, you merely asserted that Concord failed you, but I find contrary. Here, you argue that you were told that you would receive help from the dean, professors and advisers. Secondly, you state that you attempted a study group, but had problems setting a time. Thirdly you assert that “if I had to rely on students for help, you would not have enrolled at Concord”. Adding that you were told via email that if you did not understand the course material assistance would be given etc. And now you are presented with hardship because of your inability to pass the final.
Here, the problem is not Concords inability to properly educate you, or provide the resources, feedback, or assistance as you so needed. But, more so based on your inability to put forth the required effort to learn, comprehend and advance through each module. The courses require one to engage the material whereupon it does not seem like you did your part. Concord as a whole works with students to ensure that they succeed. Here, however, you blame Concord for your lack of study, effort, and desire to overcome the complexities of this form of study. Law School despite its delivery method is demanding, and requires one to devote themselves to it.
Not passing the final is not the fault of Concord! It is your fault for not putting the effort required. Throughout the term extensive time is spent emphasizing the importance of spotting the issue, writing and knowing the law. You had ample to overcome any complexities, hardship or like that you were experiencing. There are endless resources to assist with learning the concept. Moreover, doing practice exams and rewriting each exam has proven beneficial, which I surmise you did not do or if done not enough times.
Therefore, I strongly disagree that Concord failed you, whereas it appears like you failed Concord. Perhaps before term end you should have changed your approach, thus actually engaging, and studying the material compared to relying upon others to do it for you. So no one is to blame for your failure, but yourself. Again it seems like minimal effort was put forth.
David
P.S. Your assertion that Concord is only worried about getting their money is also absurd. At all educational institutions one must pay tuition. However, payment of tuition never implies that a student shall pass, as the student must earn the grade, by doing the required work necessary for their success!
From the sound of your post you were never law school material...don't blame everyone else. If you fail in life, look in the mirror. I am a student at Concord Law School, it is a great school and I don't like hearing people put my school down because they lacked what it took to complete the program. This school has assisted me in achieving a life long goal and I appreciate that very much. This program is stringent and takes up a lot of time, but anything worth having is time consuming (and hard!). So if it is your true desire to become an attorney get YOURSELF together and make the necessary changes, get back in school, and graduate!
P.S. Good advice doesn't itch the ears of the hearer, but it's sound. God bless you!
Really? After reading this I am convinced that you two previous post work at the school and are obviously not fellow law students.
I am now a current Concord law student, (starting in September) and although I came from a traditional school, I believe I may have made the wrong turn coming to Concord. That’s why I am curious about others perspective on the schools.
I say this because I am accustomed to being able to talk with an adviser that remembers my name. I am also use to being able to speak directly with financial aid, not to a call center that gave me horribly wrong information that could have harmed my financial status if I wasn't persistent in getting answers. Unfortunately, these things make a huge difference in MY education (my investment) and I feel they should be just as important to the institution that is providing it.
I think you two previous posts IF you are law school students, really need to evaluate your attitude and your outlook on your fellow student. Being in law and law enforcement, I would say an attorney is someone who without his/her own prejudice, can stand up not just for the constitution; but more importantly, for what is morally and ethically right. You putting someone down and saying that “suck at life” for speaking their opinion and about their experience doesn't demonstrate attorney qualities, considering you will be hired by this “loser” or ones like him in your future career field.
I also have a question, if you are a student, why are you looking online for these comments? I am sure you have better things to do; unless your job is the school in question here, and you’re just looking to defend it? Sounds like both post maybe coming from the same place, the school itself. Here is food for thought, “We need to become the change we want to see.” Are you both doing that?
D
I am assuming that you were in the first year of studies. At any rate, I am not trying to be disrespectful; however, judging from your writing alone, I feel that the problem is within yourself and not the school. In addition, Law school is not for everyone, especially if you are attempting to do it online / INDEPENDENT STUDY. IF you failed the final exam at Concord I can confidently say that you are not ready for any law school. Finally, how do you expect the school to help you with paying back your loan?
The original poster and Dwoody's comment's are absurd. The previous posters weren't hired by the school and are or were successful student's like myself who are enrolled and about the graduate and sit for the California Bar. Law school takes commitment whether its online or at a brick and mortar school. Sadly, the original poster in just reading the post didn't doesn't have what it takes to complete any law school program.
I am enrolling at Concord as we speak. I am curious about the experiences of current law students.
I have to agree with the majority of fellow concord law students. The program is quite effective if you dedicate the time, effort, dedication, along with realistic expectations about your ability to successfully earn a law degree, not just online, but period. Your story has too many holes, as you did not care to give detail regarding your study routine, and habits. I recently graduated Concord with very good grades; however, I had to put in the time, application, and dedication to make that happen. I remember that during my first year, I would start my studies at 5:00 AM, take an hour lunch break, resume back to my studies, and finish at 8:00 Pm six days a week. Additionally, during my second and third year, I had to study from 2:00 AM to 7:00 AM six days a week. Failure was NOT an option for me; Especially realizing that irrespective of whether I fail or pass law school, I would be liable to pay my student loans.
Maybe you did not "count the costs" before embarking in this law school experience. Now as a result of your failure to properly put things in perspective and apply yourself to the challenge, you failed, and subsequently, come online to blame Concord. Your conduct is an indicator of how you have navigated through life when things do not go your way. Very immature of you. Take responsibility for your shortcomings and see a way out of your self-manufactured circumstances.
I am interested in becoming a Concord Law student.
I did the research prior to enrollment and entered the Concord program because it was (and remains) the best fit for my lifestyle. On the few occaisions I have had to call for help in the administrative or financial arena, I always found those on the other end of the phone to be quite helpful. I am fully satisfied with the quality of instruction provided by Concord and believe their web-based instructional platform to be first-rate. I know several students at traditional brick-and-mortar institutions and believe I have a better grasp of black-letter law than they do because Concord hammers on the basics. Managing one's own time to balance all the requirements of earning a living, family, and school...that is, living life...is a task a great number of people have difficulty with. I encourage you to investigate time management techniques and seek the advise of an English tutor, in addition to knuckling down and mastering the material. You are the only person on the planet that can make you a success.
Greetings. I am a student in another distance learning law program. It is hard and one makes out of it what one can. A great deal of independent effort benefits us. I was in a very small cohort. There were never ore than perhaps 12 of us and 6 remained as we approached the end of 1L. I formed a study group first by finding out who was interested and then working like the dickens to make schedules match. It was difficult and we didn't do as much together as I'd hoped but we did what we could. I passed the FYLSX in October and am anticipating a September 2017 graduation and February 2018 bar exam and hoping I last that long. If I do not it will not be the schools fault. To any looking at Concord or other schools consider that the FYLSX (required by California Bar to receive credit past first year) has an overall pass rate in the 20s. Getting ready for the exam was a big challenge and required my almost full-time attention for the six weeks prior. Your mileage may vary but it is at least a 20 hour per week commitment. Good luck! Jim
One more thought. I do wonder if these programs and students could do a better job of screening each other for suitability. But, I'm not sure that a school is going to be able to truly measure a prospective student's motivation. And, I'm not sure that every prospective student can possibly comprehend what that first year is going to involve. I knew I was making a significant commitment, but I know I didn't grasp the full reality.
I am a current 4th year Concord Student. It takes effort- don't kid yourself. Getting a law degree through Concord will take 20-30 hours of your time per week, and that's only after you structure your study habits. Don't plan on much free time unless you are doing this and this alone.
The point about the FYLSE is true- with pass rates in the 20% range, not everyone makes it. The CA bar pass rates are not high, either. My point is that law school is different than traditional college where you get rewarded for effort. You'll need to think differently to survive. No conjecture, implication or generalization here. You must work with facts and directly link them to your output/work product. Would you want an attorney that didn't? Sure, there are multiple choice questions that are very tricky and fact based. Life is tricky, isn't it?
My professors have always answered me. In the first year you generally have one professor for your core subjects, and they get to know you VERY WELL if you attend the live lectures, engage regularly, and reach out. The bottom line is this is a two way street- you have to give A LOT. You are supported with a 'pace' that helps you keep up, your advisor (Dean of Students) will reach out and help you address issues, there is a resource center with extra materials (practice questions, practice essays) AND the student bar organization is AMAZING.
I am not paid by Concord, and I don't even live in California. I would totally undertake this program again.
I was a 4.0 student when I enrolled in Concord in June 2012. Before I began, someone told me something that prepared me to a point, but still was not quite enough. Everyone will tell you law school is "harrrrd!" What they may not quantify for you is why.
Look at it like this: In a regular college, you are given a box. It is clearly marked, "tent." All the parts of the tent are there, and so are the instructions. It is very much a "learn the steps and follow them" experience. In law school, they give you a bunch of parts. All the parts are there, but may be disguised. There is no box. There is nothing to indicate what the parts are to build. There are no instructions. They tell you to put it together. In is a "learn the facts and apply them to the goal using inductive and deductive reasoning" experience.
I failed 2L due to a combination of factors. It was not a lack of working hard; I was doing 2L and studying for the FYLSE. With my job at that time, it was just too much, and I got a "D" in one of my classes. Yet, I am reentering Concord to retake that class and continue my JD. I found my advisor and my professors quite willing to help me if I was having trouble, as long as I reached out to them.
The bottom line is, if you are not good at or willing to learn the skill of analysis, and especially if you do not like to read, law school may not be for you.
I am I first year student and getting an answer from anyone can take weeks if you get an answer at all. Don't let them push you around they know there are problems and they don't take care of them. just today I talked the admin about a problem with the eBooks and they advised me that every thing was changing with Westlaw and sent me instruction that don't work to fix it. I called back and the women that fixes this had already left for the 3:20 pm. You would think that if they know something that is effecting the whole school that would fix it before leaving
I am
I failed my first year, but yet managed to get decent grades all year and missed passing the first year by a few points and I also provided documentation that i was ill while taking the exam. I attended all live classes, participated etc and believe me this school is "online" for a reason ;) but hey it worked for me b/c i was a single mom trying my hardest to reach the goal. Sadly, by a few percentage points i failed the entire year, go figure in most places they let you re-take the one course in year 2. hmmmmm
As per the people who are commenting how great the school is YAY AND NAY. Yay to the fact that it is a difficult program and you must do hard work to get through and its convenient. NAY To the positive aspects of being in a brick and mortar school were they do let you in 2L repeat one course if you didn't do so well in it.
Hey there are consequences to everything right.
Please read this if you are thinking about attending Concord Law.
I have toyed with the idea of going to law school for a few years. I have taken the LSAT, albeit without much preparation and scored 153. My undergraduate gpa was 3.4 with a gpa of 4.0 in my major classes. Long story short I had options besides Concord but the extremely low cost of tuition coupled with their marketing made me think it might be a viable option to earn my JD.
First off what is good about Concord:
Books- they use the same curriculum as many ABA accredited law schools.
Lectures- in each module there are one or two recorded lectures by practicing attorneys. (this will likely be your only experience with a successful practicing attorney at Concord)
Unfortunately that is all I have to say positive about the school.
Negatives
Not ABA accredited- this is something that I went in knowing but underestimated the implications of. Without ABA accreditation a graduate's options are extremely limited. Get licensed and practice in CA as no states offer reciprocity, work in an extremely limited capacity in a federal setting or work in the backroom at a law office doing research. Don't take my word for this, search for graduates of non ABA accredited law schools (especially Concord) and see how many have been admitted to the bar's of other states.
4 Year JD- Though billed as a part time program, the amount of reading and note taking required is about 30 hours a week. That extra year or two not only represent additional tuition but lost opportunity as you will have no time to work or spend doing anything outside of reading or briefing.
FYLSE- Because the school is not ABA accredited all students must take and pass the First Year Law Student Exam after their first year of school. The cost of the test is $740.00 (as of 2015) and Concord students pass this exam at about a rate of 1 in 3 for first time test takers. Of course you can take it again (at $740.00 a go) but you will not get credit for any of the law school you attend past the first year until you pass it.
No practicing attorneys- This is something that was completely misrepresented on their website at the time I applied, they have since updated their website however it can still be a bit misleading. When you go to their faculty page you will see the names and faces of some attorneys, many of whom have successful practices. These attorneys prepare lectures for Concord which you watch as part of the modules they are not Concord faculty.
Live classes- After attending the first four live classes (who are all taught by one professor) I began noticing a trend. The class time was dominated by the same students each week, asking the same irrelevant questions and who needed the most basic parts of the reading explained to them. The instructor seemed content to spend the majority of the time telling these students how to take notes, and letting them guess at the substantive parts of a case. In other words their was no real instruction in terms of Law.
Bar passage rates- Compared with similar schools concord's bar passage rate is better but still far below most ABA accredited schools at 39% passage for first time takers in January 2015 .
(worth noting: 1 in 5 Concord students pass the FYLSE and approximately 2 in 5 of those students who go on to complete the four years and take the bar pass it.
I urge you not to take my word for it but do your own research... Save your money and take a trip, start a business, buy the law books and study on your own, get a job flipping burgers all of which are a better use of your time.
Thank you. Where do you suggest one go to do research as you suggest?
B951 - Concord is fine - you sound like a student that is not disclosing that he/she failed out. There are MANY successful Concord graduates and it is a good program. Are you flipping burgers yet?
Well, I am in the stage of contemplation about Concord Law School. As I read these postings I can see why some people failed. They cannot put a sentence together let alone a legal brief. Others sound pretentious. Neither group is acceptable. Any graduate school program will require 25-30 hours per week if you want to get your money's worth. It is important to know if the classes are formulaic and irrelevant. Why pay for that? How many people graduate from CLS and actually practice law? Hey, I would move to California to do that. Why not? It's not Iowa or Tennessee. Thanks for your thoughts.
Concord fails it's students- literally! Just to boost their FYLSE! In my class only 4-5 qualified for the FYLSE because the majority of everyone else (aka average students) surprisingly received one C- to disqualify them from the FYLSE. Concord is a JOKE, one instructor that does not even practice in CA teaching all your first year classes and she can't answer any of your questions, drinks, eats, texts, and laughs at herself in the live classes providing absolutely no benefit for students. SUCH a waste of $10k and more importantly your year of time invested. I would tell everyone to AVOID this school and look elsewhere, there are a few other options that are much MUCH better than this!
I would like to report Concord law school is the most unprofessional school. I pass the entrance exam and never heard back from them. I assume I was starting school in August 2020. They never communicate with me about the committee decisions on declined my application to the school. The academic advisor stated it has something to do with my personal statement all I know. I don't think anyone should go to this school because no one communicate with you. Thank