Office for Academic Success

The Associate Dean for Academic Success helps students identify and strengthen their academic abilities and provides assistance to students facing the challenges of a rigorous legal education. Through collaboration with administrators, faculty and students, the Office for Academic Success assists students in developing and enhancing the critical skills necessary for success in law school, on the bar exam, and in the legal profession. Dean Elkin is available to all students for personal academic counseling and study plan assessments. Students at all levels of academic performance can benefit from feedback on practice exams, study plans, time management, course selection, or study group effectiveness.

Enhanced Academic Support Program

At the conclusion of each semester, students with cumulative or semester GPA’s under or equal to 2.70 but not subject to dismissal under the current Academic Standing Rule (requiring a cumulative and semester GPA of at least 2.0 for continued good standing) will be notified by the Associate Dean for Academic Success that they are in good standing, but subject to fulfillment of the conditions of the Enhanced Academic Support Program as described below.

Students in the Enhanced Academic Support Program must:

1. As a condition to eligibility to register and schedule courses in each of the remaining semesters, obtain approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Success of their proposed course schedule.
2. Obtain prior permission of Associate Dean for Academic Success to
   1. assume a leadership position in student government/student organizations;
   2. engage in employment during the academic year; or
   3. enroll in any semester away program including Externships Everywhere and Semester in Washington.
3. In courses where faculty permit, review their exams from the previous semester and then meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Success to discuss the common feedback received on his or her work.
4. Participate in academic support programs that the Associate Dean for Academic Success deems appropriate.
5. Enroll in and satisfactorily complete BAREX 900: Fundamental Skills for the Bar Exam in Spring of the third year.

The Enhanced Academic Support Program will end if the student achieves a 2.70 cumulative GPA at the end of any semester. A student who fails to satisfy any of these conditions shall be subject to dismissal under the procedure set forth in Academic Standing Rules.

"It's a real thrill [to teach this Bar Prep course] to Penn State
Law Students. It's a great way to connect with them."

— Keith Elkin
Associate Dean for
Academic Success

Bar Exam Preparation

Dean Elkin is a nationally recognized expert in bar exam preparation.  He is the author of several books and articles on bar exam preparation and teaches Fundamental Skills for the Bar Examination each spring semester.  The summer after graduation is filled with intense studying for the bar exam and Dean Elkin meets with students every day to help them prepare for the most important exam in a lawyer’s lifetime. Dean Elkin also provides one-on-one counseling to design a bar study plan and discuss best practices for bar exam success.