rates are similarly inconsistent . Minnesota ’ s pass rates are much more consistent , with total takers ( 69-78 %), first time takers ( 78-87 %), and repeat takers ( 36-46 %) all within a 10 % range . Idaho ’ s results are consistently within an 8 % range . Montana ’ s total and first-time rates follow a similar pattern , but their repeat takers ’ pass rates show greater fluctuation ( 38 % -87 %). Each of these states have much lower repeat examinee pass rates than first time taker pass rates .
What accounts for the inconsistency ? Are we admitting students we should not admit ? Examining Chart 3 , it does not appear our admissions policies are contributing to bar exam inconsistency . For the last six graduating classes , our academic attrition averages only 3.59 % or 17 students out of 474 . What other factors might explain the inconsistency ? While beyond our current data , it is possible many students are working while studying for the bar exam . It is also not known how many of our students take a bar prep course . We need to gather this important data .
When new bar results are published , it is understandable for anyone to question widely fluctuating results and a 65 % average overall pass rates . I am proud of our 78 % first time bar pass rate and our performance versus non- UND graduates . We are not satisfied with these results , and we will continually work to improve both our consistency and our overall bar pass rate .
We are making changes . First , we enhanced our academic support resources – adding Nick Roller in our first full-time Bar Passage and Academic Success position and Melanie Schinder in our first full-time academic advising position . Until now Kirsten Dauphinais , Trish Hodny , and Ariana Meyers did a terrific job overseeing these functions , despite each having significant additional responsibilities . Thanks to Blake Klinkner ’ s leadership and a $ 25,000 AccessLex grant , we are also experimenting with five different bar intervention improvement projects .
Every student that fails the North Dakota bar exam is a lost opportunity , and our strategy starts with our admissions efforts and continues through job placement . We are committed to recruiting students from North Dakota and encouraging graduates to remain in North Dakota . In 2023 , only 86 people took the LSAT in North Dakota . Of that group , 54 were admitted to UND , 39 enrolled , three deferred to 2024 , and 12 withdrew after admission to attend another school . We must dramatically increase the number of LSAT takers in North Dakota to increase the numbers of applicants from North Dakota .
We are increasing our recruiting efforts by expanding our outreach to every county , college , and university in North Dakota and Minnesota . We must strengthen our relationships with tribal colleges and high schools to enhance our long-term recruitment prospects . We recently hired Megan Schiltz to serve as our primary , full-time admissions recruiter , enabling our director of admissions , Maggie Melvin , to focus on fostering connections with other external constituencies and on increasing visits to the school of law .
We will continue to encourage students to remain in North Dakota after graduation by recruiting more North Dakota students , by increasing the number of successful firsttime bar examinees , and by emphasizing the abundant job opportunities in North Dakota . We recently hired a new director of career development , Mary Feller , who is reinvigorating our career services office .
We believe these additional resources and enhanced outreach efforts will allow us to recruit more applicants to UND Law , better prepare students for academic and professional success , and retain graduates to meet North Dakota ’ s legal needs . While we outperform other schools on the North Dakota bar exam , it is essential we raise the bar and become more consistent . We are excited to participate with SBAND and the courts on a judicial task force to meaningfully address our state ’ s lawyer shortage , and I am always interested in hearing your thoughts . Please do not hesitate to contact me at brian . pappas @ und . edu .
1 . Law School Rankings by Ultimate Bar Passage Rate ( 2020 ), https :// taxprof . typepad . com / taxprof _ blog / 2023 / 03 / law-school-rankings-by-ultimate-bar-passage-rate-2020 . html
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