Western State’s Academic Success Program
Learning the law is not a small task. It’s like trying to master a whole new language. At Western State College of Law, an ABA-approved law school in Southern California, the Academic Success Program (ASP) was developed to help guide students through this process. Under the leadership of Professor Tania Shah, Director of ASP and Associate Professor of Law, the program offers a comprehensive support system that starts from day one. “Learning law is like learning a new language,” says Professor Shah. “What we love doing is supporting students through the learning of that language.”
The ASP at Western State is more than just a support system. It is a lifeline that helps students overcome barriers, strive for academic excellence, and prepare for successful careers in law. Under the passionate leadership of Professor Tania Shah and a dedicated team of faculty, the ASP embodies the school’s unwavering commitment to student success.
In this comprehensive look at the ASP, we outline how the program prepares students for their law school journey and beyond.
A Mission Dedicated to Student Success
The ASP understands that every student is unique and strives to adapt to diverse learning styles while offering personalized feedback to each student. At the heart of its mission is the goal of empowering students to successfully navigate law school. From the very moment students are admitted, the ASP begins laying the groundwork for a path to success. “We have a supportive model here in academic support,” Professor Shah explains. “It’s truly about helping students navigate these complicated waters of essentially learning a new language.”
This support starts with a comprehensive orientation that covers essential skills like case briefing and the Socratic method. Understanding the law is about much more than memorizing legal terms. It’s about knowing how to apply the law in real-life cases. As such, the ASP focuses on developing critical thinking, analytical, and practical skills that are crucial for students throughout their academic and professional careers.
Resources and Services Offered by the Academic Success Program
Introduction to Legal Methods for First-Year Students (1L)
The Introduction to Legal Methods class is an integral part of the first-year experience in law school. The course focuses on the development of critical skills like legal analysis and writing, as well as strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions, which encompasses 50% of the bar exam. Additionally, students are paired with a Dean’s Fellow, high-performing students who serve as mentors and guides. Western State students get regular support for their midterms and finals and build strong writing skills via workshops and writing assistance provided by the ASP.
Bridging the Gap for Second-Year Students (2L)
Second-year students often feel lost and overwhelmed. To address this, the ASP offers targeted support to keep them engaged and prepared. “During the second year, we offer a variety of programs,” Professor Shah notes. Professors also integrate multiple-choice workshops into classes in order to prepare the students for the multiple-choice component of the bar exam. “We hold several MPRE [Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination] workshops. We want to introduce them to the bar exam early, so we offer bar logistics workshops,” she explains.
Intensive Bar Exam Preparation for Third-Year Students (3L)
During their final year, the ASP ramps up its efforts to ensure students are ready for the bar exam, a pivotal milestone in their legal studies. “We start them on an early bar preparation course,” Professor Shah explains. “We have a really rigorous course called Basic Bar Studies. I like to call it ‘Not So Basic Bar Studies.'”
The program targets multiple choice questions as well as essay writing, as these are what make up a large chunk of the bar exam. There is also a performance test component, for which Western State offers a dedicated class.
Western State Guides Students Who Need an Extra Hand
Life challenges and extenuating circumstances can profoundly affect the academic performance of students. Western State doesn’t leave anyone behind. Professor Shah proudly shared that the ASP has a dedicated program that is a zero-unit course with workshops, one-on-one professor assignments, and writing assistance that does not impact GPA, while aiming to get students back on track.
A new class that has been added to the curriculum, the Performance Test class, was designed to familiarize students with this critical component of the bar exam. Although it was designed for students at academic risk, Professor Shah insists it is extremely useful at any stage of law school as it is part of the bar exam. “We want to introduce them to this performance test early. I’m really excited about it,” she said.
The ASP provides a comprehensive bar exam preparation program for Western State graduates. Students receive personalized support from faculty during weekly meetings dedicated to helping them overcome the challenges of the bar exam.The ASP also offers a dedicated program for repeaters who did not pass on the first try that is supported by the entire faculty.
Adapting Teaching to Diverse Learning Styles
Understanding that students have different learning styles and backgrounds, the ASP incorporates various teaching modalities to create an inclusive environment. “We are a school of opportunity, and we recognize the need to incorporate different ways of teaching,” Professor Shah states.
Professor Shah emphasized that “switching up teaching modalities is crucial.” To this end, the ASP uses visual aids, interactive discussions, and practical exercises to cater to various learning styles. “We have a lot of offerings,” she explains. Visual learners benefit from visual aids displayed in slides during presentations, while lectures and written assignments support students who prefer to write things down. The ASP also makes audio recommendations that students can listen to during long commutes.
Neurodiversity in Academia
Professor Shah pointed out the importance of addressing neurodiversity in academia. “We’re really lucky to have Professor Kirsten Pescetti, a Western State alum who was valedictorian and has an alternate learning style,” she said, highlighting the value of having alumni who actively give back to their alma mater. Professor Pescetti has provided valuable insights into learning styles, which has helped keep the faculty in tune with their students by maintaining an open dialogue. “Inclusivity is key,” Professor Shah asserts. The program continually adapts to ensure all students can engage effectively with the material.
Success Stories with the Academic Success Program
The real measure of how effective the ASP has been lies in the impact it has had on its students. The ASP has worked with students to turn potential setbacks into stepping stones toward success. Professor Shah shares some inspiring stories that reflect the effect the personalized support offered by the ASP has had on the lives of its students.
Professor Shah shared the story of a student who was at academic risk and up for dismissal. The student faced several hardships, including working on the front lines during COVID and losing a sibling to illness. Professor Shah worked with the student directly, who ended up getting the highest grade in Evidence. The student passed the bar on the first try.
Professor Shah shared another story about a student who struggled with writing but did exceptionally well in multiple-choice exams. The student scored a 96 on Professor Shah’s final, a difficult and comprehensive exam. By identifying student strengths, the ASP helps build their confidence to overcome self-doubt, leading to overall improvement in their academic performance.
An Unwavering Commitment to Student Success
Professor Shah encourages students who are considering Western State for their legal studies to attend the school. She noted, “we have a very robust and involved academic support department here that is strongly supported by the faculty.” She highlights the unique, close-knit, family-like atmosphere the school fosters, saying, “It makes it a community for them, which you have to have in law school because it’s tough.”
The success of the ASP is a collective effort, a point strongly emphasized by Professor Shah. “There’s no way the ASP could exist without the talents and ideas of the entire school,” she said.