Concord Law School Reviews

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Worst financial aid Dept

JD Program
Reviewer: (Degree In Progress) on October 2, 2011

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Not only is the program non-supportive, the financial aid Dept is the worst I've ever seen. From the very beginning I learned that the reviews were true. That's when I decided to try other options. My first thought on reading the reviews before starting was that it could not be that bad. But then to my surprise what I was reading was true. The teachers graded with low scores from TAs without much appropriate feedback. They took weeks to answer. 

Due to the rigor and time needed I decided to take time from work and use the financial aid stipend to supplement my income. Big mistake. Financial aid is horrible. They didn't send it automatically so I had to wait 30 days before they would manually send it. Then they forgot to put a stamp on it so I had to wait another 30 days before they would resend it with a stamp. So I waited over 60 days for my stipend. No one cared or even tried to assist me with finding out what happened during this time. After I left the school and went to another one, it took them 45 days to update my financial records so I could start my new school. Something that could be done within an hour.

Best Value in Legal Education

JD Program
Reviewer: timothybogue (Degree In Progress) on June 7, 2011

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I am currently a 3rd year student and this is the best investment I have made. It is not for everyone as the course is very challenging and a large number of people don't make it past the second year. You need to take the program as if it were a full time job and accept the idea of not getting great grades, but persistance will pay off. It is not an easy program by any means, but the top quality instructors and low cost of this legal education make it a very good value. On top of it all, you will be able to sit for the California Bar Exam after completing the JD, as California doesn't have a residency requirement. If you are willing to work hard, and finish what you started, this program will be extremely valuable given your opportunities upon completion.

I would do it again

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on April 28, 2011

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I expected Law School to be hard.  It is.  I expected it to be expensive.  It is, but Concord is less expensive than most brick-and-mortar (b&m) schools.

The required books are the same than at many b&m law schools.  The taped lectures are by some very well-known law professors and experts in their respective fields.  The faculty students interact with at the live chats are very knowledgeable and approachable.  Usually the faculty will respond to student's queries within a couple of days.  Once when a Prof took a week in responding he apologized and said he had delayed responding because he was doing research in order to make sure he got the right answer for me.  And his reply was thorough.

Concord Law School prepares students very well for the First Year Law Students Exam.  The School supplies multiple choice questions and essay questions and provides feedback on how well we do.

Students get to interact on line, form study groups, communicate by email (yahoo groups, for instance, facebook as well) and establish an academic community.  

Downside?  No face-to-face interaction.  Skype helps, but it is just not the same.  I miss that, although I have managed to meet some of my classmates in person.
We are restricted from discussing our exam questions in the aftermath of them.  This is an Honor Code restriction, The reasoning goes that because students start at different times in the year and advance at different speeds, we never know who has taken an exam and who has not.  Anyway, that is the way it is.  
Some of the taped lectures' sound quality is not the best.
Not every lecture is updated as frequently as the law changes.
I have seen some complaints related to financial aid...I cannot comment on this as I have not had any problems on that score, but I am aware that some classmates have.

In conclusion, my time at Concord has been most satisfactory.  I am pleased with the quality of the teaching and I am constantly amazed at the talent and variety of experience of classmates--biologists, engineers, medical doctors, business entrepreneurs, computer programers, realtors, artists, writers, nurses, paralegals, anthropologists--and so many more.

Bewared of the Lies

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on December 31, 2010

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This school is all about the money and does not care if they ruin your life. I had to make a decision to continue the last three months of 1L or withdraw for personal health reasons and family health concerns. I spoke with financial aid to ascertain I had passed the magical date for returning of student loans if I withdrew. They stated that I would owe them nothing, and that they would not have to return any of the student loan. I informed them that if they had to, I would continue, even though it would be a hardship. They knew I detrimentally relied on the information they provided. Relieved, I withdrew to help care for my family after a member's medically-induced coma and near-death experiences. The nightmare begins, because they returned $3K of the student loan and demand money. I am paying my student loan and can not pay them as well. I can not return to school because I owe them money....the money they claimed I would not owe. Northwest California is the better way to go...more one on one interaction with the professors....quick replies to email...and at two-thirds the price. Don't let them lie to you. Get anything they say in writing. They will ruin your life...and they don't care.

Concord Law Review

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: gina.johnson (Graduate) on September 27, 2010

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Concord is one of the most expensive online schools, yet you get nothing for what you pay. Faculties are not good at all. Grading is not good, or fair. My essay was graded each time by a different TA, and confusing comments are received. Always same grades, even if you address all issues, and they comment that you have addressed all the issues.
The Faculty is horrible. They get few students of their own circle, interact with them and get them good grades at the end. I received Criminal Law A, Tort B and contract C in my Final, my grade was B, C, C- when it was posted. Faculty, sometimes are expensive , stuck up attorneys, who make you feel stupid, and put you down, any time you ask or email a question. Financial Aid, make you cry and scream. Mistakes, after mistakes, lies after lies. You don't receive any support at this school. I am trying to pass FYLSE by the help of Flemings materials, and I think, I will be successful. Meanwhile, what do we get? The stuck up detached school, posts there that or, only GPA:over 3 would pass FYLSE.... It is a huge mistake to start with them. I had a great GPA(over 3.5) when I applied to them, I worked very hard, I receive stuck up Professors, confused, scattered TAs, and very unorganized Financial Aid, taking over 10,000 USD every year, holing your book and educational assistance up at school and mislead you that you would receive the money anyday. Overall, a system of dictatorship, hypocrisy, control and stuck up , phoney instructors, all playing a game they care about the students, they never do. They even control the Web sides and post numerous dependent websites and filter students comments. They posted the GPA in correlation to passing FYLSE to show that it is students fault if they don't pass, hey look good students pass, some one need to ask what happened to 7 years after that Data? why aren't you posting that? They are so phoney, they are so Hippocratic, they are rip off, and never think of student, just phoney to take your money... Students...! don't go there, if you care .... ask few people before you do....

Excellent Education

JD Program
Reviewer: Anonymous (Graduate) on September 23, 2010

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I received an excellent education.  The education completed at Concord Law School is not for everyone, though.  It requires dedication, time for studies, self-initiated learning, and a technologically capable student.  Overall, the baby bar will weed out those who do not take the education seriously.  The first year is tough because you learn to think and write like a lawyer.  The three years thereafter simply require discipline to complete the degree in a unique environment of distance-learning combined with professor support.  If you are part of the 2% of Americans that finish what they start, this is an excellent choice of a law school if distance or cost is an issue at a traditional law school.  Best of luck in the decision-making.

Great Start So Far

JD Program
Reviewer: jmorales (Degree In Progress) on May 2, 2010

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I have really enjoyed the start of my Concord Law School (CLS) experience, which begins with their pre-law school 6-week Fundamentals Course.

I feel the most valuable lesson learned from the course is what to possibly expect when I start in June. I feel it has helped me understand the online educational process CLS uses to teach, how to get around the school, and what to expect from a commitment standpoint.

I finished the program in a little more than three weeks and now am spending time looking at other areas that the school offers, like ARC, Career services, Law library, etc.

I am also reading some other guides/books concerning the first year in law school. This will really help me get prepared to hit the ground running in June.

Can't understand what they want even the 1st week

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on April 17, 2010

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Instructors discuss cases not assigned.  Test on material
not assigned.  I'm ready to leave as soon as I have started.

They need to be more organized and give more support.  I can see the writing on the wall and this certainly is not for anyone with a full-time or even a part-time job.  This is a 10 hour a day course.  Don't spend the money unless you REALLY and I MEAN REALLY have that much time to devote.

It has potential

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on February 10, 2010

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Overall, it has potential.  The idea of study law online is an intriguing one and has potential in the future.  However, the programme as it stands does need some improvements. The archived lectures, while at times interesting, skip and it's frustrating not being able to ask the lecturer a question directly. A few of them are audio only, which, for me is unacceptable. Furthermore, the live lectures, while at times interesting, are subject to some audio issues and use audio and IM only- no video. Sadly, for a programme that relies on technology so heavily for its commercial and academic success, the school should upgrade the system.

I will say that the faculty are exceptionally helpful and approachable.  For that, I gave them a 10.

Solid Education

JD Health Law Track
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on December 5, 2009

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Overall, I am very happy with the legal education I am getting from Concord. I am especially pleased with the instructors and lecturers many of whom have top credentials. I am an executive with a software company and would never get through a traditional law school program due to the class attendance requirements. I frequently travel internationally for weeks at a time. Without Concord, I would have no hope of advancing my career through an advanced knowledge of law.

Thanks to the Concord Team!

Concord Law School

JD Health Law Track
Reviewer: Anonymous (Graduate) on August 16, 2009

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After attending one of the nations best known schools, presently offering both online and a brick and morter education, I found myself at Concord.   

The Teachers and Professors focus on the success of each student.  When compared to my peers I have found that I excel in every instance.  

An Online education takes an exorbant amount of self discipline, dedication and committment, that traditional brick and mortar schools simply do not offer.  The online programs offered by these "traditional" schools are substandard and sloppy at best. 

Concord's committment to producing the best of the best - justifies their continued focus on Nationwide ABA acceptance.   I am sure as the students of Concord continue pulling off the highest Bar Exam Scores and continued acceptance by the U.S. Surpreme Court Bar,  Concord will prove to be inline if not better than Havard and Yale.

EJD Program

JD Health Law Track
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on July 10, 2009

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I am a 3rd year EJD student.   The first year was fine and I would have given the kind of positive appraisals others have posted here. From the beginning of year 2 and continuing to less than an hour ago I find I must  cajole, push, confront and demand that Concord provide the program as described.

In my opinion and experience, this is NOT a program for fulltime employed adults.  The course work requires about 40 yours a week.  A student should plan on taking about 3 weeks vacation from their job in order to meet Concord’s schedules for course work, exams etc.

The focus of courses even EJD courses is passing the bar exam.  This is NOT what the EJD program is about.  The course topics and assignments are designed for the practice of law.  In my opinion, we EJD students are viewed as lesser, JD unqualified and JD wanna-be students.  Concord does not understand nor value neither who the EJD student is, nor what the field and professional application really is.

The curriculum is not well coordinated.  Readings (cases) don’t match lecture topics.  Assignments don’t promote critical analysis of the EJD field and do not have any application to the real world.

The technology is out of sync with the rapidly advancing field and I have had to down grade to earlier versions of software programs in order to be compatible with the Concord platform.  Technology services can take days to respond.  

Administrative responses to questions are NOT prompt. The tone and demeanor of responses is often negative, judgmental and blaming of students.  More recently, I have noticed a tone and structure that assumes students are cheating and make them jump through hoops to prove they are not.  It is most unfortunate that they appear so disinterested in student success and more interested in creating barriers for students. Students are left to scour documents and search the fine print for answers that are neither readily available nor apparent.

Contrary to the criticism from other posts, I do NOT find that my colleagues in the EJD program are looking to have professors and advisors “hold their hands”.  Nor do they lack an  understanding that this is “graduate school”. Quite the contrary, all of those I am familiar with have advanced degrees and a history of success as graduate students.

I do believe that Concord  misrepresent as well as undervalues the EJD program and then has little interest in the students.

It is unfortunate because the potential to be an outstanding program is there but they fall short on a daily basis and seem to have no interest in improving. Listening to students is not their forte.

Much More Difficult than Brick and Mortar

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: Anonymous (Graduate) on April 30, 2009

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I chose an online law school because I could not attend a traditional one, could not invest that much time away from home.

With online I was able to do the lectures on my schedule and keep up with long nights and weekends.

Law School online is hard, and one must be willing to put in the time.  I just read a review from a person  in the EJD program at Concord  claims little support, and that he is unsure of the benefit.  Why then is he in the program?  This is graduate school, and it seems too many of these people are looking for something easy.  It is really hard to believe most of these post.

I had lots going on in my life, so it took me four years to complete the EJD, and I feel good about the accomplishment.

I'm using the degree in a limited practice of law.  If one checks around, there are opportunities if you can pass the exams.

A Great Online Program

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on April 23, 2009

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I earned my MBA online, and as an experienced online student I can say Concord is a quality program. Being an online student requires a ton of discipline, and if you expect the professors to hold your hand through the process of earning your degree, it is definitely not for you. But if you need good mentorship and educational discourse, then it's the best way to "virtually" earn your degree and still work in the "real" world. I recomment it highly.

Same As Other Online Schools

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: parkeryl (Degree In Progress) on April 7, 2009

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I would have to agree with the above poster.  It seems that after they get your money it's hard to get help from them. The advisiors never check on their students. They often change the program, then when there is a problem they say well this is what was in the catalog. I enjoyed the live classes that's why I gave them a 10 on technology.  They have this rule that says you must login every 21 days.After the first year I had a lot of problems with them. It seems to be a money thing with them.

Best Law School Around

JD Program
Reviewer: jim (Degree In Progress) on January 27, 2009

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Best law program around.  Concord is the Harvard of the internet and the future of legal education.  I have professors from some of the top law schools in the country teaching classes.  Even a couple from Harvard.  Go figure.

actually, pretty good

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: erhkh (Degree In Progress) on November 26, 2008

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i agree with the other reviewer that there is a strong focus on passing certain tests..HELLO, what good is the degree if you don't pass the BAR exam..my experience has been dramatically different than his/hers. The texts are great.. The video classes were fine, although they were , at times, out of sync with the other homework..however, this was a minor inconvenience. i believe you get out of it what you put into it. the feedback was excellent and timely..i've yet to wait more than a few days for an answer to my question. generally, they wouldn't tell me to 'not worry abput it' but to investigate it myself instead of just giving me the answer. i know of many concord graduates that are doing just fine with their degrees. It is pricey, i'll admit, but they haven't steered me wrong yet..so, i'm going to continue on and trust the system...

Disappointing

Juris Doctor
Reviewer: Anonymous (Degree In Progress) on December 30, 2007

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Am working on their Executive JD program, meaning I study a modifed verson of the JD track and could earn a degree of uncertain value after 3 years (instead of 4). I started in the JD track and, as the pace got faster, transferred to the EJD. The time required is unrealistic for full-time adults. Represented as 15-20 hours per week, it realistically requires 30-35 hours per week on average to properly complete assignments. Being a Kaplan school, Concord's main thrust is teaching how to take the Bar Exam. There is far less interest in discussing concepts or teaching content. More than once online replies to my questions have been "Don't waste your time on that." In the EJD track, teaching support is nearly absent. Quality of feedback is significantly worse, and time for feedback takes much longer. Finally, curriculum materials are often out of date,  and video lectures are out of synch with reading assignments making the learning experience more difficult (listening to a lecture on cases not read and not assigned for many weeks in the future). In my opinion, and based on 12-months experience, I find Concord to have misrepresented their program, to deliver a shoddy product which is not being maintained in a timely manner, and to provide support services of uncertain and unpredictable quality. Being among the more expensive distance learning options, they disappoint. And, shamelessly, they keep increasing their tuition by 5% or more each semester, pushing them close to $10,000 per year. Too much, frankly, for the program they deliver. Distance learning degrees are not yet recognized by higher learning accreditation authorities, their credits cannot be transferred, and their degree is not ABA recognized. In other words, all you might possibly get is knowledge, but their program is rigidly focused on passing a test which is of uncertain value to its students -- with very little interest in actually teaching anything. 
Disappointing, to say the least. I won't be paying them any more for two more years of this silly dance. I have the texts, I will get as much by reading them on my own.

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