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Bar Prep Matching Program

The Center for Public Service’s Bar Prep Matching Program connects students going into public interest positions after graduation with firm-bound students who have the opportunity to provide them with a free bar prep course.

2025-26 Center for Public Service Bar Prep Matching Program

For summer 2026, BarBri, Kaplan and Themis have all indicated that they expect a matching program to be available for Emory Law students. Exact details of the programs can change from year to year and are typically announced near the beginning of the academic year, so be sure to check back here for updates.

The information shared below is based on past practice and on what the bar prep companies have indicated is likely in 2026; it is subject to change.

Eligible firm-bound students can offer a free bar prep course (Themis, Kaplan, or BarBri) to eligible public interest students. The bar prep companies “gift” these courses to the public interest students, so neither the firm-bound student nor the law firm incur any additional costs to provide the course. (For public interest students who receive a gift course, there is no tuition; however, the student may still need to pay some fees, such as for materials and shipping).

The details of the programs vary between the three bar prep companies, and can vary from year to year. If you are interested in participating in the program, please complete one of these forms so that we can provide you with more information and work to find you a match.

Important Note: Firm bound students may be required to request the gift course at or around the time they register for their own course.

Firm-bound students interested in gifting a course: Thank you! Please complete this form.

Public-interest-bound students interested in receiving a gift course: Please complete this form so that we can begin finding you a match. Please be patient as this process may take some time.

FAQs

Which firm-bound students qualify to gift a prep course to a public interest student?

  • BarBri: Students enrolled in BarBri courses directly by their law firms may qualify, depending on which package the firm has purchased. Students can reach out to Emory Law’s BarBri rep to determine whether their firm qualifies.
  • Kaplan: Any student who enrolls in Kaplan’s Convenience package is eligible. 
  • Themis: Any student paying full, regular Themis tuition. (Tuition can be paid directly by the student’s firm or paid by the student and reimbursed by the firm).

Which public interest bound students qualify to receive a course?

  • BarBri: Students who will earn $75,000 or less in government, non-profit/legal aid, judicial clerkship, or other public interest jobs.
  • Kaplan: Public Interest is defined by a broad range of activities. Public Interest lawyers work to effect change in social policies for the public interest, on 'not for profit' terms, or to represent poor or marginalized people. Instead of serving the interests of private clients or economic interests, Public Interest lawyers advocate for otherwise under-represented or vulnerable individuals and communities to protect the rights, health, or finances of the public at large.
  • Themis: Students with a history of public interest work in law school and stated intent to pursue public interest work. 

As a public interest student, do I need to have accepted a post-graduate job to participate in the program?

  • BarBri: Yes.
  • Kaplan: Yes.
  • Themis: No, the student only needs a demonstrated history of public interest work in law school.

I have already agreed with a friend to gift a course to them. Can I do that? And should I still complete the form?

Yes, definitely! Please complete the form so that we know that you are participating in the gifting program. There is a space on the form to indicate that you are matching with a specific student.

Do firm-bound students need to supply the name of their matching public interest student at the time they register for a bar prep course? When is the deadline to participate?

  • BarBri: There is no set deadline, but the earlier, the better. In past years, BarBri has allocated a set number of gift courses available nationwide, and once those are taken, the program closes. Students do not have to supply the name of the public interest student at the time they register, but the earlier they are able to reach out with the name, the higher the likelihood that a gift course will be available.
  • Kaplan: The firm student does not have to identify the matching public interest student at the time the firm student registers; however, the public interest student must have been a current student at the time the firm student enrolled in the Kaplan course.
  • Themis: Themis anticipates a deadline around the end of October. Firm-bound students must list the student they are gifting a course at the time they register for Themis; however, the public interest student does not need to have secured employment to receive the gift.

Will all students be matched?

We will do our best to match as many students as possible within the limitations of the bar prep programs, but unfortunately cannot guarantee a match.

As a public interest student, do I have options for reduced bar fees if I am not matched?

All three companies offer options for reduced tuition for public interest students. More details are available on their websites, linked here: