First off, it is really important to submit your character and fitness application as soon as possible. Over the summer when you’re drowning in bar prep, the last thing you want to deal with is supplementing missing information or worse yet, waiting in anticipation to hear that your application has been approved. I know a couple of people who passed the state bar, but cannot be sworn in and thus, cannot practice, because their character and fitness application is still pending.

Second, I recommend gathering all of the information that you will need to complete the character and fitness application before sitting down to actually fill out the online application. This makes the process much more smooth and less frustrating.

For my state’s character and fitness application (California), the pertinent information that was required included: residence history for the past eight years; all current and previous employment; five personal references, of which at least one must be a member of the Bar, and of which only one may be a law professor from which you have received instruction. Additionally, if you have any other credentials and/or licenses, you will likely need to include that on your application. Finally, be prepared to submit information about the following if it applies to you: complaints and/or professional discipline; mental illness, disease, or disorder; civil actions and discipline; convictions; bondedness and indebtedness; bankruptcy; chemical dependency.

Though each state’s bar is likely to require different variations or levels of depth for each category of the application, the pertinent information outlined above is a good starting point. I recommend reviewing your state’s character and fitness application, and making a list of all categories of information required to complete the application.

Also, keep in mind that for each of the items you are required to report on, it is beneficial to prepare yourself by gathering more information than may be necessary. Though having too much “paperwork” can be overwhelming, it is surely better than scrambling last minute in an effort to remember or find your dorm address from freshman year.

Last but not least, continue to be proactive about your character and fitness application after you have submitted it. Maintain frequent contact with your state bar’s character and fitness department to stay updated on the status of your application. Good luck!

The character and Fitness portion of the bar application absolutely, positively has to be the single most unnerving and distressing portion of the entire application. I mean, depending on the state you are in, it seems like you have to write down and share with strangers every single wrong you’ve ever committed in your life. Parking tickets? Yep. Ticket for a tail light out? Yep. Got fired from a job? Check. That candy bar you stole from your sister and told her the dog ate it when you were 5? Well, better safe than sorry.

It’s embarrassing and humbling to tell complete strangers about all the missteps we’ve had in life. All of these little incidents can add up quickly and before you know it, you’re looking at your application like a rap sheet; and a particularly full one at that. But as you’re filling out all your life’s mistakes, try and keep in mind that is all they are: your mistakes. They don’t ask you about all your amazing accomplishments (like getting through law school!) or how much you had to overcome. They don’t care how good a friend you are, or about all those opportunities you had to do the wrong thing and chose not to. But you should. So just be as open and honest as you can; they’ll never ask you again or pry any further, unless you try and hide something. And, after writing down seemingly every single thing you’ve done wrong in your life, go out and have an ice cream or a drink with friends; confide in them, vent to them, and let them remind you that, at the end of the day, you are far more than some missteps listed on a piece of paper.