Just drop out instead

[🍟💵🌲🍥]

If you are thinking about "Transfering" why not just drop out? I don't mean this in a bad way. I mean this in a productive way. NY, CA, (and a few others that I can't think of) let you dropout after 1L (no babybar or anything) and start practicing under another attorney for a few years before sitting the bar exam. Get paid instead of paying in.

Want a "JD" still? Get an online one. If you are out of CA and studying under a lawyer to sit the bar get the EJD. That is still a regionally accredited degree that you can get with regular finaid (just cant sit the exam with it alone).

I'd make sure you have a lawyer lined up before doing it. But go for it man.
This vid pretty much sums up my thoughts on transferring otherwise............
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/5566683/dont-transfer-commercial

[Maintain FL 350]

I guess it depends on why someone is considering transferring, but this would be a really bad move for the vast majority of students.

First, good luck finding a lawyer or judge to sponsor your studies. I can't speak for NY, but in CA the supervising lawyer has to send in timesheets to the bar certifying that they've taught you X number of hours in Torts, X hours in Contracts, supervised exams, etc. It's not as freewheeling as people think, and most lawyers don't have the time or interest in spending half their day teaching law to someone. That's why even in CA only a tiny handful of people (like 4 or 5 a year) go this route.

Second, this type of study will not sufficiently prepare most students for the bar exam. The bar pass rates are close to zero.

Last, most employers will not hire you without a JD. If you plan on a solo practice, I guess that doesn't matter.

Bottom line, if you can't handle the rigors of traditional law school then there is no reason to think that this would be a viable alternative. If anything, it's a more difficult route and requires even greater discipline and brain power to succeed.   

       

[🍟💵🌲🍥]

Good counter points. I wouldn't recommend doing it without having the lawyer lined up to be sure.
The bar prep argument part is a nonstarter though. That's what Barbri is for. Heck. sign up for it early and be MORE prepared than the average grad.

[Citylaw]

I think there is no replacement for a J.D. Although, people complaint they don't learn enough in law school, I actually think you learn a lot, but lawyers are not known for their optimism.

Although, law school cannot prepare you for every single thing or even 10% of the things you will encounter in practice it builds a solid foundation and a lot of what I learned in law school has been very helpful.

However, if your goal is only to get a license to practice law OP makes good points. If you are multimillionaire and really wanted to get a bar card you could find an attorney to fill out the paperwork to the California Bar and would be eager to teach you the law if paid.

 

[🍟💵🌲🍥]

I don't see how it would be any different that the online "schools" IMHO. If someone double dipped it with an EJD it would be almost identical really.