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.