Problem-DETC accredited B.S. and a desire to go to law school in N.Y. I prefer a part time night program-Curious about whether or not my degree fulfills the undergraduate degree requirement or not, I inquired and admissions is considering it. I may or may not get a response, I can take the LSAT and apply and see what happens. There is no law in NY that says I can't sit for the bar and be admitted with a DETC undergraduate degree so it's up to the law school. Any advice? I know I want to practice law, I work as a legal assistant now. I thought about moving back to Boston, at some point, but the situation will be the same in terms of admissions. Thank you, Nat.
Since New York is your target state, you really need an ABA J.D. If New Jersey is on the radar screen, I THINK you need both an ABA J.D. and a regionally accredited bachelor's degree. The ABA standards for accreditation of law schools specifically allow an accredited law school to accept a nationally accredited bachelor's degree. That's the good news. It's up to the school. That's the bad news. Advice? Don't just ask the law school for an advisory opinion. They will be very reluctant to answer any such general question unless they can point to a specific rule or policy. They don't have to answer your question so they likely never will. Instead, take the LSAT and APPLY. Law school admissions committees generally focus on LSAT scores and undergrad GPA. Only after that do they look at other factors. So, if your LSAT scores are astronomical, the school will likely look more kindly on your DETC bachelor's degree. There are lots and lots and lots of people "thinking" about law school. Far fewer actually get around to applying. Get serious about this and APPLY.
My mistake Forget what I said about NJ. The Garden State does not have a prelegal education requirement.
Hi, if you are considering an ABA law school, may I please recommend this book: Planet Law School II: What You Need to Know (Before You Go), But Didn't Know to Ask... and No One Else Will Tell You, Second Edition by Atticus Falcon? I really like the author's insights, but I have not been to law school.
ABAnet Maybe New York has additional requirements. But they won't be licensing requirements. Makes you wonder who writes the laws.
NY admission to the Bar Actually, the NY Board of Bar Examiners web site is: www.nybarexam.org/ It is possible to qualify in New York WITHOUT a law degree. It is also possible to qualify with an LL.B. from an English resident program.
NY H8s D/L JDs But it is IMpossible to qualify with a D/L law degree no matter how many years of practice experience the applicant may have.
Applying Thank you for the replies. Yes applying is the best way I have decided too but thank you for the supportive answers. I transferred after three years to a DETC school so the worst that can happen is that I need to get another Bachelor's. Thanks! Nat
Of course not. But a law degree is a large undertaking; you wouldn't want to do it twice. I heard a rumor a year or so ago that a fellow got himself admitted to the California Bar with an unaccredited degree then obtained an ABA J.D. The story goes that the ABA school gave him something like three semesters worth of transfer credit. Maybe. I knew a Canadian lawyer who did something like that. But in his case, he had earned an LL.B. at the University of Alberta. I know my school gave him significant advanced standing, but there was no doubt about his law school.
