Law School with less then 60 graded credits

[Stonybeach]

Just speaking from my own experience, you might also want to consider a GDL in the UK + an LLM at a T20 - T50 in the US.
Personally I found it more manageable financially than going to a school like NWCU Law.

Most people advise against LLM programs, but that's advice for foreign lawyers.
Many LLM programs also allow you to transfer into JD programs, which might help you circumvent your issue with undergraduate credits.

I know foreign LLB to T50 LLM school graduates who have been admitted to the bar and have become successful attorneys. With that said, they were foreigners. If you are a US citizen, I would explore all options at US ABA-accredited programs T100++, including Puerto Rico, before going that track! I'm not an attorney, but from my personal experience in the medical field, there is too much bias and challenges in the US towards foreign graduates, and if your goal is to "practice" in this country, then go to a school within the US or its territories, period! There are fewer hoops to jump through! My interest in law is not going to law school, although I have considered it. I have been looking at programs like these and considering legal nurse consulting as I see more and more job offerings in this area. https://health-law-strategy.nyu.edu/
https://bulletin.capital.edu/preview_pro...&poid=2786


Not to hijack the thread, but any advice is appreciated.

[lincolnlawyer]

Just speaking from my own experience, you might also want to consider a GDL in the UK + an LLM at a T20 - T50 in the US.
Personally I found it more manageable financially than going to a school like NWCU Law.

Most people advise against LLM programs, but that's advice for foreign lawyers.
Many LLM programs also allow you to transfer into JD programs, which might help you circumvent your issue with undergraduate credits.

I know foreign LLB to T50 LLM school graduates who have been admitted to the bar and have become successful attorneys. With that said, they were foreigners. If you are a US citizen, I would explore all options at US ABA-accredited programs T100++, including Puerto Rico, before going that track! I'm not an attorney, but from my personal experience in the medical field, there is too much bias and challenges in the US towards foreign graduates, and if your goal is to "practice" in this country, then go to a school within the US or its territories, period! There are fewer hoops to jump through! My interest in law is not going to law school, although I have considered it. I have been looking at programs like these and considering legal nurse consulting as I see more and more job offerings in this area. https://health-law-strategy.nyu.edu/
https://bulletin.capital.edu/preview_pro...&poid=2786


Not to hijack the thread, but any advice is appreciated.

I didn’t know these degrees existed. They sure look interesting especially for those who want to look for opportunities in regulation & compliance. 

My LLM cohort were mostly foreign trained lawyers, and among them foreign students had the hardest time finding a job, let alone passing the bar (mostly due to visa issues, though). I would suggest trying a T30 LLM first before doing a non-ABA school like NWCU Law.

[HogwartsSchool]

If you are a US citizen or not. Going the foreign law degree + US LLM, will result in an immediate disadvantage against anyone with a JD in the US, both for hiring and overall salary. Also, some takes have very strict requirements for foreign law degrees to take the Bar exam, making it very challenging. Not saying you can't be successful but its creates many additional hurdles you must overcome. With that said. If someone is unable to finance/loan/scholarship for a US JD than a foreign law degree + US LLM might be more of an economic viability, if your state bar will allow that method "foreign law degree + US LLM" Also, many states bars will NOT accept Online, foreign law degrees, it must be in person.

One additional note: A post from someone mentioned a GDL in the UK. I haven't seen any state bars accept a GDL as equivalent to a foreign law degree (LLB). I would be extremely proactive and speak with the state bar before pursing a GDL + US LLM.

[Nemfis]

Thanks to everyone for responding here.

I am a Canadian applicant, and I am considering the US Law system more attractive for me, that is why I want to consider this option only instead of doing a Canadian or UK degree. If I end up deciding to become a Canadian JD, I will look into the UK accelerated LLB or direct admission to a Canadian JD program. But right now, I am focused strictly on preparing for my LSAT and also reaching out to admission committees of some Law Schools to clarify if: 1) They do accept applicants with No GPA; 2) They do provide merit scholarships to applicants with No GPA, strictly LSAT-based.

I was and am keeping high grades at UMPI (Dual Baccalaureate, doing second program now, BA after BLS) due to a possible scholarship because otherwise, I can't afford law school with my wife and 2 kids. My goal is to graduate specifically from ABA school and advocate for people with disabilities who face legal and systemic barriers every day, the same as I did after an unexpected life-changing car accident when I was 27.

P.S. From my research, Puerto Rico Universities don't accept applicants with "No GPA".

[Stonybeach]

P.S. From my research, Puerto Rico Universities don't accept applicants with "No GPA".

The OP has a 4.0 GPA with 30 graded credits! The issue is not having 60 graded credits within the first bachelor degree.

[Nemfis]

P.S. From my research, Puerto Rico Universities don't accept applicants with "No GPA".

The OP has a 4.0 GPA with 30 graded credits! The issue is not having 60 graded credits within the first bachelor degree.

I am the OP, and having less than 60 credits means "No GPA". 

https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school...marization

[Stonybeach]

P.S. From my research, Puerto Rico Universities don't accept applicants with "No GPA".

The OP has a 4.0 GPA with 30 graded credits! The issue is not having 60 graded credits within the first bachelor degree.

I am the OP, and having less than 60 credits means "No GPA". 

https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school...marization

Can you get accepted to law school in Canada with the UMPI degree? Good Luck!

[lincolnlawyer]

If you are a US citizen or not. Going the foreign law degree + US LLM, will result in an immediate disadvantage against anyone with a JD in the US, both for hiring and overall salary. Also, some takes have very strict requirements for foreign law degrees to take the Bar exam, making it very challenging. Not saying you can't be successful but its creates many additional hurdles you must overcome. With that said. If someone is unable to finance/loan/scholarship for a US JD than a foreign law degree + US LLM might be more of an economic viability, if your state bar will allow that method "foreign law degree + US LLM" Also, many states bars will NOT accept Online, foreign law degrees, it must be in person.

One additional note: A post from someone mentioned a GDL in the UK. I haven't seen any state bars accept a GDL as equivalent to a foreign law degree (LLB). I would be extremely proactive and speak with the state bar before pursing a GDL + US LLM.

Just to clarify my position on the GDL/LLB(UK) + LLM option, I don't advise anyone to do this but with three exceptions:
(1) you are experiencing financial difficulties to sponsor yourself through law school/can't justify the ROI of incurring more than $100k in debt;
(2) your education limits your possibility to enroll in a JD program (like OP);
(3) you are pursuing bar admission in ANY of the 50 states to boost your career (many foreign lawyers I know do this - they don't practice law in the US; they offer legal advice on US law overseas, focus on ADR, work in compliance, or act as the 'middleman' for foreign companies - usually those from their home country - in need of representation in the US.)

My understanding of bar admission requirements for applicants with foreign education is solely based on my memory, so anyone reading this is advised to verify this information by consulting the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and reviewing relevant rules of state bar associations.
 
The GDL can always be laddered into an LLB (hons/accelerated). You can also do a Qualifi/OHTM level5&6 extended diploma and top it up into an LLB. That should satisfy the first degree in law requirement for most states. 

Also, many states bars will NOT accept Online, foreign law degrees, it must be in person.

This is absolutely correct. The question is, then, that among the states that allow applicants with foreign education to sit for the bar, how many allow the first degree in law to be completed via distance learning, and would a conversion program like the GDL suffice? As far as I know, California is the only state that fits the profile. The California Bar uses its own foreign education evaluation to determine eligibility, and someone in my cohort had her GDL evaluated as qualifying law degree = first degree in law.

New York, on the other hand, imposes through statute that an applicant with foreign legal education must suffice a two-part ("substantive" and "duration") requirement in order to take the bar. An LLM can only 'cure' one part of the requirement, but not both. This effectively limits the scope of foreign credential evaluation as your qualifying legal education must be similar in length and content to a JD at a US law school. In this case, a GDL is unlikely to succeed. I don't recall NY having an in-person requirement, so in theory a three-year LLB or a two-year LLB (hons) taken online could satisfy the requirement, as most JD programs are either 2 (accelerated) or 3 years in length.

Speaking specifically of those in OP's position, my reasoning in favor of an LLM is simple: it is hard to justify the ROI. Personal Injury and Civil Rights Advocacy haven't been lucrative fields of legal practice for a very long time. They certainly are incomparable to big law (no offense, OP), and many in the practice are struggling to find clients to make ends meet. OP is unlikely to get into a T20 or T14 due to no-GPA, and going to a T50~ school will still require at least 3 years of time and close to $100k of debt in student loans. 

A GDL/LLB + LLM will cost only $60K at most, and most LLM programs allow direct transfer into their JD programs. Some universities like American University even allow credit transfer from an LLM program taken at a different school.

The way I see it, with fields that require a lot of independent/boutique-sized work like Personal Injury or Civil Rights Advocacy, it is best to "test the waters" by getting a bar license first, and if you feel like your career needs the JD, transfer into one later on.

As for why I advise against NWCU, NWCU takes 4 years to complete, and it only qualifies one to take the California bar. As someone who has taken the bar and passed, you really don't need 4 years of law school to pass the bar. In fact, many would agree that studying for the bar is completely different from studying in law school. Plus, many LLM programs don't accept those with a state-accredited degree. This means that even in states where those with a California-accredited law degree can cure their qualifications with an LLM and take the bar, finding a program itself will be extremely difficult.

[HogwartsSchool]

NY does have an in-person requirement for a LLB (foreign law degree). "With the exception of the distance education provision in Court Rule 520.3© law degrees obtained by distance education, correspondence, external study, internet or self-study do not qualify an individual to take the New York bar examination."

Washington D.C. recently updated to include distance.

Discussing state bars, all a mute point if the OP doesn't want to live in that state. The states are very restrictive about someone practicing law in a different state. There's many famous case laws that show that very point. Don't get barred in one state and then practice law in a different state.

[lincolnlawyer]

NY does have an in-person requirement for a LLB (foreign law degree). "With the exception of the distance education provision in Court Rule 520.3© law degrees obtained by distance education, correspondence, external study, internet or self-study do not qualify an individual to take the New York bar examination."

Washington D.C. recently updated to include distance.

Discussing state bars, all a mute point if the OP doesn't want to live in that state. The states are very restrictive about someone practicing law in a different state. There's many famous case laws that show that very point. Don't get barred in one state and then practice law in a different state.

That's interesting to know.

D.C. used to be a popular option for foreign trained lawyers as it uses the UBE, but they imposed a equivalency of number of credits around 2021-2022.

Some people I know ended up going back to law school as a non-degree, for credit student just to cure their qualifications.