Is going to a Non-ABA approved Law School worth it?

Question

I am looking at law schools and i noticed that some are ABA approved and others are not, would going to one that is a non aba school be even worth the trouble?

Answer 1

Go to the ABA School. This is not to say that non-ABA schools don't produce good lawyers, but ABA schools will give you the tools you need to succeed. They have the resources to make sure you pass the exam.

It may save you money to go to a non-ABA school, but you'll end up paying for it in bar prep fees. I have several friends whose bar prep fees equalled what it would have cost to just go to an ABA school in the first place.

BTW, Golden Gate University in San Francisco IS ABA approved.

Answer 2

not worth the trouble. Even if you are currently in a state that allows you to sit for the exam without going to an ABA-approved school, you'd have a tough time if you ever wanted to move elsewhere. Some states do give automatic reciprocity but others are very, very strict and wouldn't even allow you to take the bar exam in that state even if you had been practicing elsewhere for years.

unless you are in a state where you don't need to be in an ABA-approved school and are POSITIVE you would never move, it's still risky because you can't predict the future and might change your mind down the road.

Answer 3

The whole law school experiance is a shake down from day one financially. The biggest reason for not going to going to a non-aba law school is "value" - why would you waste 5 years of your life ( prepping for LSAT-getting accepted - struggling through - prepping for bar ) and 100K+ to have 1/2 the options ? Also - because there are too many aba-law schools that will take you. If you graduate from a non-aba law school, you will be practice limited to the state where you went to school - at least for 5 years. You also have to put up with massive BS trying to get into the bar - by taking two bars - 1st the baby bar & 2nd the regular bar. Also, unless you are very entrenpreneur minded ( you dont need to work at a firm ) , you will have a hard time getting a job at a firm. You could get hired as a prosecutor or by the FBI, but why get socked with 100K+law school debt only to make $45K? Also, not even the military will take you & probably not the FBI either - Ive noticed they are making aba-schools a requirement on job apps.You need to really check out what the average lawyer makes before you under take the incredible BS people go through to become lawyers. Engineers make 55-60+ out of engineering school these days. Also, forget law school if you have a criminal record - you may be able to get into law school & graduate - but getting accepted to the bar if you "were" a criminal is very hard if not impossible. I think all non-aba law schools should be sued out of business - because there are many untold stories of emotional and financial anguish of those who went to non-aba schools, after wasting 5 years of their lives in the whole process, not eventually getting the "privilege" to sit for the bar. But, if you just want to learn to think like a lawyer for 100K+ - then by all means have at it . Better - if there is some reason you feel the need to goto a non-aba lawschool because perhaps you dont have a Mr America OR American Idol resume, start at the bottom and work your way up on school rankings - IE like Pace Law school, there are some nice newly accredited law schools in places like FLorida etc. IE Look at the newly accredited schools if you are accademically challenged & perhaps have not mastered the art of walking on water. ALSO - DO NOT GO TO those pseudo Christian law schools like Regent - unless you have a fasination for religious psychotics. Im not to say there is anything wrong with Christian lawyers - just Regent.

Answer 4

That depends on your career goals; my friend graduated from a non-ABA school in California, and he is practicing fine. It depends on what kind of law you are planning to focus towards. It also depends on the state you live in. Non-ABA schools only allow you to practice in that state. A state like California has plenty of in-house casework, but smaller states may require you to work outside your state. If you have high ambitions, get the bigger loans and go to an ABA-approved school.

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 5

In states like California and Vermont they don't care. All you have to do is pass the Bar Exam. Otherwise go to the ABA school.

Answer 6

Yes - there are lots of non-ABA schools that are just fine. JFK in Orinda/Moraga, Golden Gate in SF, etc. You can practice law in CA (if you pass the bar) and after 5 years can petitiion the ABA to practice in other states (you have to pass their bar exams).

Answer 7

it is absolutely not worth it.....most if not all state bars do not recognize non-aba approved law schools. this means that you won't be able to practice anywhere because no one will allow you in their bar. it is imperative that you go to an aba approved law school.

Answer 8

No! It really is not worth the trouble at all!!! Although the actual education may be just as good, it makes it MUCH harder to get admitted to BAR. Basically, you will ONLY be able to practice in the state in which you graduate, and it will take quite a long time before you will even be allowed to sit for the bar exam. It is NOT worth it.