Law School Admissions Surge: 26% Increase in Applicants Sparks a Competitive Year

The 2024 law school admission cycle has kicked off with a significant surge in applicants, showing a 26% rise in the number of individuals seeking a spot for the next academic year compared to 2023. Additionally, the number of applications submitted to law schools has jumped by 37%, reflecting increased interest in legal education this year.

While the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), responsible for developing the LSAT, expects the early surge to moderate as the cycle progresses, current trends suggest law schools may be in high demand this year. LSAC interim president Susan Krinsky noted, “We see multiple signs that this year’s admission cycle is starting off on a very robust path.”

Influences Driving the Surge

Several key factors are fueling this heightened interest in law school. Krinsky pointed to the upcoming U.S. presidential election, recent landmark Supreme Court decisions, and Kamala Harris’ emphasis on her prosecutorial career during her presidential campaign as potential drivers of the surge. This politically charged environment may inspire more individuals to consider law school as a way to influence social change and justice.

Spivey Consulting, which specializes in law school admissions, projects that total applicant numbers could rise between 10% and 15% by the end of the cycle in spring. However, Spivey warns that an increase in applicants with high LSAT scores may make it harder for lower-scoring candidates to gain admission.

LSAT Registration Spikes

The increase in law school applicants coincides with a 13% rise in people taking the LSAT between August and October. Additionally, LSAC reports a 31% jump in individuals registered for the November LSAT compared to last year. This surge suggests that the competitive nature of this admission cycle will likely intensify as more applicants vie for limited spots at top law schools.

Early Application Data: Not Quite Apples-to-Apples

Despite the impressive early numbers, Krinsky has highlighted some important caveats. At this time last year, law schools had received only 15% of their total applications. Many institutions delayed opening their application cycles in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision barring the consideration of race in college admissions. These delays led to a shortened timeline last year, giving this year’s applicants a head start.

Krinsky stressed that the earlier application opening dates this year could inflate the current numbers. Consequently, this year’s data isn’t an exact comparison to last year’s, and the true size of the applicant pool may become clearer as the cycle progresses.

A Competitive Year Ahead

With the number of applicants rising and higher LSAT scores becoming more common, this year’s law school admission cycle is shaping up to be highly competitive. Prospective students will need to stand out in a crowded field, and those with lower LSAT scores may face more challenges in securing spots at their desired schools. The increased competition could result in higher LSAT score requirements and more selective admissions processes, making it crucial for applicants to present strong, well-rounded applications.