In some ways, every law school admissions cycle is similar. But in other ways, each one is very different.
Here are some trends we are starting to see for the current one:
More alternative testing is available: For a long time, the LSAT was the only standardized test available. It is still by far the most widely used test, in my experience. In recent years, though, alternative options have developed. The GRE is now accepted by approximately half of the law schools (for more information on what law schools accept the GRE, see www.ets.org, the Educational Testing Service). The GRE is more similar to the SAT or ACT, so if you are comfortable with that format, check it out.
A newcomer to testing options is called JD-Next. It is a offered by Aspen Publishing. JD-Next is an online prep course and entrance test that currently consists of an eight-week online course and admissions test.
It is accepted by some law schools but is new, so it remains to be seen how widely it is utilized. It also requires the law schools to take specific steps to be able to accept the JD-Next score.
According to Aspen, over one quarter of all ABA law schools have been granted a variance to utilize JD-Next. They advise applicants who only wish to submit a JD-Next test score to first confirm with individual law school admissions offices that this will be possible.
See Aspen publishing for more details: https://aspenpublishing.com/pages/discover-jd-next-program
Although new, it’s potentially an exciting development in the world of law school admissions testing.
Which test should applicants take?
“Take the one that’s going to represent them the best, and where they will do well,” said Stephen Brown, assistant dean for Fordham University School of Law’s admissions office.
Applicants can find out more about the format of each test, look at sample questions, see which law schools accept which tests, and then make an informed decision.
The number of applications and applicants are up: Another trend is how quickly the numbers of applicants and applications have skyrocketed so far in this admissions cycle. Whether it is because it is an election year, or because of the challenging job market, or both, the numbers of both applicants and applications are up over last year’s cycle.
This means that applicants should try to apply early in the rolling admissions cycle.
“Most schools will admit students until they hit a certain number that will yield a class,” Dean Brown said. “We don’t want to overenroll. We do not know who will deposit until they actually deposit!”
There are changes to the essay prompts: Essay prompts for law school usually do not change much if at all from year to year. In recent years, though, following the Supreme Court decisions related to admissions, colleges, law schools and other graduate schools have often revised their essay prompts. Some have also added extra optional essays.
“Schools have devoted lots of time and effort to revising personal statement prompts and optional statement prompts,” Dean Brown said. “Follow them.”
It is still early in the current admissions cycle, but so far it is shaping up to be one with several potentially positive changes, including more testing options, more essay options, and an increased interest in law school.
