If you are applying to law school next year, there is a lot to know.
The past two law school admissions cycles have been ultra-competitive, with applications soaring.
As I write this column, applications are still up by about 20% compared to this time last year, according to the Law School Admission Council data. They are up 39.7% compared to the past four-year average.
It remains to be seen if the upcoming cycle will stay as competitive. I am hoping that it might be less competitive, and the pendulum will swing back a little bit — but it is anyone’s guess at this point.
Nonetheless, there are things you can be aware of to prepare.
Law school admissions changes
In addition to numbers of applications skyrocketing, the percentage of applicants to law school has included a majority of applicants who have worked for at least one year between college and law school.
There are fewer applicants enrolling right out of college. That trend seems to be continuing.
Consider if you would like to take a year or more after college before you apply to law school.
There are also changes on the horizon in terms of how to finance law school.
Major changes are ahead in terms of available federal student loans for new borrowers beginning a J.D. program after July 1st.
See the Law School Admission’s Council Financial Aid FAQs for more detailed information and speak directly with the financial aid offices at the law schools you are applying to.
Remember that institutional aid in terms of merit and need-based scholarships, as well as external scholarships may be available.
There is also an upcoming important upcoming change to how you might take the LSAT.
While the LSAT became remote during the pandemic, and then was hybrid after that, starting this summer, it will go back to being in person. While there are some exceptions for applicants who might have difficulty taking it in person, the vast majority of applicants will need to take it in person at designated test centers, going forward.
What is not changingÂ
Despite the current economy or political landscape, some elements of law school admissions remain the same.
You can prepare for a rolling admissions cycle, where most applicants apply well before deadlines.
You can prepare to have a personal statement that you are proud of, and that you have several months to perfect.
You will need a resume, a transcript, two to four letters of recommendation and optional essays.
Other than the optional essays, which can change from year to year, you can start to work right now on the other elements of your application, so you don’t feel rushed.
Law firm hiring changes
You should be aware that the timing and methodology of law firm hiring has shifted dramatically to an earlier model.
Some law students I know already have both their 1L and 2L summer jobs lined up. This is different from the former model of on campus interview (OCI) programs run by law schools.
Now, instead of hiring mainly via law career services, many law firms recruit directly and on an earlier timetable.
The bottom line is that in your first semester of law school, you might be interviewing potentially for 1L summer jobs and possibly even 2L summer associate programs — factor that into ways that you are currently preparing for law school.
Hillary Mantis is an admissions expert who has worked with applicants to law school for more than 20 years. She is the author of several books about law school admissions and legal careers. Questions? You can reach her at Hillary.mantis@yahoo.com.
