LSAT has published updated law school application data. As of January 4, 2013, a total of 22,414 people had applied to (ABA accredited) law schools. For comparison sake, this number is 22.1% lower than this point in time last year. Another important fact: last year at this time, we had tallied 42% of what would become the total applicant pool. If that number holds, we would be looking at a total applicant pool around 52,000.
In 2010, 87,900 people applied to law school. As others have noted, this new applicant number of 52,000 would be roughly equal to the number of people who entered law school in 2010.
Has anyone looked at the overall student profiles (GPA, LSAT, gender, diversity) over time and what groupings are dropping out of the applicant pool? I'm curious whether it is the low end, thus not impacting overall matriculant GPA/LSAT quality, an across the board drop, or some other mix.
Posted by: Lee | January 10, 2013 at 12:33 PM
The chart below shows the high LSAT score of 2013 ABA applicants with the percent change from last year:
Highest LSAT
Number of Applicants
Pct Chg YTD
< 140
1,059; -22.9%
140–144
1,419; -26.7%
145–149
2,381; -24.1%
150–154
3,676; -21.6%
155–159
4,340; -23.4%
160–164
4,037; -20.7%
165–169
3,232; -17.7%
170–174
1,498; -25.5%
175–180
373; -32.1%
Posted by: Anonymous | January 10, 2013 at 03:05 PM
Interesting stats. Among the highest scorers (170-180), we have the most significant drop. Among the next group (160-169), we have the lowest drop.
Possibly, the highest scorers have the best alternative options and are the most tuned in to the problems. And the next group are so stoked they got into a First Tier (or even a T-14) that they are blinded by their "good fortune."
Posted by: john | January 10, 2013 at 05:50 PM
Dumb question - does this reflect a drop in applicants or applications?
As in, are people just applying to 5 schools now instead of 6 or 7 as in the past.
Posted by: whibby | January 10, 2013 at 07:16 PM
It's a drop in applicants.
You can see the corresponding drop in applications here: http://lawschooltuitionbubble.wordpress.com/
Posted by: john | January 10, 2013 at 11:24 PM
Those are very interesting stats. Where do you get them? Are they publicly available? I see the LSAC has updated its applicants/applications info as of January 11. Are those same stats regarding LSAT distribution amongst applicants also updated and available?
Posted by: Hans Carlson | January 18, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Don't listen to these people who work at these law schools - they are lying through their teeth while lining their nests.
Posted by: SEMandSEO | January 30, 2013 at 01:01 AM
Now that there is another month's worth of LSAC law school application information, could commenter "Anonymous" again post the breakdown of 2013 applicants by LSAT score? Very interesting stats!
Posted by: Hans Carlson | February 07, 2013 at 05:59 PM