Pre-Law Attitudes

April 19th, 2013 / By Deborah J. Merritt

The Kaplan Test Prep company has published the results of an online survey of pre-law students who have taken a Kaplan LSAT course. The results of this survey are more anecdotal than scientific; 228 students responded to the survey but Kaplan does not indicate how many were invited to participate. It is impossible, therefore, to determine how representative these respondents are–even of students who take Kaplan LSAT prep courses.

With that important caveat, the survey results contain more bad news for law schools. Forty-three percent of the respondents declared that they planned to use their JD in the “business world,” and forty-two percent indicated that “they’d likely pursue an MBA if they weren’t already pursuing a JD.” Some observers might interpret those responses to mean that pre-law students are grasping the versatility of the JD and actively planning to use their legal training in non-traditional fields. Unfortunately, though, the responses connote a much gloomier prospect.

Those responses suggest remarkably weak interest in legal careers, even among people who have plunked down money for an LSAT prep course. If these pre-law students are already thinking about business school, how likely are they to persevere through applications, admissions, and financial aid counseling–ultimately enrolling in law school?

Responses to another survey question underscore this low attachment to legal careers. Forty-three percent of the Kaplan respondents said they were likely to alter or postpone their law school plans if they did not get a favorable financial aid package. Again, these are pre-law students with the money and commitment to take an LSAT prep course; despite that commitment, they are remarkably noncommittal about law school.

The Kaplan survey is yet another indicator that the downturn in law school applications will last for at least several more years. Next fall’s college freshmen have had all of high school to absorb information about the high cost of law school and the uncertain job prospects. Would-be lawyers may have already turned to computer science, engineering, nursing, business, and other subjects; they may not even explore law as an option. If the college juniors and seniors who responded to the Kaplan survey are already this skeptical about law school, then how much enthusiasm will their younger siblings bring to campus?