We are looking at the most recent law school applicant pool data as of 10/23/2022 compared to this same point in time with the application cycle last year. Of note, applicants continue to be down significantly, at -10.9% versus last year, but as we expected this decrease has slowly been cooling off. Our best guess is that it will hover for a while now in the -8% to -10% range, especially as the October test was down 10%.
All this said, the cycle itself may very well not end up significantly down, but rather down around -1% to -5%. And we are starting to see signs of admissions offices planning for a slightly down cycle, which means the pace of admitting may increase as we get into November. To be determined, of course, as the total percentage of the total data pool at this time last year was 19%, and we would guess this year that percentage is slightly lower.
More specifically:
- At this time last cycle, 19% of applications had been submitted
- Applicants are -10.9% vs. last cycle
- Applications are -13.9% vs. last cycle
- 72 schools are seeing an increase in their applications so far
- 122 schools are seeing a decrease
- 4 school no change
2022-2023 Law School Applicant LSAT Scores
As of October 23, 2022
| Highest LSAT | 2021-2022 Cycle | 2022-2023 Cycle | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 140 | 341 | 268 | -21.4% |
| 140-144 | 534 | 524 | -1.9% |
| 145-149 | 1,043 | 1,046 | 0.3% |
| 150-154 | 1,773 | 1,595 | -10.0% |
| 155-159 | 1,978 | 1,834 | -7.3% |
| 160-164 | 1,969 | 1,629 | -17.3% |
| 165-169 | 1,828 | 1,403 | -23.2% |
| 170-174 | 1,327 | 1,082 | -18.5% |
| 175+ | 467 | 415 | -11.1% |
| Total | 11,260 | 9,796 | -13.0% |