Surge in Law School Applications Driven by Elections, Economic Instability, and Social Movements
May 8, 2025, 4:10 pm CDT
(Image from Shutterstock)
Recent data reveals a notable increase in applications to ABA-accredited law schools, with a remarkable rise of 22.9% compared to the previous year. The number of applicants has escalated by 19.5% to reach a total of 71,065, according to the latest report from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for the 2025 admissions cycle.
Factors Influencing the Trend
Experts highlight three main drivers fueling this surge: the 2024 elections, economic uncertainty, and pressing social issues. Mike Spivey, founder and CEO of Spivey Consulting, notes, “The usual trifecta that propels people to go to law school is on steroids right now, leading to much higher numbers of applicants.”
The admissions cycle showed significant momentum, especially in December 2024, when applications surged by 35% compared to the same month the previous year. This spike was partially attributed to adjustments in the previous application cycle following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2023 to ban affirmative action. Additionally, the increase in students taking the LSAT coincided with the removal of the “logic games” section.
Spivey estimates that 10% to 20% of this year’s application increase can be linked to the electoral landscape. The recent shift in leadership dynamics, particularly with Kamala Harris’ legal background playing a prominent role, has heightened interest in legal studies, alongside the contentious platform of the Trump campaign.
Susan L. Krinsky asserts that while an election year influences applications, the multitude of social and legal issues has also played a critical role. “A law degree is an opportunity to get involved,” she affirms. (Photo courtesy of the LSAC)
Economic Concerns as a Catalyst
According to Spivey, economic factors have inspired another 8% to 20% of applicants to consider law school, as many individuals grapple with an unstable job market and inflation fears. “With numerous government jobs on the chopping block and possible recession on the horizon, people are contemplating their next moves,” he explains.
Geopolitical challenges and social activism have also nudged 2% of applicants toward legal studies. Spivey emphasizes that constant exposure to information via social media has heightened awareness of critical issues: “People are paying attention and seeking the qualifications to invoke change.”
Regional Applications and Demographics
The boost in applications is most pronounced in the Great Lakes region, which experienced a 29.4% increase, followed closely by the Northwest at 28.7% and New England at 28.1%. Overall, nearly all of the 197 ABA-accredited law schools reported increasing applications, with only five institutions seeing declines.
Demographically, male applicants grew by 20.5%, while female applicants increased by 18.9%. The number of individuals identifying as non-binary or not stating a gender surged by 32.2%. Notably, the number of African-American applicants rose significantly, with a 25.8% increase.
No Chilling Effect from Affirmative Action Ruling
Despite earlier concerns about a potential chilling effect following the affirmative action ruling, Krinsky reassures that applications have remained strong. “It appears that there has not been a chilling effect,” she notes, reflecting confidence in the trajectory of legal education seeking.
