drop in law school apps

[jpal13]

Will the pretty steep drop in law school apps for 2011 effect admin chances positively? Of course competition at the top will always be intense, but even there I think there are 3,500-4,000 spots in the T14 and if only 150,000 or less (because of re-takers) take the LSAT that is really only 3,000-3,500 170+ and so these people might be able to get further up the rankings then they would have a few years back. Anyone agree/disagree?
Maybe I am just trying to encourage myself.

[curiouskitty21]

There definately will be a positive effect from the drop in applicants. Less competitions means bigger slices of bread and pieces of bakin to be divided up and taken home to mama. The law schools can do one of two things: decrease their class sizes or be more flexible with their standards. Since we live in a capitalis society where money is everything they will not decrease class sizes and lose revenue.

[hookem7]

Personally, I don't think the drop in apps will result in any dramatic difference. People who score 160+ are still just as likely to apply. I would just think that the drop is because those who didn't do so hot are changing their minds about law school being a good investment for them. Of course I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

[FantasticMrFox]

Personally, I don't think the drop in apps will result in any dramatic difference. People who score 160+ are still just as likely to apply. I would just think that the drop is because those who didn't do so hot are changing their minds about law school being a good investment for them. Of course I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

I think you are right; the whole scare about law schools being bad seems to actually scare more of the people who don't think they can get into top law schools than those who can.

[KevinP]

Although the drop in tests administered has been discussed here (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=170835), I'll go ahead and give my 2 cents.

Not sure why people think the decrease in test takers--and in turn applicants--would probably from those at the lower end. If anything, the data seems to suggest otherwise.

Applicants as of December 3rd:
Fall 2010 170+: 2479
Fall 2011 170+: 2296
Δ: -183
Δ%: -7.38%

June + October tests administered 2009-2010: 93341
June + October tests administered 2010-2011: 87318
Δ: -6023
Δ%: -6.45%

There was a larger drop in the percentage of delta 170+ applicants than there was in the percentage delta June + October tests administered.

*Only the June/October tests were chosen since the applicants were as of December 3rd. The number of applicants from the previous year(s) would probably be negligible.

Sources:
http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Data/ ... stered.asp
http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Publi ... EC2010.pdf (page 4)
http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Data/ ... ummary.asp

[breadbucket]

I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

Dear god

[hookem7]

I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

Dear god

[quote="breadbucket"]

I wish I was kidding but some people just can't be reasoned with.

[CanadianWolf]

OP: This is a good year to be applying to reach law schools.

[timbs4339]

Personally, I don't think the drop in apps will result in any dramatic difference. People who score 160+ are still just as likely to apply. I would just think that the drop is because those who didn't do so hot are changing their minds about law school being a good investment for them. Of course I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

I actually think it will have the opposite effect. People who score highly might be those with better options for other graduate study or higher-paying careers, both to ride out the economy and long-term. They also might be more likely to catch some of the logical inconsistencies with law school marketing materials (95% of our graduates are employed at graduation and our average starting salary among reporting graduates is 100K- what information do you need to evaluate this statement's truth? Hint: There is more than one wrong answer here.) They might also be more likely to research their decision thoroughly.

[gman1978]

I predict it helps, but for T14 I wouldn't the effect to be more than 1 point on the lsat and maybe .05 in gpa (in terms of what you need to get in).

[jpal13]

I think this should give hope, go on LSN to any T14 and compare 2010 to 2011, I think this is a good year for getting your reach.

[Campagnolo]

Although the drop in tests administered has been discussed here (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=170835), I'll go ahead and give my 2 cents.

Not sure why people think the decrease in test takers--and in turn applicants--would probably from those at the lower end. If anything, the data seems to suggest otherwise.

Applicants as of December 3rd:
Fall 2010 170+: 2479
Fall 2011 170+: 2296
Δ: -183
Δ%: -7.38%

June + October tests administered 2009-2010: 93341
June + October tests administered 2010-2011: 87318
Δ: -6023
Δ%: -6.45%

There was a larger drop in the percentage of delta 170+ applicants than there was in the percentage delta June + October tests administered.

*Only the June/October tests were chosen since the applicants were as of December 3rd. The number of applicants from the previous year(s) would probably be negligible.

Sources:
http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Data/ ... stered.asp
http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Publi ... EC2010.pdf (page 4)
http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Data/ ... ummary.asp

Just wanted to give major kudos for using actual sources and not pulling things out of your ass.

Okay, continue the discussion!

[MachineLemon]

I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

Dear god

This bank:

[Jah'rakal]

I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

Dear god

wat, plenty of 150's make good money after, especially if ur URM

[bk1]

I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

Dear god

wat, plenty of 150's make good money after, especially if ur URM

Yeah, but you know, most don't.

[jpal13]

I work with a lot of lawyers in my job, a pretty successful group, and when I look at their education it's not that impressive, you are what you make yourself

[wontpanic]

did those lawyers graduate 10+ years ago? Rankings and the LSAT weren't so important back then.
Also, I've been to two LS open houses where the adcoms have said that they will likely accept less apps this year because they got larger classes than expected the last two years.
So it all might balance itself out.

[jpal13]

did those lawyers graduate 10+ years ago? Rankings and the LSAT weren't so important back then.
Also, I've been to two LS open houses where the adcoms have said that they will likely accept less apps this year because they got larger classes than expected the last two years.
So it all might balance itself out.

I do agree with that

[WSJ_Law]

I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

Dear god

wat, plenty of 150's make good money after, especially if ur URM

Even 140s too

[breadbucket]

I also have friends that think their score in the 150s is the ticket to making bank, so I'm probably wrong.

Dear god

I wish I was kidding but some people just can't be reasoned with.

My schools MEDIAN is 146. The world is unfortunately filled with these people. Some people go to Southwestern, others count their losses and pack it in.

[rgucsb]

I wonder what this will mean for Transfer applications. Thoughts?

[Grizz]

I wonder what this will mean for Transfer applications. Thoughts?

Since it's based on your class rank, nothing.

[wontpanic]

I wonder what this will mean for Transfer applications. Thoughts?

For transfers its interesting because transfers don't get ranked. I read from the NYLS Dean interview (I know, I know) that top schools are being sneaky by accepting less candidates for 1L and then recruiting candidates as transfers. Loop hole!

[viacavour]

Even 140s too

Yeah people who got bad scores 10+ years ago then flooded the market which is why there is such a shortage of jobs now. Now you don't have a shot in hell at making money with 140s

I was at a pre-law event at my school and we were told that, based on the number of people who had taken the LSAT the previous year (which is apparently a good indicator?) they were expecting a slight dip in applicants this year.

They also said that they were expecting an increase in the quality of applicants - for the reasons already said ITT. People getting 150s aren't willing to risk it anymore so less un-qualified candidates are applying.

So yes - I think numerically less apps, but I'm not sure if that will equate to an easier cycle

[Tiago Splitter]

They also said that they were expecting an increase in the quality of applicants - for the reasons already said ITT. People getting 150s aren't willing to risk it anymore so less un-qualified candidates are applying.

Fewer.

People with crappy LSAT scores are also much more likely to buy into the BS that the schools spew. Conversely, people with high scores will likely be in a better position to choose alternative careers. Given this, it's entirely possible that the drop in applicants will be spread across the LSAT spectrum.