Kaplan Survey, Political Climate and 2024 Election Results Are Driving Law School Applicant Surge:
New survey results from global educational services provider Kaplan confirms what others have hypothesized about over the past few months: Politics is indeed playing a role in this year’s 20 percent increase in law school applicants, reminiscent of the big applicant boost in the aftermath of the 2016 election. Among the more than 300 pre-law students Kaplan surveyed, 53 percent say the current domestic political climate impacted their decision to apply. And in a separate survey question, 42 percent of pre-law students specifically said the results of the 2024 presidential election factored into their decision to pursue law school. …
Amit Schlesinger, Kaplan’s executive director of legal and government programs, says:
“We know there’s a surge in law school applications—and our survey helps explain why, pointing to today’s charged political climate and 2024 election as key motivators. Many aspiring lawyers aren’t just thinking about practicing law—they’re thinking about shaping policy, driving systemic change, and even running for office. It’s a pattern we saw after the 2016 election, and it’s repeating now.
- ABA Journal, Political Climate Motivates Prelaw Students to Apply, New Kaplan Survey Shows
- Law.com, Political Climate, Trump’s Election Behind Surge in Law School Applications
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