A new LSAC study of over 15,000 test takers (from August 2024 to August 2025) provides insights into why prospective students pursue a legal education. The report focuses on: (1) when test takers first thought about going to law school; (2) what motivates test takers to pursue law school; (3) what are test takers’ plans for the application cycle, including who they plan to turn to for support and when they plan to submit applications; and (4) what are test takers’ anticipated barriers to attending law school. Additional coverage can be found in the ABA Journal:

“The LSAC’s Post-LSAT Questionnaire, based on data collected from more than 15,000 test-takers between August 2024 and April 2025, shows that the top two reasons for going to law school are altruistic. Nearly half, or 49%, stated that their motivation was to “help others,” up by about 20% compared to 2023-2024 test-takers, while 37% cited advocating for social justice, up by more than 30% compared to 2023-2024 test-takers, according to the report. Financial security came in third, with 34% saying it was the driving force, the study shows.”

Julianne Hill, Doing Good Motivates Aspiring Lawyers, New LSAC Study Finds, ABA Journal, October 29, 2025.