Freshmen Aspirations and Application to Law School

• In Event: Characteristics of Students in Professional Education Programs

Abstract

This study examines a longitudinal data set combining law school admission data and data on students’ backgrounds, attitudes and goals. Law School Admission Council data were combined with data from The Freshman Survey available through UCLA’s Cooperative Institutional Research Program. Analyses of background variables examined subgroup differences by race/ethnicity, gender and interest in law as a freshman. Although demographic differences were found, one-third of law school applicants expressed interest in law as freshmen. Contrasting lower socioeconomic backgrounds and high school grades, under-represented minority applicants were more focused on their career plans and expressed higher self-ratings on drive to achieve. Grades and standardized test scores were the strongest predictors in deciding to apply to law school and being admitted.

Authors

• Ann Gallagher, Law School Admission Council

• Philip G. Handwerk, Law School Admission Council

• Linda Deangelo, University of Pittsburgh