Law School Admissions Brace for Another Competitive Cycle Fueled by Politics: A Kaplan Survey

10/08/2025 – 08:55 AM

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The surge in law school applications, which saw a nearly 20% jump in the last application cycle, is showing no signs of slowing down, according to a recent survey conducted by Kaplan, a global education services company. The survey of law school admissions officers indicates that the competition for entry into law schools will remain fierce, with a combined 90% of respondents anticipating the 2025-2026 application cycle to be at least as competitive as the 2024-2025 cycle. Within that group, 13% predict it will be “much more competitive,” 35% foresee it being “somewhat more competitive,” and 42% expect the level of competitiveness to remain “about the same.”

The application boom reflects several underlying trends. Kaplan’s survey reveals that 7% of respondents believe the current political climate in the U.S. is the primary driver behind the increased interest in law school, with an additional 49% citing it as a major factor. Another 38% see the political climate as a moderate influence. This suggests a growing conviction among prospective students that a legal education can be a pathway to engaging with critical societal issues.

Admissions officers shared insights into the implications of this increased competition:

• “The increased competitiveness is a double-edged sword as it should increase the talent level for the legal community at the expense of excluding many candidates who would have been excellent contributors to the field.”

• “The current political and economic climate has made law school increasingly attractive for a wide range of applicants. Legal issues, particularly in areas like constitutional law, civil rights, and the role of the courts, are at the forefront of national conversation, prompting many to see a law degree as a way to engage meaningfully with pressing societal questions.”

• “I think the profession suffers if law schools get greedy and bring in significantly larger classes than the market can feasibly support down the road, as we saw in 2009-2011, but that may not have recurred to the same degree this past year.”

Krystin Major, director of LSAT programs at Kaplan, notes the significant increase in students preparing for the LSAT, signaling sustained high application numbers. “Given the intensity of today’s political climate, we believe politics will continue to exert a strong influence on applicant trends.” However, she cautions prospective students to consider the long-term commitment required by a legal career. “We remind prospective law students that the primary reason to pursue a J.D. should be to practice law—and not just for the next four years, but for the next 40. We encourage every potential applicant to be introspective and make that decision with purpose. A career in law can be both rewarding and fulfilling, but it requires thinking not only about the present moment, but about the long road ahead.”

The intense competition for law school admission raises questions about the legal profession’s long-term capacity. While increased talent within law schools benefits the legal sector, questions around how that plays into future job demand arise. Some critics are raising concerns about the ability of the market to absorb all the new graduates, which could lead to increased strain on the profession.

*The Kaplan survey polled admissions officers from 82 of the 197 American Bar Association-accredited law schools between July and August 2025. The participating schools included 23 of the top 50, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

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About Kaplan

Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company dedicated to advancing the goals of individuals and institutions in a rapidly evolving world. With a diverse range of solutions, Kaplan supports students and professionals in furthering their education and careers, assists universities and educational institutions in attracting and supporting students, and enables businesses to optimize employee recruitment, retention, and development. Kaplan serves approximately 1.3 million students and professionals, 16,000 corporate clients, and 2,700 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). For more information, please visit kaplan.com.

Source: Kaplan, Inc.