In a transformative shift, an increasing number of law schools are breaking free from the conventional Law School Admission Test (LSAT) as part of innovative admissions strategies. Georgetown University Law Center and Washburn University School of Law recently secured approval from the American Bar Association (ABA) to admit students without mandating LSAT scores. Additionally, the ABA granted 14 more law schools the green light to implement the JD-Next program, an unconventional eight-week series of online legal courses culminating in a unique exam.
This groundbreaking approach comes at a time when college admissions are grappling with uncertainty surrounding the LSAT. The ABA, in 2022, aimed to eliminate its longstanding requirement for law schools to use the LSAT in admissions. However, the initiative was temporarily halted in May due to concerns from legal educators, who feared it might pave the way for admitting students unlikely to succeed in both graduation and the bar exam.
The landscape of college admissions further shifted with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision to ban race-conscious admissions. This compelled law schools to reconsider strategies for building diverse student bodies without considering race. Administrators championing LSAT alternatives assert that these initiatives aim to identify promising law students hindered by traditional testing methods and attract a more diverse applicant pool. Critics argue that the LSAT is a barrier for aspiring minority lawyers, citing score disparities among different racial groups. A 2019 study revealed an average LSAT score of 142 for Black test-takers, compared to 153 for white and Asian test-takers.
The Law School Admission Council, responsible for the LSAT, maintains that its exam remains the most accurate predictor of law school performance. However, the evolving landscape prompted institutions like Georgetown to explore alternative admissions criteria. Georgetown plans to admit up to 10 students into its part-time evening program without standardized test scores. Dean of Admissions Andy Cornblatt emphasizes a focus on life and work experience for admissions decisions, particularly for non-traditional part-time applicants.
Washburn Law’s unique approach is limited to their undergraduates meeting specific GPA criteria, guaranteeing admission without considering LSAT scores. Although students must still take the LSAT, the scores will only factor into merit aid decisions, alleviating pressure during the admissions process.
As the legal education landscape undergoes a paradigm shift, schools such as Boston College Law School, Emory University School of Law, and George Washington University Law School have also embraced the JD-Next program, highlighting a broader trend away from traditional admissions criteria.
The reimagining of law school admissions showcases a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity while challenging the conventional norms in legal education. The evolving strategies aim to identify and welcome prospective law students from diverse backgrounds who may have been overlooked by traditional admissions processes.
