Law school applications are surging once again. During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, applications initially jumped 26% from the previous year and ultimately finished 18% higher overall. Now, applications are already up 33% in the 2025–2026 cycle, with LSAT registrations rising 22%. All of this begs the question: Is this the 2025 law school admissions cycle the most competitive cycle ever?
The Verdict is Still Out
Although the spike in law school applications is certainly substantial, it’s still early in the 2025 law school admissions cycle. At this stage, only about 15% of applicants have typically submitted their materials, so this initial surge shouldn’t be seen as determinative for the cycle as a whole. Still, it signals that law school admissions remain among the most competitive in recent history, as more students consider pursuing a legal education. But what’s driving this continued surge in applicants?
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Factors Driving the Increase in Applications
Though this list is by no means exhaustive, here are a few possible reasons behind the continued rise in law school applications:
- Political Climate: From immigration to international issues, people are more tuned in to law and politics than ever, thanks to platforms like TikTok and Reddit. Many potential applicants see a law degree as a way to get involved, make an impact, and advocate for underrepresented communities.
- Weak Job Market for College Graduates: Recent data highlights the challenging 2025 job market for recent college graduates, with a 5.3% average unemployment rate and 41% of graduates underemployed. By contrast, the legal job market remains strong, with over 93% of 2024 law school graduates securing employment within 10 months of graduation.
- Reapplicants: As noted earlier, the previous admissions cycle was the most competitive in recent history. Many applicants underperformed relative to their LSAT scores and GPAs, which means a significant number of reapplicants could be contributing to the early surge in applications this cycle.
- Changes to the LSAT: The 2024 LSAT revisions, which removed the Logic Games section, continue to influence the applicant pool. By lowering the barrier to entry for some test-takers and encouraging others to take the exam before the changes, these adjustments may be driving an increase in applicants now.
How to Stand Out in a Competitive Cycle
Even if this initial spike doesn’t hold, the 2025-2026 law school admissions cycle is shaping up to be incredibly competitive. So how can you stand out?
- Telling your Story: With so many applicants, law schools are looking beyond test scores and GPAs to find students who align with their culture and goals. Take the time to craft a compelling narrative that explains why you are passionate about a legal education and why a particular law school is the perfect fit for you.
- Work Experience: Whether during school or after graduation, admissions committees value meaningful work experience. Law school rankings emphasize post-graduation outcomes, so showing that you’re employable is key. This is especially important now, as some big law firms have begun recruiting as early as the first semester of your 1L year.
- Crushing the LSAT: While holistic admissions is vital to the process, the LSAT remains the single most important way to set yourself apart. A high LSAT score could be the difference between an acceptance and a waitlist spot.
Further Reading
📝 Building Your Law School Application: The Personal Statement
📋 Your Law School Application Resume vs. A Job Search Resume
Final Reflections
Is this the most competitive law school admissions cycle ever? Maybe, but it’s too early to tell. What we do know is we are seeing more applicants and applications being submitted earlier this year, with more applicants leveraging higher LSAT scores. However, with the right preparation and strategy, you can succeed no matter the odds!
Law school admissions committees review your application holistically, but a competitive LSAT score will help you stand out from the rest! Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or 170+ Course, or even private LSAT tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.
When you’re ready to apply, our Law School Admissions Consultants are here to help you build a strong application that powerfully highlights your unique strengths and enables you to secure that acceptance!