The Fall 2023 Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down 1.9%, As Law Schools May Reduce Enrollment Due To Dramatic Changes In U.S. News Rankings Methodology

We are now 100% of the way through Fall 2023 law school admissions season. The number of law school applicants reported by LSAC is down -1.9% compared to last year at this time:

122 of the 198 law schools are experiencing a decrease in applications. Applications are down -10% or more at 34 law schools:

Applicants are down the most in New England (-7.0%), Mountain West (-5.8%), and Far West (-5.7%); and are up in Other (+17.7%):

Applicants' LSAT scores are up +1.6% in the 170-180 band, down -4.0% in the 160-169 band, down -4.5% in the 150-159 band, and up +0.2% in the 120-149 band:

Caucasian|White applicants are down -4.5%; Puerto Rican applicants are down -4.4%; American Indian|Alaska Native applicants are down -0.8%; Black|African American applicants are down -0.8%; Hispanic|Latino applicants are up +0.3%; Hawaiian|Other Pacific Islander applicants are up +0.6%; Asian applicants are up +1.1%; and Not Indicated are up +7.3%:

Man applicants are down -4.3%; Woman applicants are down -0.7%; Gender Diverse applicants are up +8.3%; and Not Indicated applicants are up +10.0%:

First Generation College Student applicants are down -0.5%:

Prior TaxProf Blog coverage:

• Methodology Changes In The New 2024 U.S. News Law School Rankings
• Law Schools Should Rethink Admissions In Light Of The U.S. News Rankings Methodology Changes

• 14% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -14%, With Biggest Decline (-25%) Among The Top 160-180 LSAT Band
• 25% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -11%, With Biggest Decline (-21%) In The 165-169 LSAT Band
• 33% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -7.5%, With Biggest Decline (-14.4%) In The 165-169 LSAT Band
• 50% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -4%, With Biggest Decline (-9%) In The 160-169 LSAT Band
• 67% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -3.5%, With Biggest Decline (-7%) In The 165-169 LSAT Band
• 75% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -3%, With Biggest Decline (-7%) In The 165-169 LSAT Band
• 90% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -3.7%, With Biggest Decline (-8.0%) In The 150-154 LSAT Band