Pre-law Students, Be Encouraged!
Photo taken by Amaya Leiby at George Mason’s Law School.
A Juris Education study reveals that California LSAT-takers rank top-six in the country!
For many ambitious students, approaching the turn of another calendar year means that the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is one semester closer. No matter the point one may be at in their LSAT journey, from researching test preparation to registering for the test, the experience is no doubt a stressful one. A mere three to four years after sitting for the SAT and applying to universities, those on a pre-law track are again tasked with the application process, but this time, for law school. Some professors and professionals in the field advise a gap year, enabling students to focus all their efforts on studying for the LSAT, while others say that going straight into law school was the best decision they ever made. Though students’ pathways to law school are unique, one thing they most all have in common is the LSAT. Daunting in its prestige and a mountain of studying to be scaled in theory, the test plagues the minds of pre-law students across the country. However, to my fellow pre-law students, this article is not another debby-downer. Instead, let it offer you a note of encouragement, as a recent student by Juris Education demonstrates that California test-takers rank top-six in the nation.
For those not on a pre-law track, this information may seem futile. However, regardless of one’s academic and professional aspirations, these statistics surrounding the success of students in California on the LSAT demonstrate how well universities in the state are preparing students for success beyond university. That said, to truly appreciate this study, one must understand how rigorous and challenging the LSAT truly is. LSAT stands for “Law School Admission Test.” According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), “The LSAT is a standardized test that measures your ability to reason and analyze legal issues. It is used by law schools to evaluate your readiness for law school…” Also according to the LSAC, the test provides a way for schools to identify highly qualified candidates and is the best single predictor of law school success. The test is comprised of four sections of multiple-choice questions, each allotted 35 minutes. Three of these sections are scored, while the fourth is used to evaluate new test questions. The test is scored on a range of 120-180, with the national average being 152-153. Last but not least, the Argumentative Writing section is administered separately from the multiple choice section and copies of what the student writes are sent to all law schools where the student applies.
Certainly, a brutal test to take due to its highly regarded stature and pressures of the legal world, the LSAT can motivate pre-law students either to reach higher or deter them from applying altogether. That said, Juris Education’s study, Mapping the LSAT: Which States Are the Best at the LSAT?, provides a beacon of hope for students in California and the other top-six ranking states. Though California falls just shy of the top-five highest-ranking states, the study provides insight into the relationship between prominent law schools in a state and how the state’s pre-law students do on the LSAT. According to the study: “California, the state with the most test-takers, ranks sixth with an average LSAT score of 158.9. It boasts legal heavyweights like Stanford Law, UC Berkeley Law, Cornell Law, and UCLA Law. Over 11% of California test-takers scored in the 170 and above range.”
Based on this bird’s-eye view of the relationship between higher LSAT scores and the presence of elite law schools, top-14 in rankings (T14) in California, as well as other states including Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, Illinois, and North Carolina, the study concludes that “roughly half of the T14 states showcase the highest LSAT scores, while the other half do not.” Therefore, “while T14 law schools can elevate a state’s average LSAT scores, numerous other factors are at play, including the size and diversity of the applicant pool, the presence of regional law schools, and the legal market’s demands.” Again this is encouraging to students on the pre-law track; while the LSAT may seem daunting, it is by no means the only thing that matters when applying to law school. And for those in California, the presence of the state’s renowned T14 schools may also be an aiding factor.
While the LSAT may not be the only determining factor in law school admissions, it is most definitely a crucial factor in applying to other law school programming. On this topic, Calandra Almond, author of the Juris Education Study, Harvard University graduate, and Harvard Law School graduate, says, "Accelerated JD programs attract ambitious students who are eager to begin their legal careers while also reducing tuition costs. Some programs consider SAT or ACT scores for admission, while others, like the Accelerated Honors JD Program program at Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Stockton, California, require a competitive LSAT score." However, accelerated Juris Doctorate (JD) programs are not the only way a competitive LSAT score can help a law school student save money, as many law schools also offer scholarships to students with higher test scores.
All in all, the LSAT is important as it impacts where pre-law students get accepted to law school and may affect their eligibility for certain honors programs or scholarships. However, to the many students looking to take the LSAT in 2025, be encouraged in your pursuit of excellence and admission to the legal profession. Your background as a student at one of California’s many renowned institutions will only help you on your journey, and on average, California LSAT test takers rank top-six in the country, so do not fret as you take the next step on your law school journey.
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