According to the survey, 52 percent of the 330 pre-law respondents reported being “very confident’ they will find a job in the legal field after graduating law school and passing the bar, but only 16 percent said they were “very confident” that the majority of their classmates will do the same. Additionally, only 7 percent of respondents indicated a lack of confidence in their own ability to secure employment upon graduation.
The survey notes that attitudes of pre-law students are in line with research that shows students are more optimistic about their economic future, even with the sluggish job market, than past generations.
“Pre-law students’ confidence in their own job prospects are likely an indication not just of self-assurance, but of their optimism in an economic turnaround,” said Jeff Thomas, director of pre-law programs for Kaplan Test and Admissions. “What’s interesting is the drop-off in confidence in their peers, which perhaps may just be an indication of the general competitive atmosphere that exists between pre-law students.”
In other survey findings:
– 39 percent of respondents said the economic downturn impacted their decisions to apply to law school
– Only 5 percent said they think it is a smart admissions strategy to send a Facebook friend request to law school admissions officers.
– And, if given the choice of submitting as part of their law school application a perfect 180 on the LSAT, a perfect 4.0 GPA or a letter of recommendation from a Supreme Court Justice, 80 percent would opt for a perfect LSAT score.
Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions is a provider of educational and career services for individuals, school s and businesses. It was established in 1938.