Law School Applicants Remain Bullish Despite Tight Job Market

A survey by law school admissions consulting firm Veritas Prep showed that 81 percent of law school applicants would still apply even if a significant number of graduates were unable to find jobs in their desired field. The results provide interesting insight at a time when law school rankings and reported career placement data are coming under increased scrutiny.

About 12 percent of respondents said they would postpone applying until placement rates improved and 4 percent said they would not apply to law school.

Other notable findings from the survey:

–44 percent of respondents said a reasonable desired base salary upon graduation to be $75,000-$100,000; 29 percent expect $100,000-$145,000; and 11 percent anticipate base salaries over $145,000.

–Location was the most important factor in selecting a law school among 69 percent of applicants. Career placement rates was important to 62 percent; and, perhaps most interestingly, 37 percent of respondents indicated that prestige and ranking was not important.

–Affordability was important to 54 percent of respondents and only 37 percent anticipate having law school debt of over $100,000.

The survey was conducted in conjunction with Law School Podcaster and Pre-Law Magazine. Research was conducted in June and July of this year.