David H. Vernon

The Size and Quality of the Law School Applicant Pool: 1982-1986 and Beyond

Nationally, the size of the law school applicant pool has declined from 1982 to 1986,1 and the academic credentials (combined undergraduate GPAs and LSAT scores) of those in the applicant pool have decreased at a faster rate than the size of the pool itself.2 This article3 considers the educational tensions created by the different rates at which pool size, academic credentials, and enrollment have decreased over the five-year period.4 It goes on to analyze the potential future qualitative consequences of these trends.5 Finally, it offers a tentative forecast about the probable size and quality of the national applicant pool over the next few years.6