What in the world is going on with law school admissions?

Law school admissions are always tough, but the 2025 cycle has taken things to a new level. Even applicants with near-perfect stats (think 180 LSAT scores and 4.0 GPAs) are finding themselves waitlisted at top schools. What’s behind this surge in competition?

Application Volume Has Skyrocketed

The biggest driver is simple: there are about 20% more applicants this year than last. That’s the largest year-over-year increase we’ve seen in a very long time. With more people applying—many of them highly qualified—schools are dealing with an unprecedented volume of strong applications.

LSAT Scores Are Shifting Upward

In addition to more applicants, LSAT scores are climbing. For decades, a 170 LSAT score placed you in the 97.5th percentile. Now, it takes a 172. The median LSAT score overall has shifted from 151 to 153, and that increase is especially pronounced at the top:

• Scores in the 170–174 range are up 33%

• Scores of 175+ are up 39%

This means not only are more people applying, but a larger share of them are scoring in the very top percentiles—putting extra pressure on admissions at the most selective schools.

The Political Climate

Election years often see increased interest in law school, but 2024 is shaping up to be particularly intense. With political engagement at a high and the possibility of cuts to the federal workforce, more people with real-world experience—especially from policy or legal-adjacent fields—are pivoting into law. That adds another layer of competitiveness to an already stacked applicant pool.

The End of Logic Games

Another important shift: the removal of the Logic Games section from the LSAT. For years, Logic Games were the most polarizing part of the test—some students either avoided the LSAT entirely or performed poorly because of it. With that section now gone, a new wave of test-takers who were previously discouraged by Logic Games are jumping into the pool.

What You Can Do About It

There are no indications that the 2026 cycle will be any less competitive than 2025. If you’re applying next cycle, the takeaway is clear: start studying earlier, apply earlier, and give yourself every possible edge.

The good news is that the LSAT is still a very learnable test. It just takes more work to stand out now. Make sure you give yourself at least 6 months to study, apply as close to September as possible, and focus on writing essays that will set you apart in an increasingly crowded pool.

At Apollo Test Prep, we’ll help you get the LSAT score and craft the application narrative you need to rise above the competition and land a spot at your dream school. Book a call below—we’d love to help you build a plan that gives you confidence, clarity, and a roadmap to success.