Kaplan Survey: Law Schools Concerned about Class Diversity, Amid Affirmative Action Ban Fallout

Results from Kaplan’s 2023 law school admissions officers find that last year’s Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in admissions is causing consternation about their ability to create a racially diverse student body*. The positive news though is that according to new data from the Law School Admission Council, the current national law school applicant pool includes more than 43 percent people of color — the highest percentage on record, although the cycle isn’t over yet. Among the findings from the Kaplan survey, which includes responses from 85 law schools:

How concerned are you that the Supreme Court’s decision to ban race-conscious admissions policies may impact your school's ability to create a racially diverse student body? (Numbers below reflect raw count of schools, not percentages)

• Very concerned: 18
• Somewhat concerned: 32
• Neutral: 8
• Somewhat unconcerned: 6
• Very unconcerned: 14
• Not sure/Don't know: 7

And what about the impact on diversity in law schools across the nation, as a whole? (Numbers below reflect raw count of schools, not percentages)

• Very concerned: 46
• Somewhat concerned: 28
• Neutral: 6
• Somewhat unconcerned: 0
• Very unconcerned: 2
• Not sure/Don't know: 3

While the Kaplan survey found that almost universally law schools say that diversity is important to administrators and students alike, one admissions officer who participated warned that the Court’s decision will have a “chilling effect on applications.”

"In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, Kaplan’s survey reveals that law schools are grappling with concerns about maintaining diverse student bodies, which is something many of them have long prioritized. However, the silver lining lies in the promising trend of an increasingly diverse applicant pool, which presents an opportunity to mitigate any challenges they may face in achieving a representative student body," said Amit Schlesinger, executive director of legal and government programs, Kaplan. “It’s also important to note that while law schools can no longer explicitly use race as a factor, we know that some law schools have broadened their personal statement criteria, which may give admissions officers a deeper understanding of prospective students’ backgrounds, while also remaining within the bounds of the Court’s ruling.”

Schlesinger points out that in 2023, law schools enrolled their most diverse matriculating classes on record, at 40 percent students of color, their third straight year of record diversity. “It’s unlikely this streak will continue given the Court’s decision, but law schools will likely do their best to stem the bleeding, while not violating the ruling.”

To speak with a Kaplan law school admissions expert, contact russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.

*Admissions officers from 85 of the nation’s 196 American Bar Association-accredited law schools were polled by e-mail and phone between August and November 2023. Among the 85 law schools that participated are 22 of the top 50, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

About Kaplan

Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retainment, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 26 countries continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 13,000 corporate clients, and 4,000 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com.

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Results from Kaplan’s 2023 law school admissions officers find that last year’s Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in admissions is causing consternation about their ability to create a racially diverse student body.