03/18/2025
Applications have seen an "unnatural" surge this year.
Is it the 'Franklin & Bash' effect? The staying power of 'Suits'? Whatever the reason, the number of people applying to the US's roughly 200 law schools are through the roof—up 20.5% over last year and 25.7% over 2023, the Wall Street Journal reports.
In total, roughly 63,000 applicants across the country have been recorded this year, according to the Law School Admission Council, already approaching last year's total of 64,912.
Two schools in particular are especially popular among the next generation of litigators: Georgetown Law has received 14,000 applications to fill just 650 spots, and the University of Michigan Law School has been flooded with the most applications in its 166-year history—up 30% and forcing admissions to sift through 8,900 applications for 320 spots.
Reasons other than the impact of Harvey Specter for the surge in law interest include a perception that legal work is more immune from encroaching AI, starting salaries of $225,000 at many firms, economic conditions, and the public’s heightened focus on legal issues.
📸 : 'Suits' / USA Network
