Another T14 Law School Decides The GRE Is Good Enough For Them
The LSAT is not quite as important as it once was.
Welcome to GRE country, NYU!
It was only a few short months ago (in February, to be exact) that the prestigious law school was undertaking a validity study to see whether they’d be willing to accept the GRE in lieu of the traditional law school entrance exam, the LSAT, for admission. It seems they are ready to move forward in the process, and they’ve announced they will accept the GRE for the incoming class of 2019.
The move is part of a larger effort across legal academia to encourage more students with diverse educational backgrounds — particularly STEM — to consider attending law school. As NYU Law’s Assistant Dean for Admissions, Cassandra Williams, noted:
Happy Lawyers, Better Results The Key To Thriving In Tough Times
“We are always looking for ways to broaden our pool of prospective students, and by accepting GRE scores we hope to encourage applications from individuals with more-diverse academic backgrounds, including in science, technology, engineering, and math.”
NYU becomes the 22nd law school to accept the GRE for admissions. Harvard, Columbia, St. John’s, Brooklyn, Northwestern, Arizona, Georgetown, Hawaii, Washington University in St. Louis, Wake Forest, Cardozo School of Law, Texas A&M, BYU, John Marshall Law School, Florida State, Pace, UCLA, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Penn, USC, and Cornell allow applicants to take the GRE. (University of Chicago and University of Georgia both allow candidates in dual degree programs to skip the LSAT). And we are only likely to see more law school get on board with an alternative standardized test for admissions — according to a Kaplan survey, a full 25 percent of law schools have plans in the works to accept the GRE.
Amid this changing landscape the American Bar Association, the body responsible for law school accreditation, hasn’t officially weighed in on using anything other than the LSAT in admissions. ABA Standard 503 currently requires law schools requires admissions tests and that the test be “valid and reliable.” There’s been no official word from the accreditation body that any exam, save the LSAT, meets that standard.
However, things just might be about to change. In April, an ABA committee recommended eliminating the accreditation standard that mandates law schools use a standardized test in admissions. The change is making its way through the ABA’s bureaucratic process, and still must be adopted by the ABA House of Delegates before it’s official. But don’t get too excited, even if the ABA doesn’t require testing, most law schools are likely to keep a standardized test as an important part of its admissions process.
Sponsored
Law Firm Business Development Is More Than Relationship Building
AI Presents Both Opportunities And Risks For Lawyers. Are You Prepared?
Curbing Client And Talent Loss With Productivity Tech
AI Presents Both Opportunities And Risks For Lawyers. Are You Prepared?
But the LSAT remains an important brand in the world of legal academia. A recent Kaplan survey found 73 percent of applicants would still take the LSAT, even if it wasn’t required. A strong LSAT score is still the surest way to get into the law school of your dreams.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).
Sponsored
Happy Lawyers, Better Results The Key To Thriving In Tough Times
