Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)
Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 917.822.8190
Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanLSATPrep
New York, NY (July 28, 2020) — Despite COVID-19’s role as the ultimate disruptor across the entire U.S. education sector, a new Kaplan survey of law schools nationwide finds stability on the admissions landscape*. More than half (52 percent) of admissions officers surveyed say they believe their entering class size for fall 2020 will be about the same as their fall 2019 entering class size; 26 percent say it will be larger; and 22 percent say it will be smaller.
This view comes after there was initial unease among law schools about the upcoming academic year, with several administrations of the LSAT® being cancelled for health reasons. This was followed by the news that an at-home version of the LSAT would take its place temporarily, which allows students whose tests were cancelled to stick with their application plans. As recently as June, law school applications were down 2.5 percent from the same time last year, but more recent data shows applications up nearly 1 percent.
But a small increase in applications, the introduction of LSAT-Flex and the struggling economy aren’t the only factors that have convinced law schools that they will see a solid class size for 2020, the survey suggests. Two thirds (67 percent) of survey respondents say they have made their admissions requirements more flexible, which could entice fence-sitters. According to the admissions officers who answered the survey, this includes everything from extending application deadlines, to relaxing deposit requirements, to allowing prospective students to apply using their unofficial LSAT scores. But one area where law schools remain rigid, according to the survey: the standardized test requirement. All but one school surveyed say they are unlikely to allow applicants to waive submitting LSAT or GRE® scores.
The survey also finds that the upcoming 2020-2021 application cycle may be among the most competitive in years: many seats for next year may already be filled before new applicants even submit their paperwork because of deferments. But should they defer? Many admissions officers advise against it, with one saying, “As the American economy is placed on hold for an indeterminate amount of time, now is the best time to begin your legal education so that when the economy returns, you’ll be ready to dive in…While this will not be the typical law school experience, it will not be a substandard one.” In addition to competition for seats, signs point to fewer scholarships due to declining revenues for some schools. Another admissions officer shared, “I would counsel prospective students to consider what they would be doing instead of enrolling in law school. If they do not have alternative plans that would allow them to fill their time productively, they might want to proceed with their law school enrollment. I also believe competition will be stiffer next year and budgets will decrease, so applicants can expect admissions rates and scholarship offers to decrease.”
“While this has arguably been the most unusual law school admissions cycle in decades, the stability, in terms of just the numbers, is remarkable. If you look at an application increase of just under 1 percent, the casual observer might think that things were business as usual, but behind the scenes there has been a lot going on to ensure a seamless process during unpredictable times, from the rollout of the first at-home version of the LSAT to extended application deadlines. This has made a stressful situation for prospective students more manageable,” said Jeff Thomas, executive director of legal programs, Kaplan. “If you are an accepted applicant still deliberating about what to do, our advice is to consider the long term. While the COVID-19 crisis is likely to continue for at least the rest of the year, your future legal career is something that will last for many decades. Also listen to what admissions officers are telling us. Next cycle might be more competitive and budget shortfalls may make financial aid less available. Overall, this may be a more advantageous year to enroll.”
For more information about the Kaplan survey, contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 917.822.8190.
*Based on the results of a Kaplan e-survey conducted between June 2020 and July 2020 of 94 American Bar Association-accredited law schools. Among the 94 law schools surveyed are 16 of the top 25, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
All test names are registered trademarks of their respective owners. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with Kaplan or this survey.
About Kaplan
Kaplan provides individuals, universities, and businesses a broad array of educational services, including higher and professional education, test preparation, language training, corporate and leadership training, and student recruitment, online enablement and other university support services. With operations in nearly 30 countries, Kaplan serves nearly 1.1 million students each year and has partnerships with 2,000-plus universities, colleges, and schools/school districts, and more than 4,000 businesses globally. Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). For more information, please visit www.kaplan.com.
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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)
Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 917.822.8190
Twitter: @KapTestNews
New York, NY (July 22, 2020) — Boost by Kaplan, an innovative online booster program designed to provide pre-college age students with an invaluable career exploration experience to accelerate college and career readiness, has collaborated with Google to provide insights about what it’s like in the real world of work, the importance of high demand jobs and skill sets, and emerging trends in the technology industry. Kaplan’s Boost program will also teach students about the healthcare industry and business world.
Boost by Kaplan will give pre-college students the opportunity to engage with professionals as part of a 12-week online program of self-paced activities, live group sessions and 1:1 meetings with a mentor. Collaborating with Google will give Boost students valuable insights about what types of skills are needed to be successful in their careers and then engage in real-world experiential learning projects.
With data showing that only 35% of traditional college graduates feel higher education prepared them for the workforce, Boost by Kaplan seeks to close the gap between the college experience and career readiness by offering pre-college students the opportunity to explore different fields of study in high-growth career paths, interact with professionals in their areas of work interest and participate in work-integrated learning projects. The 20-hour weekly program allows for flexibility, and will offer a combination of live instruction, on demand sessions, customized study, work-life experience through projects, live interviews with professionals and ‘pulse checks’ as students’ interests evolve. Students will receive 1:1 mentoring with experienced Kaplan advisors dedicated to guiding students on their education and career paths as well as be part of a small cohort for networked learning and reflection.
“Given the nature of the rapidly transforming workforce landscape and the increasing costs of higher education, students and their families are carefully and cautiously assessing if they should enroll in college without knowing what field they want to work in or what they want to major in. More than ever, a sense of direction and purpose is needed at the outset, which is why we feel it is important to work with partners like Boost by Kaplan to create solutions for students to help get them ready for the first year of college and beyond,” said Maggie Johnson, vice president of education and university partners, Google.
“Google is one of the world’s most dynamic and attractive employers, and we are incredibly excited to partner with them to provide Boost students with firsthand insight into what it’s like to work at a world-class technology company,” said Megan O’Connor, entrepreneur-in-residence, Kaplan. “Pre-college students will get exposure to some of technology’s best and brightest to understand the professional landscape and the skills that are in high demand, so these students can better focus their studies and career ambitions to make the most out of their college experience.”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey finds that 43% of high school seniors who haven’t yet committed to a college are considering a gap year. Boost by Kaplan is intended to help these students make decisions on their next steps with greater confidence, from picking a major to choosing what courses of study may be the right fit to being prepared for what to do after earning a bachelor’s degree.
Boost by Kaplan has committed to awarding full tuition assistance to 20 percent of its students who demonstrate financial need, in an effort to create opportunities for those who want to explore their future education and the world of work, without financial barriers. Boost will also provide a partnership option for universities interested in offering such a program to their students deferring admission.
The first Boost cohort will run online from September 14-December 11, 2020. The spring cohort will begin in January. For more information, go to www.boostbykaplan.com.
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. provides individuals, educational Institutions, and businesses a broad array of educational services, including higher and professional education, test preparation, language training, corporate and leadership training, and student recruitment, online enablement and other university support services. Across its 80-plus year history, first as a small test-prep pioneer and then an early online education leader and now a global education provider, Kaplan has been recognized for expanding educational access and using technology and learning science innovations to continually improve outcomes for its students and partners. With operations in nearly 30 countries, today Kaplan has relationships and partnerships with 2,000-plus universities, colleges, schools and school districts, and more than 4,000 corporations and businesses globally. Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). For more information, please visit www.kaplan.com.
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