Using Research Insights from Aspiring Students to Strengthen Legal Pathway Programs
The changing landscape of legal education and how individuals experience it requires consistent reflection and evolving interventions. Largescale, equity-centered research is pivotal to understanding the experiences of law school prospects. We must continually challenge our assumptions based on the latest insight from test takers and law students – even if we feel those assumptions have worked in the past.
The recently published LSAC Knowledge Report, based on input from more than 17,000 prospective law students, provides deep insights into the experiences, challenges, and barriers individuals encounter along their journeys. This research underscores the need for coordinated and persistent efforts to understand and address the specific needs of today’s aspiring lawyers.
These insights are reflected in our recent evolution of LSAC’s long-standing PLUS pathway program to better meet the needs of today’s law school prospects. Our new approach, Plus, Guided Journey, was designed specifically to address the barriers faced by individuals over the course of the year in which they prepare and submit their law school applications. Our 14-month program guides scholars as they embark on their law school application journey, providing them with resources and information at each point in the process when it is most helpful and relevant. Law school professionals across the country serve as instructors, and scholars are guided within their journey with up-to-date information and best practices that they can evaluate and make their own.
The knowledge report emphasizes the persistent barriers to accessing legal education despite early exposure to the profession. It also highlights the many barriers experienced by individuals when pursuing their law school goals — from identifying target law schools to cost and understanding financial aid. To help prospective students address these potential barriers, we redesigned Plus, Guided Journey to provide clear and deeper resources continuously along the application journey so they can focus their energy on taking their next step.
Everyone experiences the law school admission process differently. We know that this pursuit is sometimes defiant and is always brave and worth celebrating. Plus, Guided Journey celebrates the journey and focuses on the unique experiences of individuals as they pursue this impactful profession. We celebrate each step of the journey, and acknowledge each step taken. This furthers the sense of community and increases visibility.
The LSAC Knowledge Report reflects important changes in how prospective law students experience belonging and inclusion along their journey. Candidate reflections on how they experience themselves perceived by others underscores the role of community in the journey. Plus was redesigned to put even more emphasis on the creation of a durable and supportive community for program participants. Our scholars engage in deep personal reflection and community building. This is both true among the 400+ scholars and with the professionals from more than 30 law schools delivering content weekly.
Our scholars’ journey begins long before applying to Plus, and each scholar has worked hard to identify resources and opportunities along the way. The LSAC Knowledge Report shows us the need for collective efforts along the pathway to law and highlights the persistent challenges and barriers that can be best addressed through coordinated and persistent efforts. This research can provide insights and guidance for other pathway programs and for law schools, as we work to support aspiring students with the goal of creating an even more inclusive and effective legal profession.
Laura Fonseca is senior director of DEI programs and initiatives at LSAC. Through this role, Fonseca engages with internal and external constituents to develop and support efforts that increase access and equity along the legal education journey.