The majority of pre-law students, 58 percent, say that it's important to them to attend a law school where students share their political and social views, according to recent Kaplan Survey results. About one-third of respondents, 36 percent, said this was “not important.” Just six percent responded that they “weren’t sure.”
Explaining their perspectives to Kaplan, students who noted political fit’s importance made the following comments:
“I want to feel free to express my opinions without the fear of a backlash.”
“Even though it is important to dissent with respect and grow with people with opposing views, I consider that in this day and age it’s very difficult to survive in hostile environments.”
“Before the end of affirmative action, this was not as heavy of a concern. Now, I fear for a lack of community and support should I attend a school that does not value diversity and inclusion highly.”
Students who responded that political fit was not important were more likely to feel that political discourse and disagreement provided a richer learning environment. “I’d rather attend a law school with a range of political ideologies. I think it’s important to discuss differing beliefs and learn to respect everyone’s opinions,” one survey participant said.
Notably, Kaplan fielded the survey prior to the October 7th attacks on Israel by Hamas. Kaplan’s Executive Director of Government and Legal Programs, Amit Schlesinger, speculates that if the survey had taken place post-October 7th, and amidst the ensuing tension on campuses nation-wide, the percentage of students calling political fit important would have been significantly higher.
To get to know better the programs you’re considering, we recommend the following:
Visit the school. If at all possible, meet with faculty and students. Sit in on a class discussion. Observe an extracurricular group meeting. Attend a social event if you’re able. This will help you to get a full view of what your life could look like as a student there.
Use social media. Follow the school on social media, as well as various student run clubs/affinity groups and/or the school paper. You will learn a lot about the perspectives and discourse that you’ll experience as part of the student body. Reading comments beneath posts will also provide you with insight on how students engage with each other and the posted content.
Reach out to current students and alumni in your network. If you’re not able to visit the campus, it may still be possible for you to set up meeting(s) with students and alumni who live near you or via zoom to hear about their experiences and get useful insight into the school’s culture.
