First-generation law students study and work more hours, rack up more student debt

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Law Students First-generation law students study and work more hours, rack up more student debt

By Debra Cassens Weiss

October 26, 2023, 3:37 pm CDT

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According to a new survey of more than 13,000 law students at 75 law schools, the average Law School Admission Test score was 154 for first-generation law students and 157 for non-first-generation law students. Image from Shutterstock.

First-generation law students with parents who never obtained a bachelor’s degree differ in some significant respects from classmates with at least one parent who completed a college degree, according to a new survey of more than 13,000 law students at 75 law schools.

First-generation law students spend more hours per week working and studying, are more likely to care for a dependent, and are more likely to graduate with more than $120,000 in student debt, according to the Law School Survey of Student Engagement.

A press release summarizes the findings, and Reuters has coverage.

The survey found:

  • 35% of first-generation law students expect to graduate with more than $120,000 in student debt, compared to 23% of non-first-generation law students.

  • 44% of first-generation law students care for dependents, compared to 33% of non-first-generation law students.

  • First-year first-generation law students spend an average of 32 hours per week studying and seven hours per week working, compared to 31 hours per week studying and five hours per week working for non-first-generation 1Ls.

  • 37% of first-generation law students report that they never participate in law school-sponsored activities, compared to 31% of non-first-generation law students.

  • 36% of first-generation law students plan to be or are already a current editor of a law journal, compared to 44% of non-first-generation law students.

  • The average Law School Admission Test score was 154 for first-generation law students and 157 for non-first-generation law students.

  • First-generation law students report having a grade B average, compared to a grade B-plus average for non-first-generation law students.

The survey was conducted by Indiana University’s Center for Postsecondary Research.

See also:

“Race, ethnicity, parents’ education level produce differing job outcomes for class of 2022 law grads”

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