What is a traditional student?

The most recent group of law school applicants was diverse in terms of age, background, and experiences. Most law school applicants are not in the 22 year old or younger age group.

More typical is the applicant who is older and who has been away from school for at least one year. Many first year law students are seeking career changes or second careers.

Here are some specific figures illustrating the difficulties of characterizing law school applicants in "traditional" or "nontraditional" terms:

• 27% of law school applicants are 22 years old or younger.
• 34% of law school applicants are between the ages of 23 and 25.
• 21% of law school applicants are between the ages of 26 and 30.
• 9% of law school applicants are 36 years old or older.
• 50.2% of law school applicants are women.

  Source: Law School Admission Council(LSAC)

Your pre-law advisor can provide you with handouts and suggested readings on nontraditional, working, older, and/or second career applicants and legal education.