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How JD-Next Expands Your Law School Applicant Pool
JD-Next presents a proven framework for admissions, one that emphasizes accessibility and preparedness while preserving academic rigor. By focusing on skills directly relevant to legal education, JD-Next redefines how institutions can identify and nurture potential admissions candidates.
Attracting a Broader Range of Applicants
Law schools admit students from diverse academic backgrounds — from chemistry to literature and economics. However, unlike medical programs that require foundational courses or post-baccalaureate programs to ensure readiness, there is no standardized curriculum to prepare JD students for the rigors of legal education. As a result, many students enter law school without the case reading and analytical skills they will need from day one.
JD-Next bridges these gaps with a structured, fully online 8-week program designed to equip prospective law students with essential legal skills before they begin their studies. By emphasizing core competencies and skills such as case reading, analysis, and legal reasoning, JD-Next ensures that all applicants regardless of background, can start law school prepared and confident. This systematic approach not only creates a more level playing field but also expands access, encouraging candidates who might otherwise be deterred by the inequities of traditional preparation pathways.
Addressing Financial and Logistical Barriers
The entire JD-Next program, which includes an 8-week course, practice materials, and admissions test, is affordably priced. JD-Next further reduces financial barriers through scholarships, resulting in pricing that is only $399 for the fully online program.
The asynchronous JD-Next course is particularly advantageous for individuals who are balancing professional or personal commitments, offering flexibility without sacrificing depth of preparation. By including all necessary materials within the program’s structure, JD-Next eliminates additional costs often associated with traditional standardized test preparation, creating a more equitable path to legal education.
Cultivating Preparedness for Academic Success
Law schools seek candidates who not only exhibit potential but also are ready to excel in a rigorous academic environment. JD-Next directly addresses this need by equipping participants with foundational skills such as case analysis, legal reasoning, and writing case briefs — skills integral to law school success.
Unlike traditional admissions tests, which often focus on abstract reasoning, JD-Next prioritizes practical preparation. Preliminary data indicates that, on average, participants experience a 0.20-point increase in their first-year GPA, suggesting a tangible link between the program and academic performance. By emphasizing these competencies, JD-Next shifts the admissions process toward a model that values readiness alongside aptitude.
Enhancing Diversity and Representation in Law
Current ABA data shows that while Black people make up 13.4% of the U.S. population, only 8.3% of law school students are Black.
JD-Next offers an equitable alternative, emphasizing growth potential over accumulated test-taking skills. Studies show that the JD-Next exam predicts first-semester performance without replicating racial disparities seen in legacy exams. Advocacy groups like the California Association of Black Lawyers and the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) emphasize the potential of JD-Next to foster greater equity in the legal profession.
For law schools outside the Top 50, where traditional tests add less predictive value, JD-Next provides a distinct advantage, identifying capable students who might otherwise be overlooked. By reducing barriers and fostering equity for all, JD-Next promotes diverse classrooms that can enrich legal education and the profession.
Measuring Success and Building Momentum
JD-Next’s growing use by law schools, including prominent institutions such as Georgetown and Vanderbilt which have an ABA variance, underscores its acceptance as a credible and effective admissions tool. The program’s ability to predict academic performance with strong reliability has been a significant factor in its success.
Moreover, endorsements from organizations like the California Association of Black Lawyers and CLEO highlight the program’s role in advancing equity within legal education. By bridging gaps in preparation and offering admissions committees a nuanced understanding of candidates’ potential, JD-Next provides a robust framework for evaluating applicants.
Implications for the Future of Legal Education
JD-Next marks a transformative step in law school admissions, prioritizing preparedness, inclusivity, and equity over traditional standardized tests. By integrating JD-Next, law schools can better align their admissions practices with their goals of fostering diverse classrooms that reflect society and prepare graduates for modern legal challenges. Start the variance process today and help shape a more inclusive future for the legal profession.
The process is simple and straightforward. To request a variance, follow the directions here.