The JD-Next program, an alternative to traditional law school entrance exams such as the LSAT and GRE, continues to gain traction across the United States. Recently, it has been announced that five additional law schools have received approval from the American Bar Association (ABA) to use this admissions standard. These institutions include Fordham University School of Law, the University of Illinois College of Law, DePaul University College of Law, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, and the University of St. Thomas School of Law. This development increases the total number of law schools accepting JD-Next to 57.
The ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar made this decision during their late May meeting, though the official announcement was disclosed this month. The growing adoption of JD-Next comes as a relief to many prospective students who find traditional standardized tests, particularly the LSAT, to be a significant hurdle. For those who prefer the LSAT, it remains the most accepted entrance exam for law schools, providing students with multiple options to secure their academic futures.
This shift in admissions policy reflects broader trends within legal education aimed at diversifying the pathways through which students can enter law school. For further details on this topic, refer to the coverage provided by Reuters.
For more context and the full announcement, you can read the original article on Above the Law.