Kamala Harris’ law school reports an applicant surge as election nears
2024.10.29 17:58
By Karen Sloan
(Reuters) – The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, has reported a 64% spike in its number of applicants during the final weeks of the U.S. presidential election between Donald Trump and the school’s alumna, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
The school has received 633 applications thus far, up from 385 this time last year, according to a report prepared by the Law School Admission Council and reviewed by Reuters. The council maintains a centralized application system for all U.S. law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.
Law Dean David Faigman said on Tuesday that applicants have cited Harris as one reason UC Law San Francisco is in high demand this year. Harris, who is running for president as a Democrat, graduated from the school in 1989 when it was called the University of California Hastings College of the Law.
UC Law San Francisco’s increase is nearly twice that of the 33% increase in the national applicant pool this year, a number tracked by the Law School Admission Council.
Legal education experts have attributed some of that gain to an earlier application process this year, although they also say presidential elections can prompt more people to consider legal careers.
Harris has made her legal career a centerpiece of her campaign, speaking at length about her time as a local prosecutor before she was elected as California’s Attorney General, then U.S. Senator and now vice president.
Trump, a Republican, did not attend law school.
UC Law San Francisco’s website homepage currently features a large photo of her and an article titled “10 Things You Didn’t Know about Kamala Harris’ Law School.” School officials have said that as a public institution, it cannot endorse any candidates for office.
A Harris-related bump for the UC Law San Francisco has precedent. Applicants increased 33% in 2020 after President Joe Biden selected Harris as his running mate.
A law school spokesperson said the current 64% increase in applicants is the largest in the five years for which the school has data.
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