Early acceptances this year - out of the ordinary?

[NerfHerder]

After comparing LSN data from last year and this year, I've noticed that schools are sending out acceptances a lot earlier this year than they usually do. Anyone else notice this or have an idea why it's happening?

[Duntov]

Fewer applicants.

[Miltra]

It may have more to do with more people using LSN this early in the cycle.  So, we're going to have more of everything--late accepts, early accepts, dings, etc.

[SleepyGuyYawn]

Do you really think there are fewer applicants this year?  That would be great if there were.

[jacy85]

I have no idea if the decisions are coming earlier than normal or not, but if they are, I'm just going to be grateful and not ask questions.

[NerfHerder]

Fewer applicants.

That's a bit counter-intuitive though isn't it? I would think that more applicants would cause an admissions dept to get out responses earlier due to the pile that is building up and fewer apps would give them more time to go over them and get responses out later. Either way, I'm just glad to know that I'm, going to law school next year even if it's my next-to-last choice.

[Javert]

That's a bit counter-intuitive though isn't it? I would think that more applicants would cause an admissions dept to get out responses earlier due to the pile that is building up and fewer apps would give them more time to go over them and get responses out later.

I disagree. Fewer aplicants means that there's less work to do, so they can get through applications faster. Plus, if somebody is going to be accepted into multiple schools (and fewer applicants make that more likely), there's motivation to be fast; you want to get that person in to visit your campus, get calls from your L1s and alumni, and reeeeeeeeeeeel him in. That's much harder to do if you don't send the acceptance until February.

Miltra-- Actually, there's fewer people using LSN this year. Unless you meant that most people didn't start using it until later in the cycle last year....

[NerfHerder]

I disagree. Fewer aplicants means that there's less work to do, so they can get through applications faster. Plus, if somebody is going to be accepted into multiple schools (and fewer applicants make that more likely), there's motivation to be fast; you want to get that person in to visit your campus, get calls from your L1s and alumni, and reeeeeeeeeeeel him in. That's much harder to do if you don't send the acceptance until February.

I see your point and agree. Maybe I was looking at it too simplistically.

[maricutie]

Hmm. Maybe more people are applying earlier this year, and adcoms ppl are selecting a bigger percentage of their class from these early birds? Just a guess. 

[NerfHerder]

For the record - I haven't seen anything documenting fewer applicants. People keep saying that there were less LSATs administered which is true but only by 2.7% which is tiny. I think that we'll be able to get a better feel of the applicant pool size after the next LSAT.