Hope, but not optimism, predicts academic performance of law students beyond previous academic achievement

This longitudinal study examined the relative associations of initial levels of hope and optimism with subsequent academic performance and life satisfaction among first-year law students (N = 86). Path analysis showed that hope, but not optimism, predicted better academic performance, while controlling for Law School Admission Test scores and undergraduate grades. Both hope and optimism uniquely predicted greater life satisfaction at the end of the first semester.

► Hope predicts law school performance.
► Optimism does not predict law school performance.
► Hope and optimism predict subsequent law student life satisfaction.