Law Schools
Law Applications Surge at Some Schools, But National Increase Is Less Than 1%
Posted Feb 24, 2009 2:33 PM CST
By Martha Neil
Applications to Duke University School of Law hit an all-time record high this year, surging by 4 percent, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School saw a 6 percent increase, to the second-highest number of applications on record.
The 6,300 or so applications at Duke represent a 4 percent increase from last year's applicant pool of 6,069, only 200 of which were accepted, reports the Duke Chronicle. Final statistics for this year's applications haven't yet been compiled.
At Penn, there are 6,169 applications, so far, for 250 places in the fall class, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
However, the number of law school applications nationally has risen by less than 1 percent from last year, despite the dismal state of the economy, communications director Wendy Margolis of the Law School Admission Council tells the Chronicle. (Earlier, she told the Inquirer that applications had dropped a bit this year; final numbers for the current year are still being compiled.)
That compares to a 17.6 percent increase in the national law school applicant pool in 2002 after the 2001 recession, according to Margolis.
It's possible that a bigger surge in law school applications could come next year: Preparing to apply for law school takes time, and the economic debacle struck late in the year in 2008.
"Often in times of economic downturn, there may be an increase," Margolis tells the Chronicle. But "there may be a lag time between when people are getting really concerned" and when they actually apply to law school.
However, the cost of law school tuition today may be discouraging some potential applicants. "It is very expensive to go to law school," she tells the Inquirer, "and loan sources have dried up."
Both Duke and Penn are listed among the nation's top law schools in the controversial U.S. News & World Report rankings, which put Penn in a tie for 7th place and Duke in a tie for 12th last year.
- How B of A’s GC Got Fired: Leave Now, and Leave Your BlackBerry Behind
- Schools Ranked by 'Super Lawyers' Produced
- Law Firm Price Wars Break Out as Some Try ‘Loss Leader’ Bids for Work
- Five Questions for Law Firms Abandoning Lockstep Compensation
- Judge Jails 2 Attorneys for Contempt in 4 Days
- Reed Smith Will Ask Nonequity Partners to Pony Up Possibly 15% of Pay
- Court Deputy Ordered to Apologize or Face Jail After Taking Lawyer's Paperwork
- Skadden Jumps on the Bonus Bandwagon
- ABA Executive Director Resigns
- Nasty Attitude to Co-Worker, Naughty Word in E-Mail Cost 2 Their Jobs
Should Supreme Court Justices Be Able to Review News Accounts Before Publication?
Comments
Doctor Gonzo
Feb 24, 2009 3:17 PM CST
Count me as a person who applied to seven law schools this cycle and will probably end up at none of them because of the cost. From a financial standpoint, it makes little sense, especially since I have little desire for BigLaw and would probably get into PI law if I went to school. Even a going to a good T1 public law school with a bit of a scholarship would set me back almost $100K. Enough is enough.
Flag this comment
HNJ
Feb 24, 2009 8:03 PM CST
$150,000 of debt. 100% of delusional law students think they will be in the top 20% of the class and get Biglaw. 80% of you will be wrong and will be slaves to your loans. Don’t do it.
Flag this comment
Public School
Feb 25, 2009 9:31 AM CST
Ill be walking out with 60k in debt, thank you florida public schools!
Flag this comment
asdf
Feb 25, 2009 1:57 PM CST
Duke accepted 200 out of 6000? I think you mean that 200 are attending?
Flag this comment
Al Veoli
Feb 27, 2009 5:45 AM CST
Comment removed by moderator.
Flag this comment
Dan K.
Feb 27, 2009 7:25 AM CST
If you’re leaving with $150K of debt, you went to the wrong school.
Flag this comment
Sam A
Feb 27, 2009 8:09 AM CST
I for one see the benefit of a legal education. It costs about the same as a doctorate in any other field. Nobody is forced to go to lawschool. If people do so for the wrong reasons then that’s their “life lesson.” I came out of law school with 40K in debt, but many others from my class left with much more, but they weren’t forced into it by anybody.
Flag this comment
Steve
Feb 27, 2009 8:16 AM CST
Looks like the internet is providing these youngsters with accurate information on the cost/benefit ratio of attending. $100k + debt and $40k starting salary does not work. Unless you can go to a cheap public school or a top school that assures you a big law job, you should not attend. I think as a rule of thumb your starting salary needs to be 75% of the loan(s) you take out.
Flag this comment
B. McLeod
Feb 27, 2009 8:20 AM CST
Next step - accredited law schools in India.
Flag this comment
JWU
Feb 27, 2009 9:40 AM CST
I agree with #2 and #8. I hope the applicants did their research and know what they are getting into. Also, there are so many law school grads who can’t even get a legal job. Personally, I am surprised that people would still apply to law school after what has been going on in the market.
Flag this comment
Doode
Feb 27, 2009 9:49 AM CST
There are good “lower ranking” tier 1 schools that you can get through with little or no debt.
Pick one in an urban area that has a strong part-time program catering to returning students. Go full time, but use the night classes in the part-time program to allow flexibility for working hours.
Yes, I said working hours. Work your buns off while completing school.
Buy raw materials groceries instead of prepared foods and no restaurants. No soda. No entertainment budget. Pretend you’re a pauper and live like one for 2.5 years. You’re a smart, resourceful person, so you can do 2.5 years standing on your head if you have to, so living poor for a few years isn’t a big deal.
Get out with your nice shiny-new law degree, but with no debt.
Flag this comment
Sean
Feb 27, 2009 1:33 PM CST
Good article. But I think those who are interested in public interest or government work should be aware of the CCRAA, signed in 2007. Along with income-based repayment options, this loan forgiveness program has the potential to soften the debt burden of graduates.
Flag this comment
Leo
Feb 27, 2009 2:18 PM CST
I agree with Sean at #12. I’m going to take advantage of that, even if it’s in a non-attorney position.
Flag this comment
Greg Majercik
Feb 28, 2009 6:05 PM CST
There are far many more options to waste 100K on…I prefer OTB, strip clubs and Amazon.com
Flag this comment
Dr Know
Mar 1, 2009 2:09 PM CST
Dear Sam A:
Your statement isn’t wholly accurate, as most people working towards a doctorate in the physical sciences not only get a tuition waiver, but also receive a stipend.
Flag this comment
Allen Sheketovits
Mar 1, 2009 3:17 PM CST
Comment removed by moderator.
Flag this comment
Peden
Mar 1, 2009 3:35 PM CST
I sincerely hope the undergrad deans and/or pre-law advisors are helping these kids understand the realities of the current legal market. And I sincerely hope the kids are taking to time to research it themselves. Though, hopefully, in 3 years from now when it’s time for them to graduate the economy and job prospects will be better. Unfortunately most students who go on to law school “invested” in undergraduate degrees that make employment difficult without further education…
Flag this comment
Law School's hayday is gone decade ago.
Mar 2, 2009 11:00 PM CST
As a former drop out of one of most prestigious school, I can definitely say, It’s not worth it. UNLESS you have any political ambition.
Flag this comment
Bob
Mar 8, 2009 8:03 PM CST
I got a 167, have a 3.5 GPA and applied to 15 schools—I’ve been rejected by every single one. I was initially excited when I saw that the score put me in the “95th percentile,” but apparently that doesn’t cut it these days. I hate my life.
Flag this comment
Add a Comment
We welcome your comments, but please adhere to our comment policy.
Commenting has expired on this post.