Law School Apps Drop 11.5 Percent, a 10-Year Low
Applications to start law school in the United States in the fall of 2011 have dropped 11.5 percent since last year and are on target to hit the lowest level in a decade, according to data provided by the Law School Admission Council Inc.
After widespread publicity about the hard-hit legal economy, it appears many prospective applicants have gotten the message that a law degree isn’t necessarily a ticket to well-paid employment or even a legal job, the Wall Street Journal reported.
“When the economy first went down, students saw law school as a way to dodge the workforce,” says pre-law adviser Ryan Heitkamp of Ohio State University. “The news has gotten out that law school is not necessarily a safe backup plan.”
Related coverage:
Legal Rebels: “What Does the Future of Law Hold? Three Predictions”
ABAJournal.com: “A ‘Small Bounce’ in Job Stats Chronicles a Better Year for Law Students”
ABAJournal.com: “In ‘Reflection of the Job Market,’ Albany Law School to Cut Enrollment By 4%, Budget By 2%”
