Would-Be Students Clamor to Apply at New UMass Law School

Applications tripled in February after the Southern New England School of Law merged with the University of Massachusetts, creating the first public law school in the state.

Looking only at February data, the school has received triple the number of applications over the same month last year, the Herald News reports. Overall, applications at the school have jumped 132 percent so far for the 2010 school year, with 123 would-be students seeking admission.

The merger was approved in February. Tuition is less than $24,000 for in-state residents.

The school is planning a “robust recruitment effort” that will begin in the next few weeks, according to an announcement.