2008 Woodie Awards
Law school applications on decline
LaShunda Hill
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Over 90 law schools in the country report a decline in the number of applications, according to the test preparation company, Kaplan.
However, 79 percent of law schools also cautioned applicants that the process of admissions still remains highly competitive.
Russell Schaffer, senior communications manager for Kaplan, said the statistics on the surface seem contradictory.
"What this implies is that the quality of the applicant has gotten stronger," Schaffer said.
"On the one hand, applicants are competing against a higher quality pool of peers," Schaffer said. "On the other hand, a decrease in the number of students applying means you have a better of chance of getting in now than in previous years."
According to Adam Owenby, vice president of UTC's Pre-Law Club, his recent experience in applying for law school is an example of the stress and competition associated with the admissions process.
"It's like a part-time job," Owenby said. "There is a lot of effort that goes into the application."
In reaction to Kaplan's recent survey, Owenby said, "People aren't applying because there is a general fear that the process is better than the person."
Since 2004, there has been a steady decrease in the number of law school applicants, from 100,600 in 2004 to 88,700 in 2006, the Kaplan Web site said.
Despite a decline in the number of applications, Owenby said that students should remain mindful of the steps they must take in order to stand out to admission officers.
John Friedl, political science professor and graduate of the Michigan Law program, said he tried to ease student fears concerning the admissions process by sharing wisdom with students at the Pre-Law club meeting.
Friedl said high LSAT scores, a good GPA and a well written personal statement can potentially put an applicant over the top.
"Harvard doesn't just want a class with Ivy League students. They want diversity. So don't think that just because you are coming from a small school that you won't get in."
For more information on the admissions process, contact Sonny Bui, secretary of the Pre-Law Club at Sonny-Bui@utc.edu.
However, 79 percent of law schools also cautioned applicants that the process of admissions still remains highly competitive.
Russell Schaffer, senior communications manager for Kaplan, said the statistics on the surface seem contradictory.
"What this implies is that the quality of the applicant has gotten stronger," Schaffer said.
"On the one hand, applicants are competing against a higher quality pool of peers," Schaffer said. "On the other hand, a decrease in the number of students applying means you have a better of chance of getting in now than in previous years."
According to Adam Owenby, vice president of UTC's Pre-Law Club, his recent experience in applying for law school is an example of the stress and competition associated with the admissions process.
"It's like a part-time job," Owenby said. "There is a lot of effort that goes into the application."
In reaction to Kaplan's recent survey, Owenby said, "People aren't applying because there is a general fear that the process is better than the person."
Since 2004, there has been a steady decrease in the number of law school applicants, from 100,600 in 2004 to 88,700 in 2006, the Kaplan Web site said.
Despite a decline in the number of applications, Owenby said that students should remain mindful of the steps they must take in order to stand out to admission officers.
John Friedl, political science professor and graduate of the Michigan Law program, said he tried to ease student fears concerning the admissions process by sharing wisdom with students at the Pre-Law club meeting.
Friedl said high LSAT scores, a good GPA and a well written personal statement can potentially put an applicant over the top.
"Harvard doesn't just want a class with Ivy League students. They want diversity. So don't think that just because you are coming from a small school that you won't get in."
For more information on the admissions process, contact Sonny Bui, secretary of the Pre-Law Club at Sonny-Bui@utc.edu.
