The number of applications to law schools throughout the nation for the upcoming academic year decreased significantly from last year, according to a recent Kaplan study.
As of early February, law programs throughout the nation received 60,397 applications, a 10-percent decrease from last year.
Although many law schools have not yet received all of their expected applications, various universities nationwide are already reporting a decline.
Based on applications received thus far this year, the pool of applicants interested in Duke Law has decreased about 2.5 percent, officials said. Last year, the School of Law received 4,486 applications.
The University of Pennsylvania's Law School reported a 12-percent decrease in its number of applicants so far. Similarly, Columbia Law School received 8,020 applications, down 335 from 2005. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law reported a 4-percent decline.
Officials at Duke, however, are not concerned that the decrease in the size of the applicant pool will lead to a loss in the quality of prospective students.
Some believe students with lower credentials chose other career paths rather than spend time and money applying to law schools that were likely to reject them.
"The applicants this year have both very strong undergraduate grades and record test scores," said Bill Hoye, associate dean for student affairs in the School of Law.
Currently, there are approximately 22 applicants for every seat in the class, Hoye added.
Undergraduate students, however, may be favoring other career paths over law.
This year, there is approximately a 25-percent decrease in the number of students in Duke's graduating class going into the law profession in comparison to past years, said Gerald Wilson, senior associate dean of Trinity College and advisor of Bench and Bar, Duke's pre-law society.
Nationally, officials identify three factors explaining this year's decline in application numbers to law schools: a nationwide economy boost, a perception of law as an unappealing profession and some students opting to take a few years off before applying.
Many faculty and students speculate a strong negative correlation between the national economic state and the number of prospective law students.
Students are more likely to apply to law school when they are unable to find desired jobs coming out of undergraduate studies, explained Mark Hill, senior admissions officer for the School of Law.
Senior Brandon Goodwin, president of Bench and Bar, voiced similar opinions.
"I think the recent trend indicates that finding a job is much easier," he said. "This is the case for many of my friends. The benefits of going straight into a job next year outweighs those of attending law school."
Wilson also proposed other possible factors affecting the size of law schools' applicant pools. The profession was once held in great esteem, but that image is slowly deteriorating, he said.
Goodwin cited a recent U.S. News and World Report article that identified "attorney" as one of the least desirable careers in the nation.
"Students' apprehension may be fed by others persuading them not to pursue the profession," he added.
Choosing the profession of law may also be discouraged as a result of a negative view on public service, Wilson said.
Senior Brandon Hudson, who once considered delving into the profession, now said he finds the corporate nature of the field unappealing.
"It may not be as intellectually engaging as grad school would be," Hudson said. "It's more fact- and knowledge-based and has less room for critical analysis."
Another possible factor contributing to the application decline may be that many prospective law students are taking a few years off before applying to law school, Wilson said.
The number of law students leaving Duke, however, is always larger than the number of freshmen entering the pre-law track, he added.
"Every year about 20 percent of the graduating class at Duke will enter law school within two years' time," Wilson said.
Of the various factors identified as contributing to the application decrease, however, the rising tuition costs of attending law school is not one of them.
Duke School of Law's tuition has increased steadily in the past few years, but Hill said he sees no correlation between the rate of tuition change and the applicant pool size.
"People that want to go to law school are prepared and see it as an investment for the future career and earnings," he said.
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