Cornell Law School has experienced a drop in applications from the Fall of 2011 to the Fall of 2013. The numbers dropped from 5,556 in 2011 to 4,054 in 2013, according to the law school’s website.
The senior associate director and prelaw advisor at Cornell Career Services is Jane Levy. She spoke with the Cornell Daily Sun. Levy said that drop in law school applications is due to changes in the legal market to go along with the cost of legal education.
“The National Association for Legal Career Professionals … reported that the overall employment rate for Class of 2012 law graduates was just under 85 percent, the lowest since 1994,” she said. “The percentage of graduates reporting they took a job for which bar passage was required was lower than ever.”
Levy also said that law school applicants are privy to better prospects because of less competition.
“With such a significant decline in the applicant pool, applicants seem to be faring somewhat better in the admissions process and in receiving scholarships,” she said.
Levy said that despite job prospects dwindling in the market, students still have multiple options to pursue after graduation.
“I encourage students who are considering a legal career but haven’t confirmed their plans to take time after graduating from Cornell to test their interest by doing law-related work and/or by gaining exposure to other fields that might engage their interest,” Levy said.