Studentsopttoworkbeforecontinuingschool

ELIZABETH BRACHELLI ASST. MANAGING EDITOR EAB722@CABRINI.EDU

With rising debt from college tuition, desires for a break from classes and favorable jobs on the market, students nationwide are jumping into the work force before attending law school or graduate school. As students opt to head for the work force, trailing behind them is falling numbers that reflect the decline in law school applicants.

The New York Times reported that for the first time last year, since the 1997-1998 admission cycle, the number of law school applicants has declined by 4.6 percent. So far this year, the number has declined by 9.5 percent.

Kelly Grant, a junior math and history major and Spanish minor, plans on attending law school in the near future. However, Grant is taking a break before heading into law school right away. Grant is graduating a year early and has had a rigorous schedule over the past three years.

Grant said, "I am looking forward to relaxing and taking my time with the whole process."

- Like Grant, many students have the same idea of taking a break before jumping into law school or graduate school. John Jonas, a freshman English and selors say they are not sure what is causing the drop. They suggested that in an improving economy, college students may prefer jobs to law school, or that

-John Jonas, freshman last year. communication major, who hopes to attend graduate school in the future, plans to hold off as well. However, Jonas feels it's necessary to gain experience first and consider his undergraduate debt.

At Columbia, 8,020 would-be lawyers applied to start law school last fall, compared with 8,355 a year earlier. At New York: University School of Law, the number fell to 7,872 from 8,220. At Stanford, the numbers fell to 4,863 from 5,040 and at Harvard Law School, the numbers fell to 7,127 from 7,386.

DiPrinzio said, "The Ivy Young Willis Award is presented annually at Cabrini College in memory of Young Willis• strong belief that women have a unique talent for improving public affairs, and Amoore fits right into that category."

Jonas said, "I'm going to work first because I want to get experience, and I know there are some companies that would pay for me to get a master's degree."

With falling numbers even among the top schools, admissions officers and career coun- rising undergraduate debt loads have discouraged some students from borrowing still more to pay for a law degree, according to the New York Times.

It was also reported by the New York:Times that the 95,800 applicants from the 2004-2005 admission cycle is still far greater than it was 10 years ago, when about 75,000 people applied. At this point in the current admission cycle, the numbers have fallen to 60,397 from more than 66,000 at this time

Nancy Hutchison, the director of cooperative education and career services, explained why students are heading into the work force first. Hutchison explained that students may not be sure what they want to do yet, and they're trying to find their interests. Also, students may be trying to find big organizations that will help finance the continuation of their education. However, Hutchison would advise students to work right away.

Hutchison said, "Get out there and work:. Make way in your field. Use all the resources available to you and start developing professional networks in your field."

In addition, Amoore is a board member of several professional organizations. including the Upper Merion School District, the Franklin Institute Board of Trustees and the PennsylvaniaState Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, President Bush named Amoore to the National African American Museum of History and Culture Commission, and in 2004, she became the first female and African American ever to chair a Pennsylvania delegation to the Republican National Convention.

Amoorewill also present a lecture on her experiences, successes and struggles at 7 p.m. in the Mansion. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dan DiPrinzio at 610902-8255.

Loquitur welcomes your comment3 on th.is story. Pkase .send your comments to:Loquitur@yahoogroups.co m The editors will review your points ·each wul and make comctiom if warranted.