If any of you are looking for a new career.... 
By DEON HAMPTON World Staff Writer
Published: 9/24/2010 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 9/24/2010 4:43 AM
Ken Martin isn't just following his dream - he's chasing it.
The 24-year-old is a first-year student at University of Tulsa's College of Law and says he wants to be a criminal prosecutor because he enjoys arguing and watching television dramas such as "Law and Order."
He also is part of a growing trend.
The number of people applying to law schools nationwide continues to increase during the economic downturn, with some state law schools keeping up with the trend.
Law school applications have increased nationally for the third consecutive year, with 87,476 people applying in 2010, according to Law School Admission Council records.
The University of Tulsa College of Law has seen a significant jump in applications since the economy slumped three years ago.
In 2007, 1,211 students applied. That number increased to 1,293 in 2008 and 1,304 in 2009. More than 1,870 applied this year.
"From what I hear, it has a lot to do with the recession," said Martin, of Tulsa, who chose thelaw school because it's close to home. "Plus people can make more money in this field."
This year's large increase at TU in some part may have been because the school rose from a fourth-tier school to a third-tier school, according to the U.S. News and World Report, which ranks law schools, and thus becoming more competitive.
April Fox, University of Tulsa College of Law assistant dean of admissions, said the weak economy is a contributing factor to the application increase.
"Historically, whenever the economy isn't doing well, it's reflected in a law increase," she said.
Susan Wilson, University of Oklahoma College of Law director of admissions, said the reason why more people are applying to law school is a hot-button issue nationwide.
The trend varies, with more potential students applying in places hit harder by the economy, Wilson said.
The amount of people applying to OU's law school has either remained flat or declined in recent years. This year, 1,111 applied.
Wilson said the slight decrease is due in part to the university becoming more selective in the application process.
University of Oklahoma College of Law Dean Joseph Harroz Jr. said he believes the economy has led to more people considering a law career. He said a law degree puts people in a better position for employment because it can be used in several industries.
Angela Jennings, 23, is a second-year law student at the University of Tulsa who says being a lawyer allows her to be a public servant.
"The economy is a large reason why more people are applying to law school," Jennings said.
The number of applications Oklahoma City University School of Law has received has steadily risen the past couple of years. This year 1,361 applied.
This has been an interesting year as the number of applications continues to increase, said Bernard Jones, dean of admissions for Oklahoma City University Law School, noting that some of the increases should be attributed to the economy.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=19&articleid=20100924_11_A1_CUTLIN447803
By DEON HAMPTON World Staff Writer
Published: 9/24/2010 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 9/24/2010 4:43 AM
Ken Martin isn't just following his dream - he's chasing it.
The 24-year-old is a first-year student at University of Tulsa's College of Law and says he wants to be a criminal prosecutor because he enjoys arguing and watching television dramas such as "Law and Order."
He also is part of a growing trend.
The number of people applying to law schools nationwide continues to increase during the economic downturn, with some state law schools keeping up with the trend.
Law school applications have increased nationally for the third consecutive year, with 87,476 people applying in 2010, according to Law School Admission Council records.
The University of Tulsa College of Law has seen a significant jump in applications since the economy slumped three years ago.
In 2007, 1,211 students applied. That number increased to 1,293 in 2008 and 1,304 in 2009. More than 1,870 applied this year.
"From what I hear, it has a lot to do with the recession," said Martin, of Tulsa, who chose thelaw school because it's close to home. "Plus people can make more money in this field."
This year's large increase at TU in some part may have been because the school rose from a fourth-tier school to a third-tier school, according to the U.S. News and World Report, which ranks law schools, and thus becoming more competitive.
April Fox, University of Tulsa College of Law assistant dean of admissions, said the weak economy is a contributing factor to the application increase.
"Historically, whenever the economy isn't doing well, it's reflected in a law increase," she said.
Susan Wilson, University of Oklahoma College of Law director of admissions, said the reason why more people are applying to law school is a hot-button issue nationwide.
The trend varies, with more potential students applying in places hit harder by the economy, Wilson said.
The amount of people applying to OU's law school has either remained flat or declined in recent years. This year, 1,111 applied.
Wilson said the slight decrease is due in part to the university becoming more selective in the application process.
University of Oklahoma College of Law Dean Joseph Harroz Jr. said he believes the economy has led to more people considering a law career. He said a law degree puts people in a better position for employment because it can be used in several industries.
Angela Jennings, 23, is a second-year law student at the University of Tulsa who says being a lawyer allows her to be a public servant.
"The economy is a large reason why more people are applying to law school," Jennings said.
The number of applications Oklahoma City University School of Law has received has steadily risen the past couple of years. This year 1,361 applied.
This has been an interesting year as the number of applications continues to increase, said Bernard Jones, dean of admissions for Oklahoma City University Law School, noting that some of the increases should be attributed to the economy.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=19&articleid=20100924_11_A1_CUTLIN447803
