Maurer School of Law, University Graduate School both see increase in applications

As the recession continues to restructure the job market, more and more people are fleeing to academic institutions as a safe-haven to ride out the economic uncertainty.

Graduate programs nationwide have experienced an influx in applications this year, with IU Maurer School of Law topping the charts at a 30 percent increase.

“More people are deciding to go to law school,” said Frank Motley, assistant dean of admissions for the Maurer School. “The economy is obviously a major influence –  if there were more jobs available out of school, then that is where people would be.”

IU University Graduate School also saw a rise in applications in nearly all graduate programs this year, said Dean of the IU University Graduate School James Wimbush.

“Many people who are out of work or unemployed find that going to graduate school and waiting for the job market to improve, while at the same time gaining new skills, is a viable alternative,” he said.

With more applications across the board, competitiveness for IU graduate programs is increasing as well.

“The greater the applicant pool, the better able we are in terms of selectivity,” Wimbush said.

The IU Maurer School of Law is experiencing a similar trend, which Motley credits in part to the school’s rise from 36 to 23, in the U.S. News and World Report law school rankings.

“We rose in ranking so we are getting an increase in people with high GPAs and LSAT scores,” Motley said. “When these people are coming in with very high
credentials its hard not to respond.”