Law Students

Law School Application Numbers Down for Women

By jep

The most recent statistics show that number of women applying to law school has dropped.  A Spring 2007 ABA article addressed this trend, noting that from 2005 to 2007 there was a 12.7 percent drop for women despite, as the Wall Street Journal noted, a recent increase in law school applications.  Women had been gaining ground in law school admissions and had been at nearly 50% of first year law school attendees since at least 2000. 

The ABA article refers to some possible contributing factors to the drop such as: word getting out about few women in partnership or leadership positions in firms or the difficulties in maintaining a work life balance in the world of ever increasing billable hour requirements.  Other possible reasons may be difficulties getting financing or worrying about the ability to pay off law school debt in an uncertain job market. 

The 2009 numbers for women applying to law school are not yet released, however it will be worthwhile to pay attention when they are and determine if this is a trend and, if so, what we can do to lure women back to law schools.  What do you think are some reasons women may not be applying to law school?  If this is a trend what are some ways law schools or the profession could lure women back?

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Full post as published by Ms. JD on July 02, 2009 (boomark / email).