Admissions officers debate economy's impact on postgrad study

Members of the Class of 2002 are graduating during a very tenuous time. The economy is slowing down and the once lucrative dot-com industry has continued to slump.

Compared to last year, there are fewer jobs and opportunities for graduates - including postgraduate study opportunities. Some suspect that because the job market is so competitive this year, more seniors are looking for other options.

"The number of pre-law appointments for both current students and alumni is higher this year," Lyon Zabsky, the pre-law adviser for career services, said in an e-mail.

Law schools around the nation are expecting a 20-percent increase in applications. Columbia University Law School received about 6,000 applications last year. This year more than 7,000 applications are expected.

Though numbers of law school applications are up nationwide, the economy's effect is debatable, according to admissions officials.

William Wilcox, assistant director of admissions and student affairs at Columbia law school, said that during periods of recession, postgraduate education becomes more popular. According to Wilcox, the desire to further one's education is a "natural reaction" during an economic downturn — an advanced degree "can pay off in the long run," he said.

At Stanford University Law School, Associate Director of Admissions Shannon Marimon said that Stanford has had a "steady increase in applications" over the past few years.

She predicted there will be "new interest in graduate-level education" because of the slowing economy.

Farah Ahmed '02, a law school applicant, said the recent downturn in the economy has not affected her desire to pursue a law degree. Even though admission might be more competitive this year, she said she is not worried.

However, Betsy Zedek '02, another law school hopeful, expressed more concern.

"[The economy] affects our chances of getting into law schools," Zedek said. She also said schools that would have once been safeties for her are no longer guaranteed.

The impact of the economy on medical school applications is also up for debate and according to Dr. Daniel Notterman, the University's pre-medical adviser, it is "too early to tell" if there will be an increased interest in medical school as the application process for current juniors and seniors has just begun. However, Notterman said that there was no change in the number of applications University students sent out this year.

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UCLA School of Medicine admissions officer Lili Fobert said that the school received about the same number of applications this year as it did last year. According to Fobert, this number has been consistent for the past 10 years, indicating that the economy is not affecting interest in UCLA medical school.

However, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons has seen a decrease in applicants in the past few years. Andrew G. Franz, associate dean of admissions, said that the popularity of medical school occurs in a cycle which follows the economy's health.

During periods of recession, students look for "job security" and turn to medical school and law school for post-graduate education opportunities. According to Frantz, during "good times, there are less applicants."