The number of law school applications this year has dropped significantly as more students take a second look at their true motivations behind attending law school.

Thenumber of law-school applicants this year is down 11.5% from a year ago to 66,876,
according to the Law School Admission Council Inc.

The figure, which isa tally of applications for the fall 2011 class, is the lowest since 2001
at this stage of the process.

The Council estimates that the application processis 86% complete, based on historical patterns.

There are a few things discouraging potential law students from applying to law school, 1) the recession has made the law job market a lot tougher. Even seasoned attorneys are finding themselves unemployed for long periods of time. 2) The rising costs of law school are often outstripping the salary the average law school graduate can expect to earn once they enter the workforce and 3) many people, seeing that law school is not a guarantee of a high paying job,simply are going into the careers they really want to do.

The average law school student is graduating with more than $100,000 in student loans making a law degree more expensive than it has ever been. Law students carefully accessing their desires and motivations behind entering law school,is not only sensible but it is financially prudent.  Also, law students going into public service are often making the wise decision to attend public universities with low-tuition costs.