May 4, 2010

Cooley Law School Receives Record Number of Applications

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School received more applications in April 2010 than during any April in the school's 38-year history.

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School announced today that it received more applications in April 2010 than during any April in the school’s 38-year history. It is the second month in a row that the school has received a record number of applications.

April’s record 512 applications followed a record of 930 in March. The two-month total of 1,442 is 13.7 percent higher than the former March-April record set in 2007. April applications increased 25.4 percent from 2009, including a 58 percent increase in applications from Michigan residents.

In 2010, total applications are up 10 percent, with a 13 percent increase in applications from Michigan residents. In 2009, the school received 5,514 applications for its juris doctor program, along with 85 applications for its master of laws programs.

"Several things stand out in looking at the data from these two months," said Assistant Dean of Admissions Stephanie Gregg. "Most of this increase can be attributed to the popularity of the new campus in Ann Arbor, which already accounts for 25 percent of all applications. And the Auburn Hills campus is proving to be very popular with Michigan residents, with 42 percent of Michigan applicants selecting Auburn Hills. The Grand Rapids campus continues to attract out-of-state residents, as last fall's class and the deposits for this September's class show that 66 percent of students are coming from outside of Michigan."

"Applicants selected for admission are admitted to the school, then designate which of the four campuses they wish to attend, selecting among Lansing, Grand Rapids, Auburn Hill, and Ann Arbor," explained Cooley's Associate Dean for Enrollment and Student Services, Dr. Paul Zelenski, adding that "about half of the incoming students choose the Lansing campus, which is consistent with Cooley’s original plan."

Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation. Founded in 1972, the private, nonprofit law school operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Today, Cooley Law School has nearly 14,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and also offers joint degree and master of laws programs. Cooley offers enrollment three times a year; in January, May and September. Additional information about Cooley can be found at cooley.edu.