Like waters of the Middle Oconee River, the pool of University law school applicants is drying up.

It is a trend, according to a nation-wide survey of 195 law schools released by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions.

More than half of the law schools reported a decline in the number of applicants in the past year, according to the survey.

“We have long counseled students that when fewer people apply, it makes your application more competitive,” said Steve Marietti, director of Kaplan’s pre-law programs. While those numbers may trouble universities, he said, students could benefit.

“If you’re thinking about going to law school in the next year or two, it’s a great time to apply,” he said.

Giles Kennedy, director of law admissions for the University, said while he has seen “shrinkage” in the applicant pool since 2006, changes in the admissions process will be “subtle.”

According to the survey, of the 195 schools questioned, 79 percent reported their admissions standards remained the same.

“Whether we have 2,000 or 3,000 applicants, we’re going to have the same number of students accepted,” Kennedy said. The law school admits between 210 and 225 students each year, he said.

“When the economy is booming, applicants decline,” he said. “People graduate and get good job offers or they decide to put off law school. It’s the opposite in economic decline.”

Marietti said the survey’s purpose is to inform students that a smaller pool of applicants does not decrease the competitiveness of admissions.

“Every year, applicants get better,” he said. “It’s not a time to conclude that this is a slam dunk. The crop of applicants is getting better and better every year and (students) have to do the same.”

In 2004, more than 100,000 students applied to law schools nationwide, according to records from the University School of Law. That number decreased to 88,662 applicants in 2006.

Despite the negative implications of statistics, Kennedy said he is not worried.

“It’s not like we’re bashing our heads up against the wall and saying ‘woe is me,’” he said. “Nobody goes out of business.”