The University of Dayton School of Law (UDSL) is receiving a record number of applications, despite a decline in law school applications nationwide.

In fact, as other law schools are struggling to attract potential students, UDSL's application rate has gone up over 70 percent since 2002, and is almost 20 percent higher than the national average.

Janet Hein, assistant dean and director of admission for UDSL, called these numbers 'a tribute to our name getting out and also to our new programs.'

One of these programs is the option for prospective law students to graduate in five semesters instead of the traditional six. This is done through a rigorous course load and the new Summer Start Program, allowing students to take a full 18 hours the summer before they would normally begin their first year. If students choose this option, they are able to graduate in as little as two years.

'I think that's attracting a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't be interested in the program,' Hein said.

Something else that's giving UDSL national notoriety is its diversity. In the 2006 summer-start class, 13 states and 27 undergraduate schools were represented by only 40 students.

'We're attracting well outside our usual six-state region,' Hein said.

Last spring, UDSL also began implementing the Pro Bono Commitment to Community Program, a partially student-developed program which encourages students to pledge 50 hours to pro bono work throughout their time at UD. Ten of these hours can be community service through programs such as Optimist clubs and Habitat for Humanity. The other 40 hours must be pro bono law practice under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

A number of other law schools nationwide are requiring similar pro bono programs, but there is a growing trend toward making it an option.

'We feel that requiring students to do pro bono work would detract from the purpose of pro bono in the first place,' said Lori Shaw, assistant dean for student affairs at UDSL.

Students who complete the project are given the Pro Bono Commitment to Community Award, along with a distinguished graduation cord and a special denotation on their transcripts.

'This helps the community, because our students can provide services that, frankly, many attorneys don't have time to provide,' said Shaw.

A growing number of law firms are starting to seek out law school graduates who have previous pro bono experience.

'This is something employers care about,' said Shaw. 'These students find it incredibly fulfilling; they've got this God-given gift, and now have an opportunity to use it.'

These new programs and incentives are aiding UDSL in getting the prestigious reputation necessary to keep the application trends on the rise.

For more information, visit UDSL's Web site at law.udayton.edu.