Students carrying armloads of law school information bustled in and out of Hughes-Trigg yesterday. This year, the SMU Law Fair featured over 88 schools from across the country.

Representatives from law schools such as Emory, Boston College, Vanderbilt and Washington University distributed brochures and answered questions. The majority of students who attended were upperclassmen seeking information about the application process, different concentrations and test score requirements.

Over the past decade, the number of students applying to law school increased at an exponential rate. Universities have been raising the bar for LSAT scores and GPAs, only accepting the most competitive, well-rounded candidates.

Representatives reminded students that although test scores are important, the colleges are looking for someone who will bring diversity to a campus, not someone who will simply “fit in.”

The fair did not only provide information about law schools; representatives also spoke about the advantages of receiving joint and dual graduate degrees.

The SMU Dedman College Advising Center sponsored the event and invited all students, regardless of their majors, to attend. With help from the Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors (SWAPLA), the fair cost SMU only $1,500 to put on.

Judy McMaster from SMU Pre-Law services coordinates the fair each year and has helped do so since she started working at SMU in 1989. The event takes months to coordinate but runs for only one day. Still, as many as 800 people have attended the fair in the past.

“Every two to three years SMU works in conjunction with SWAPLA to bring a caravan of law schools to the students,” McMaster said.

SWAPLA travels all over Texas to present law fairs at various campuses.