Nick Reister didn't even bother applying for any jobs when he graduated.

"The economy was in a state where it would be more beneficial for me to increase my education," said Reister, a first-year MSU-Detroit College of Law student, who graduated from Hope College last year.

Reister is among a growing number of students who are opting to attend graduate school rather than looking for work amid the slumping economy and difficult job market.

MSU's admissions office has received 8,107 applications from potential graduate students, an increase of nearly 2,000 from those processed at this time last year, said Jim Cotter, senior associate director in admissions and scholarships.

"There are students looking to re-enter the academic arena because it may be a more realistic option than going to work at this time," Cotter said.

Aside from MSU graduate programs, MSU-Detroit College of Law and Lansing-based Cooley Law School are reporting an application influx.

Last month, the state's unemployment rate reached 5.9 percent, nearly doubling the 3.2-percent rates of 2000. But today's figures remain lower than the early '90s when they reached 9.5 percent, said Jeff Biddle, a professor of labor economics.

"There is certainly going to be an increase in applicants and that is because the job market was so incredibly good three years ago," Biddle said. "Students had wonderful opportunities even if they didn't go to graduate school.

"We're down from a historically high peak."

Biddle, who works with college seniors, said he's noticed more students discussing the prospect of graduate school during the economic slump.

"When a student decides between graduate school and starting a career right away one of the most important factors is how much they can earn when they go into the job market," Biddle said. "The less you are likely to earn the more attractive graduate school looks."

In Cooley's admissions office, Assistant Dean of Admissions Stephanie Gregg said she is "downloading applications like crazy."

Since Sept. 1, Cooley has received 1,888 applicants, up 37 percent from last year.

While the economy has played a large factor in increased applications, Gregg said it could be a moral calling after a year filled with business scandals.

"There are a lot of people that want to make a difference and want to help people," she said. "After the Enron scandal, people are encouraged to join an area where they feel they can help make things right.

"When we have business scandals or accounting practices that don't seem ethical, people say law seems to be the way to go."

DCL has received nearly 1,000 applicants, an increase of about 350 from this time last year. In 1997, DCL had about 275 applicants, Associate Dean and Professor Mike Lawrence said.

While an increase in applicants to graduate school is typical in a down economy, Lawerence attributes much of DCL's increase to the Big Ten campus appeal.

"The Big Ten campus and the sports program are huge draws to law students," he said. "The quality of our students is now a Big Ten quality student.

"We're able to know that they are going to do well on the bar exam, in law school and in practice."

Reister said even if the economy is still down when he graduates with his law degree, he will dive into the job market.

"I think this increases my marketability and gives me a little more control of my destiny," Reister said.