Minority enrollment at Penn State Dickinson School of Law is up nearly 272 percent since 2002, according to a report published by National Jurist magazine.

This puts Dickinson at the top of a list of nearly 200 law schools in terms of its percentage growth and improvement in the last five years.

Today, about 22 percent of Dickinson's overall student body is composed of minority students, up from 8 percent in 2000. Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Janice Austin said with the increase, Dickinson is finally catching up to the national average.

"We were way behind the curve of other law schools," she said. Austin said there were very few law schools as lacking in minority enrollment as Penn State was just a few years ago.

Dickinson School of Law spokeswoman Kelly Jones said the tripling of the number of minority students is related to the improving academic credentials. She said the school has become much more selective when choosing from its applicant pool.

Most notably, LSAT scores of incoming students have seen a large increase. In 2002, 75 percent of the entering class scored below a 157 on the LSAT. In 2006, 75 percent scored above a 157.

"We have done a complete 360 in terms of the quality of the students that we are bringing in," Austin said. Austin said she is excited about what she believes is a better and stronger generation of law students. She said she attributes the increases to more extensive marketing and outreach programs.

Jones added that minority enrollment has been a priority within the administration.

"Ultimately, we've been able to attract minority students in greater numbers because, like all students, they are attracted to the kinds of programs that we offer, our instructors, and our new facilities," Jones said. Along with more diversity within the student body, Dickinson has also enjoyed an improvement in the diversity of their staff.

Penn State spokeswoman Annemarie Mountz said Penn State has become an extremely popular destination for higher education, not just for undergraduates but for graduate students as well.

She said applications will most likely continue to increase.

"I know that we are attracting a lot of really, really good students," Mountz said. "Especially since the announcement of the dual campus for Dickinson students to study down in Carlisle and University Park."

Austin said she hopes to continue the upward trend for a diverse institution.

"It will be our challenge to continue to have classes that reflect society," she said.