With costs rising every year and competition becoming fiercer, the possibility of being admitted into law school seems increasingly difficult.

This Friday, Jan. 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the University of Tennessee College of Law will hold an open house to help students become more familiar with law school and to "demystify the admission process," said Karen Britton, who serves as director of admissions, financial aid and career services for the College of Law.

The open house will be in Room 132 in the College of Law on Cumberland Avenue. It is for all students, including high school students, who have considered law school.

 Guest speakers and student panelists will cover topics such as financial aid and future jobs. Those who want to get the most out of the event should show up at 1:30 p.m. for refreshments and to pick up registration materials. There is no cost to attend, and no pre-registration is required.

After refreshments are served and materials are handed out, Britton and John Sobieski, dean of the college, will welcome those in attendance and introduce them to the program.

The program will consist of several workshops. In the first, a panel of current law students will discuess daily life as a student of law.

The next workshop will feature Aaron Todd, assistant director of advising services in the College of Arts and Sciences and pre-law advisor, who will speak about the admissions process.

Janet Hatcher, an admissions and financial aid advisor, will talk about financing law school, and Kay Brown, a career services student advisor and resource specialist, will speak about the job market for law graduates.

Britton and the guest speakers also will cover topics such as researching law schools, salaries for graduates and preparing for the LSAT.

"We think every session is critical to an understanding of the admission process," Britton said.

The open house program will be concluded with an optional tour of the college.

"It makes sense to figure out ahead of time if a degree in law school is something you want to pursue," Britton said. "It's important to know the process. It's just as important to realize what law school is all about, to know that's the right decision for you."