After she graduates, UC Berkeley senior Lauren Apter is steering clear of the souring job market and opting for the Peace Corps. But the dwindling availability of jobs and surging national unemployment rates have led her to consider another move after that-graduate school.

"I definitely say my choice in grad school is definitely heightened by the economy," she said. "The idea that I can still continue my education provides me with a nice security blanket."

Apter is not alone.

Joseph Duggan, associate dean of UC Berkeley's graduate division, said that as of Nov. 30, the number of graduate school applications is 28 percent higher than the same time last year-the biggest spike he has seen in his 23 years in the division.

So far, about 7,814 applications have come in, compared with 6,115 last year. Roughly 35,000 applications come in yearly.

"I don't remember ever having that large of a jump," Duggan said. "This is quite a big rise. They usually go up and down three or four percent."

Historically, more students have looked to improve their employability by going to graduate school during uncertain markets, something higher education officials say could make acceptance and financial aid more competitive.

The growing interest in graduate school is a national trend, said Liza Weale, director of graduate programs for Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. Since September, Kaplan has seen a 45 percent increase in interest for its business, law and graduate school preparation programs.

While the jump in campus graduate school applications may change as deadlines differ per program, administrators anticipate a rise in applicants.

Peter Johnson, executive director of admissions for the campus's full-time MBA program, estimates applications are already up roughly 20 percent compared to last year, although only one round of its four-round application cycle has ended. Edward Tom, dean of admissions at Boalt Hall School of Law, said he predicts the number of applicants will go up 6 to 7 percent.

The electrical engineering and computer sciences department is expecting to receive 3,000 applications, 500 more than last year, said Rebecca Miller, director for the department's center of student affairs.

But not all students applied in time. For fifth-year Katie Leary, taking a break before graduate school may hinder future employment opportunities.

"Now that I know, I feel that it would be better to go into grad school because I couldn't get a job," she said. "I'm a little wishing I had the option to stay in school."

Despite the increase in competition for financial aid, the diminishing number of student loan lenders could also complicate graduate school aspirations, higher education officials said.

Additional schooling aside, work experience can be more valuable on a resume these days, said Suzanne Helbig, a career counselor at the Career Center.

"For some professions, a graduate degree is the ticket into entry," she said. "For others, you just get a deep understanding of a subject matter, but you really need the combination of experience and the degree. You can't have one or the other."

Tags: GRADUATE SCHOOL, NATIONAL ECONOMY