As Grey's Anatomy draws more prospective doctors every year, Law and Order fans seem to be turning to other fields. In a survey of 190 law schools conducted by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, half of the schools reported a decline in applications during the past two years, with a 17.

It's going to be a busy year for newly inaugurated Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and with his recent staff appointments, the same will be true for several Penn faculty and graduates. Nutter, a Penn graduate himself, vowed this fall to include university minds in shaping his policy and tackling the major problems in Philadelphia.

As food prices increase nationwide, students and West Philadelpia residents are feeling the strain on their purse strings. The price of many food staples, including milk, eggs and bread, rose drastically in 2007, resulting in higher prices at grocery stores and restaurants.

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J., Jan. 15 - Just over a minute into the Quakers' contest at Seton Hall last night, Penn guard Sarah Bucar came up with a loose ball and flipped it to Anca Popovici, who looked up the court for an easy fast break. She saw Maggie Burgess and lobbed up a pass, hoping to hit her on the run.

Since John Giannini took over La Salle's struggling program in August 2004, he hasn't gone for the traditional players. Instead of seeking out those with the best skills, he's gone for the best athletes. Take a 6-foot-5 wing and teach him how to play the point.

Monday Jim Saksa You Sir, are an Idiot College Senior Jim Saksa is finally graduating, so this semester should be spent boozing heavily with his SigEp frat brothers. Instead, he'll spend countless nights writing inane drivel for the DP. Hopefully, you'll appreciate the sacrifices he's making.

Penn's early decision acceptance rate decreased by 1 percent from last year to match the school's lowest-ever admissions rate of 28 percent. Of the 3,912 high-school seniors who applied to Penn early decision last fall, 1,147 were accepted in December. Those students will compose about 48 percent of the Class of 2012.

It's no small feat to reduce a major city's crime rate by 30 to 50 percent - but newly-inaugurated Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter plans to try. In his inaugural speech after being sworn in as mayor last week, Nutter described his plan for a "New Philadelphia," addressing the city's major issues and presenting a series of ambitious goals for his administration.

Actually, they do care. While most students were busy catching z's over the winter break, some Quakers were bearing the cold of Iowa and New Hampshire in support of the 2008 Presidential candidates. In a departure from previous election cycles, this year's candidates are depending on youth involvement both within their campaigns and in voting booths for their success.

For many students, Christmas came early last month. In response to Harvard's sweeping financial aid initiative, which extends coverage to middle and upper-class families, Penn announced last month that it would work toward loan-free aid for all eligible students by Fall 2009.

Two students accused of committing crimes in dormitories during the fall semester are no longer enrolled at the University. Wharton senior Jason Myers, who allegedly burglarized rooms in Harnwell College House, and Diexia Wang, who allegedly stole bras and panties from Mayer Hall dorm rooms, are no longer enrolled at Penn, Vice Provost for University Life spokesman Matt Waller said.

'We would like to return to work with our writers. If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence." With characteristic wit, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert announced their intentions to resume their respective Comedy Central shows last week without their striking writers.

The biggest concern was rust. Heading into their match on Saturday, the No. 9 Quakers had not played a match in over five weeks, thanks to inclement weather and a long winter break. Yet No. 10 Navy had not competed in even longer - dating back to November - and it was unable to right the ship against Penn.

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When most astronauts go into space, they bring something special from home. Garrett Reisman, a 1991 Wharton and Engineering alumnus, is bringing an M&T; emblem and a piece of ENIAC, the very first computer, which was developed at Penn. Reisman will travel to the International Space Station for two months this March.

In contrast to the homicide and four major robberies that occurred over last year's winter break, University City experienced relatively few major crimes this vacation. Over the past month, three assaults and three robberies were reported in the Penn patrol zone.

Alicia Puglionesi is a College junior from Havertown, Pa. Her e-mail address is puglionesi@dailypennsylvanian.com.