Law School Applications and Diversity: Information for Minority Applicants

Introduction

As pre-law advisor, I can think of no better way to introduce this page than to quote the Council on Legal Education Opportunity's "Do You Believe That You Deserve the Opportunity to Compete For the Privilege of Attending Law School?":

"You deserve to go to law school. You are worthy of this experience. The legal profession needs more attorneys that look like you. These ideas seem basic but in the anxiety-ridden process that characterizes the law school preparation and admission processes, these simple truths can be relegated to the back seat of your mind when their rightful place is the drivers' seat. Your quest to become part of the legal profession must be predicated upon an unwavering belief that you deserve this opportunity. And more -- you deserve it as much as any other student competing to get into law school."

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) points out that all its member law schools have endorsed the principle of working to improve minority representation in law schools. LSAC also notes, however, that ethnic minorites remain under-represented in the legal profession.

In addition, LSAC provides online resources on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (lgbt) students and faculty in law schools and LSAC highlights the fact that the legal profession has been crucial in advancing lgbt rights.

Resources

Anthony Solana, Jr has written "The Law School Application Process For People of Color And Members of Other Historically Underrepresented Groups." Click here to read his analysis.

University of Alabama School of Law Professor Bryan K. Fair's "Preparing For a Career in Law in the 21st Century" offers powerful insights on pre-law preparation, law school applications, law school, and law as a profession.

Professor Fair describes his essay in the following manner:

"The purpose of this essay is to assist students considering a career in law by presenting some general advice, especially for African American and other minority students who historically were excluded from legal education and who often have limited sources of advice."

As you will see in the FAQ section, if I were asked for my top 3 suggesed sources on pre-law preparation advice, Prof. Fair's essay would be on the list.

Excellent pre-law materials are also available through LSAC's "Minority Perspectives" . Archived articles on "Learning to Live With Standardized Tests," "Showing Your Color: Minority Applicants and Law School Admission," and "Get a Jump on Financial Aid" are available online and offer many useful suggestions .

The ABA's Commission on Racial & Ethnic Diversity in the Profession and the Office of Diversity Initiatives provide additional information on diversity in the legal profession. Pre-Law students may find it interesting to begin reading Goal IX Newsletter to learn more about diversity issues and civil rights struggles.

Information on the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund is available online and from your pre-law advisor.

In addition, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) provides a list of financial aid sources as well as information on summer institutes for pre-law students.

LSAC provides brochures outlining information on law schools which have committed to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender inclusion. You may see your pre-law advisor for a brochure which supplements the LSAC online resources .

Additional Sources of Information for Minority Applicants