9 Tips for Applying to Law School as a Minority Applicant
There been a slight uptick in the percentage of minorities at law firms from 13 michael kors watches womens uk.36 percent in 2013 to 13.83 percent in 2014 according to a February report from the National Association for Law Placement, a group for legal professionals.
But getting into law school, the first step toward a career at a law firm, is still a challenge for many minorities, experts say. Law admissions experts share their advice for applicants of color.
Some minority applicants don check the box for their race in applications, fearing that they get special treatment because of it. This is a huge mistake, says Peg Cheng, who helps candidates sharpen their applications through her company, Prelaw Guru michael kors watches womens uk.
“Law schools are looking for a diverse class,” she says. Omitting this information can make it harder for an admissions officer to ensure that an incoming class includes people from various backgrounds michael kors watches womens uk.
Applicants who downplay their minority status may also eliminate their chances of getting a scholarship for minorities, Cheng says.
Write a Diversity Statement
When filling out an application, checking the box next to the race you identify with is not enough, says Cheng michael kors watches womens uk. This check mark can be overlooked, and some schools may not be allowed to factor race into the admissions decision michael kors watches womens uk. But minority applicants can discuss their heritage and how it influenced their choice to go to law school in a compelling diversity statement, Cheng says.
Although this essay is typically optional, she says minority applicants should always complete it.
Focus on the LSAT
“A brown student with a high LSAT is like gold to law schools,” says Cheng. Law school experts usually advise all applicants to do their best on the LSAT, the admissions exam used by most schools. Achieving a high score, however, can be especially advantageous for minority students.
A top score may help them stand out from other applicants. “So few people of color have that,” she says. A strong LSAT score also opens the door for scholarships, Cheng says.
Lead a Student Group
Most undergraduate institutions have a prelaw organization that helps prospective law students learn more about the application process, says Lynda Cevallos, director of prelaw educational activities for the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, which helps minority applicants get into law school.
Cevallos says it great if prelaw students join this student group, but they should also join any organization that shares their interests and then try to become a leader. As the head of the group, a student learns how to speak confidently in front of a large audience a skill students have to use often in law school, she says. “I find that a lot of students of color don have that,” Cevallos says.
Talk to Advisers
While advisers are there to guide all college students through school, not everyone goes to them especially minorities. “A lot of them don do it,” says Cevallos, who graduated from American University Washington College of Law michael kors watches womens uk.
Students of color who are also low income may spend time outside of class tending to other obligations, such as working.
The site provides tips for becoming a competitive applicant and tells students about events where they can learn more about diversity within the legal profession.
Consider Prelaw Programs
Cevallos encourages minority applicants to attend the Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars Program to further their preparation for law school michael kors watches womens uk.
Aspiring law students should not just rely on the number of minority students at a school to gauge if the school embraces diversity, experts say. Stats can be misleading if, for example, there a high percentage of minority students in a first year class but a much lower percentage in a third year class, says Cevallos from the Council on Legal Education Opportunity michael kors watches womens uk.