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Robert Shumake comments on J.G.Wentworth Ruling...Matt Bracy Explains...

Robert Shumake — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:54:06 +0000

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J comments on Above the Law's Elie Mystal discusses Columbia's law school diversity study

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:43:49 +0000

I am a first year minority law student at a top 20 law school, and I concede that lower GPA/LSAT scores may be a cause of lower minority enrollment in law schools. But I attribute the lack of diversity in my class to systemic inequities, specifically the economic burden of preparing for the LSAT and law school in general.

My parents are high school teachers, far from rich, but able to pay for my enrollment in a LSAT preparation course (thousands of dollars). I saw very few minority students there, and I pity the ones who tried to go the cheaper route, self-preparation, since they were likely creamed by the Kaplan/Princeton groomed competition. The LSAT score does not purely reflect critical thinking or reading skills, but also method and preparation, which can be bought.

However, during the entire time that I prepared for the LSAT, I was also taking a full academic load and working 20 hours a week. I know from conversation that I tested against students from the prep course who had finished their bachelors already, but were taking an entire year off from school and work to devote their exclusive attention to preparation for the LSAT. As many are financing part or all of their tuition and living expenses independently, few minority students I knew, myself included, could afford that extravagance.

Though indicators like the LSAT and GPA are meant to neutralize socio-economic disparities (which usually fall along racial lines), the moneyed upper classes will typically find a way to give their children any advantage that they can buy, be it a $3000 LSAT prep course, the freedom to devote their existence to studying for the test for a year or more, expensive "admissions coaches" to write their personal statements for them, and so on.

A poorer minority student would need to be pretty exceptional to compensate for lacking those advantages.

Egg Donation comments on Egg Donation Lawyer Theresa Erickson Applauds Passage of Egg Donation Advertisement Statute in California

Egg Donation — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:45:07 +0000

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Darrell comments on Above the Law's Elie Mystal discusses Columbia's law school diversity study

Darrell — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:56:22 +0000

Unfortunately, I can't watch the video from this computer, but I agree with Mike's point that there is some information missing from the study itself. I'd imagine (purely speculating here) that in the same way there is difficulty retaining midlevel minority associates (or was before 2008, to avoid the issue of the market falling apart), it may have to do with a lack of support structure (i.e. fewer minority partners makes it more difficult to attract and retain minority associates). I don't know if the number of minority law students would correlate in the same way with minority law professors, but I'd expect it to have some impact. I'd love to look at retention rates of minority students at Howard University compared to first and second tier schools as a whole, for example.

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debt management consultant — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:25:25 +0000

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The LBN Team comments on Above the Law's Elie Mystal discusses Columbia's law school diversity study

The LBN Team — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:24 +0000

Mike,

Great observation. I think not only this report but other evidence indicates that minority graduations are still lagging despite score improvements. As you said it's now time to get past the "what is happening" and get empirical evidence as to Why it is happening.

Mark W

Mike comments on Above the Law's Elie Mystal discusses Columbia's law school diversity study

Mike — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:37:16 +0000

Wouldn't we need data on an additional variable - namely, the average GPA and LSAT scores of non-minority students during the same period - in order to understand WHY African-Americans and Mexican-Americans are being shut out of law school?

For example, if the average GPA / LSAT score of non-minority students is both (1) higher than minority students, and (2) is outpacing minority improvements (e.g. a higher percentage of improvement each year than their minority counterparts), then it might explain why fewer minority students are matriculating, despite their improving scores.

The data so far is interesting - but there might need to be more work to move beyond the WHAT to get to the more pertinent question of WHY.

Eric D comments on Above the Law's Elie Mystal discusses Columbia's law school diversity study

Eric D — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:41:54 +0000

Very interesting. I don't see this trend continuing.

Darren comments on Above the Law's Elie Mystal discusses Columbia's law school diversity study

Darren — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:25:47 +0000

Great interview. I'm glad you guys addressed the topic of minorities in law school.

surrogacy comments on Egg Donation Lawyer Theresa Erickson Applauds Passage of Egg Donation Advertisement Statute in California

surrogacy — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:29:28 +0000

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