The Q: How much of a difference will my race (part black, part white) and my gender (female) help my law-school admission chances?

The A: Will your race help you get in? It might a little, although this is not the 1970s or 1980s. Minority representation in law school is much more common now, so I don't think it will give you much of an advantage. That said, it might help admissions committees at some schools "overlook" lower standardized test scores, as those tests do traditionally prejudice against minority students to some degree (although lately there have been significant improvements in balancing the racial tilt). However, I personally do not think race in and of itself is going to get you in over a student with more competitive numbers.

There is another way that race can become a factor in your application, though: If your being a minority has had some profound effect on your development as a student, then you could possibly use this as a subject for your entry essay. Make sure that the essay is poignant and in some way tailored towards your law-school goals, and you can make it work for you.

Will your gender help you? No, I don't think your gender is going to be a factor either way. If you look at the admissions numbers, most law schools are 50/50 these days, and some (including my alma mater, the University of Texas) actually have more female students than males. There are tons of well-qualified female law students out there, so I don't think you are going to find any boost from admissions committees for being a woman.

—Christopher Clough, Prelaw Advisor

This response was written on Feb. 9, 2006.

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