Does (and if so, how does) URM status affect admission to top schools

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>Well, there have been studies showing that to get Ivies and other top schools for undergrad, white students need X high school GPA and X SAT, different numbers for Asians, and different for URMs, etc.</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone knew what those numbers were, on average, for undergraduate gpa/lsat scores for top law schools.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>[LSN</a> :: Harvard University - Admissions Graph](<a href=“Recently Updated J.D. Profiles | Law School Numbers”>Recently Updated J.D. Profiles | Law School Numbers)
[LSN</a> :: Harvard University - Admissions Graph](<a href=“Recently Updated J.D. Profiles | Law School Numbers”>Recently Updated J.D. Profiles | Law School Numbers)
[LSN</a> :: Harvard University - Admissions Graph](<a href=“Recently Updated J.D. Profiles | Law School Numbers”>Recently Updated J.D. Profiles | Law School Numbers)</p>

<p>Scattergrams of applicants over the last three years. Look for green arrows labeled “(URM)”</p>

<p>2007-2008:
Black male 167, 3.69
Black male 167, 3.73
Black male 172, 3.29
Black male 174, 3.05
Black female 174, 3.48
Black male 175, 3.06</p>

<p>2008-2009:
Black male 155, 3.7
Mexican female 163, 4.03
Mexican/PR male 166, 3.95
Black male 169, 3.67
Black male 177, 3.47
Mexican/PR female 167, 3.67</p>

<p>etc.</p>

3

<p>someone got into Harvard Law with a 155?!</p>

4

<p>First of all you should not simply look at the numbers with out knowing what is behind the numbers. the person with a 155 could have vast and meaningful work experience in the type of environment where they are looking to practice law.</p>

5

<p>Please keep in mind that these numbers are self-reported and nothing is done to verify them. Do not assume that each entry is legitimate. It may or may not be.</p>

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<p>URM boost = Black or Mexican</p>

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<p>^ Or Puerto Rican, or Native American.</p>

8

<p>Note that a 154/3.4 non-URM was admitted in the 07-08 cycle…further justification for questioning the hard numbers – be it to scrutinize the soft factors of the applicant or simply their legitimacy since they are self-reported stats.</p>

9

<p>The conventional wisdom – which can be buttressed with circumstantial evidence – is that race can be worth as much as about 13 LSAT points plus about 0.3 GPA.</p>

10

<p>Thanks for the info, guys. It clears up a lot</p>