Law School Application Trends in the Wake of SCOTUS and DEIA Developments
In a recent interview with U.S. News & World Report, in the context of recent US Supreme Court cases concerning discrimination in university admissions and DEIA trends, RPJ’s Heidi Reavis debunks some common myths surrounding the law school application process today. Ms. Reavis emphasizes what has become the crucial role of the personal statement, debunking the belief that law schools overlook this component. She underscores how, “in an otherwise impersonal, data-driven process” infused with possible bias, manipulation and inflation, the personal statement provides applicants with an essential opportunity to showcase their writing abilities, articulate their goals, and demonstrate their fit for the program – as well as impart critical personal information underlying the applicant’s wellbeing and success.
As the law school application process becomes increasingly impersonal and uniform, ostensibly to promote fairness and avoid bias, the personal statement affords applicants a platform if not the only platform to express their identity, demonstrate their advocacy skills, and articulate how they would seek to impact the world around them as a lawyer. Given the changing times around us and recent efforts to reverse if not outlaw DEIA measures, the personal statement can also address why a particular law school environment is believed to be a safe and fertile platform for the student’s personal, academic and long-term needs.
Ms. Reavis also cautions against the misconception that retaking the LSAT entails no risks, explaining that such a decision could inadvertently delay the submission of an application and negatively impact the timing of admissions decisions, particularly given that most law schools follow a rolling admissions process (to the extent they share their admissions process at all).
Lastly, Ms. Reavis challenges the idea that there is only one prescribed route to law school, encouraging applicants to embrace their unique journeys. By so doing, they can distinguish themselves in a highly competitive applicant pool and possibly meld their legal education and training with their practical interests and passions down the road.
Read the full article here.
This article is intended as a general discussion of these issues only and is not to be considered legal advice or relied upon. For more information, please contact RPJ Partner Helen D. “Heidi” Reavis who counsels clients in areas of corporate operations and management, employment matters and dispute resolution, and media and intellectual property law.