My best friend is applying to law school, and he says law schools give special consideration to students from varied racial and ethnic groups. Is that true?

MT: Law schools are interested in increasing the diversity of the legal profession. We are all looking for candidates who will make great lawyers, and having diverse experiences can enhance a candidate’s application. While we do not give a preference to applicants based on race, ethnicity, or gender; during the general application process, we give consideration to how candidate’s backgrounds or experiences have had an impact on their preparation, interests, and contributions to the law as substantiated in the application.

TH: While law schools value diversity and are aware of and troubled by the small percentage of some racial and ethnic groups in law school, it is important to note that there is no free ride to law school. You must work hard to make yourself a competitive and desirable applicant. Do well in undergraduate school, give yourself ample time to prepare for the LSAT, acquaint yourself with the overall application process, and apply early. It is also important to note that some law schools are prohibited from asking about and considering race in their admission process. You should not take this to mean that these law schools are not interested in attracting diverse candidates.

PB: First, the more diverse the classroom composition, the better and more interesting the discussions will be. Second, the legal profession does not have enough lawyers representing all facets of society. Third, as our country continues to become more diverse, we need people to explain, assist, and represent everyone.
For each of these reasons, law schools are sensitive to the underrepresented populations. While no one admitted to law school gets a free pass, the goals and the mission of the school and the needs of society, especially in the community where the law school is located, can all be important considerations for law schools.