Why Won't They Let Me In?
[NOTE: Cross posted at De Novo]
No I'm not talking about clubs in Vegas, but actually this press release on behalf of an Army captain who thinks he is being denied admission to law schools because he served in Iraq. The key sentence is: "While having average and/or below average grades and LSAT scores..."
I'm never too fond of anyone with a sense of entitlement. This is just a perversion of the previous kid who thought he deserved to get in everywhere b/c of his numbers. Except this one wants schools to overlook the numbers and admit him for his valor. The United States government has a perfectly well-established process for awarding valor. A seat in Civ Pro is not one of them.
No I'm not talking about clubs in Vegas, but actually this press release on behalf of an Army captain who thinks he is being denied admission to law schools because he served in Iraq. The key sentence is: "While having average and/or below average grades and LSAT scores..."
I'm never too fond of anyone with a sense of entitlement. This is just a perversion of the previous kid who thought he deserved to get in everywhere b/c of his numbers. Except this one wants schools to overlook the numbers and admit him for his valor. The United States government has a perfectly well-established process for awarding valor. A seat in Civ Pro is not one of them.
posted by Armen Adzhemyan at 2:29 PM
7 Comments:
I couldn't agree more. I'm awed by bravery, but getcher fuckin LSAT scores up to where they need to be and then we'll have a conversation about admission to law school.
I don't see why this guy in particular is worthy of any special scorn. Lots of groups would like special treatment because of non-academic diversity, and life-accomplishment issues. Remember how mad we all are about Proposition 209? Maybe special treatment for people with active service in Iraq would increase diversity at law schools. It probably would. Rich, white men usually don't go out of their way to fight in wars.
Because he thinks he has a cause of action for law schools denying him admissions. Again, if you want to talk about admission policies in general, I'm all ears. And that's the point you miss. 209 and other issues deal with the process of admission, not the attributes of a single person. Maybe admitting this guy would increase diversity, maybe it wouldn't. Maybe the hispanic kid with stellar grades and exam scores can fill his role. Whatever the case may be, it's Bush League to equate the whining rant of an individual to overall discourse regarding admission standards.
So gripe all you want about Boalt's lack of emphasis on the LSATs, but don't tell you deserve to get in because you got a 180, or because you saved the lives of 15,000. Sorry, no deal.
I would like to pose a question to the masses regarding affirmative action.
Is there any credible evidence that diversity provides any tangible benefits to the other students besides whatever moral benefits it may or may not provide?
If you are tempted to point towards a study don't unless it is not put out by. . .The RAND corporation, the heritage foundation, the rainbow coalition, the ACLU, or any other bull-shit propagandists.
I urge the readers to not take 8:14's bait.
Armen,
This may come as a surprise, but I'm with you on this one. Even though he's a fellow combat vet, I'm still not inclined to hand the guy a seat in law school simply by virtue of that fact.
Now, what this whole debate misses is that there actually is affirmative action (of a sort) for veterans in this guy's position. Every prestigious law school I know of looks at subjective criteria when it evaluates its students. If this guy's grades and LSAT put him in the middle of the pack academically, then I'd wager his military credentials would help him out a great deal. I've talked with faculty friends at several law schools who say they look for life experience -- especially from places like the military -- in applicants. If this guy put together a decent file, and made a strong case in his letters and personal statements, I bet he'd have a better shot than retaining some lawyer to shame the law schools into taking him.
Captain, I'm not at all suprised actually. I'm sure you would agree with me that I don't deserve a silver star for heroically facing my Torts final (and those of you who had Moran or have her know that going through her exam is a lot like that Marine Corps ad where the Marine slays the dragon). I confess though, I did write the post somewhat tongue-in-cheek with you in mind. Anyway, at de novo, someone posted the attorney's letter. It's amusing to say the least.
Insh'allah things go well with you. Look forward to the updates. :)
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