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While I am "out" in the sense that if someone asks about my sexuality I will tell them, I don't really like to advertise my sexuality, especially in a work setting or school setting where it shouldn't really matter and may effect the way some people, whether fairly or not will judge my character or my work. I noticed LSAC recently updated their demographic information to include sexual orientation and so far I've selected "prefer not to disclose".

For the purposes of applying to law school, would disclosing that I am LGBT really give me any kind of "edge" even if it is a small one? Are LGBT people really an "under-represented minority" in law school? I see no reason to believe the numbers in law school would be much different than in the population at large.

No. LGBT is not considered URM for admissions. Only African-American/Mexican-American and possibly Puerto Rican are considered URM for law school admissions purposes. A good diversity statement may help your cause, but you won't get the bump people generally associate with URM.

Synapse2018 wrote:No. LGBT is not considered URM for admissions. Only African-American/Mexican-American and possibly Puerto Rican are considered URM for law school admissions purposes. A good diversity statement may help your cause, but you won't get the bump people generally associate with URM.

Also Native American, I believe. LGBT is a soft factor at best, though.

t14orbust22 wrote:While I am "out" in the sense that if someone asks about my sexuality I will tell them, I don't really like to advertise my sexuality, especially in a work setting or school setting where it shouldn't really matter and may effect the way some people, whether fairly or not will judge my character or my work. I noticed LSAC recently updated their demographic information to include sexual orientation and so far I've selected "prefer not to disclose".

For the purposes of applying to law school, would disclosing that I am LGBT really give me any kind of "edge" even if it is a small one? Are LGBT people really an "under-represented minority" in law school? I see no reason to believe the numbers in law school would be much different than in the population at large.

CUNY Law School in NYC has a large LGBT population. I'm not sure about an actual bump, but it'll definitely help your cause if you apply there.

L_William_W wrote:
CUNY Law School in NYC has a large LGBT population. I'm not sure about an actual bump, but it'll definitely help your cause if you apply there.

But why would OP want to go to a school that didn't place a single student in a firm larger than 10 attorneys in c/o 2017?

hoos89 wrote:

L_William_W wrote:
CUNY Law School in NYC has a large LGBT population. I'm not sure about an actual bump, but it'll definitely help your cause if you apply there.

But why would OP want to go to a school that didn't place a single student in a firm larger than 10 attorneys in c/o 2017?

Ouch!

Hmmmm interesting question.