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I'd like to see examples of how being a URM actually helps in getting into schools and receiving $. I mean, I understand being Mexican will give me a slight edge when applying comes around, but exactly how much of an edge? I've been reading several threads in here but can't seem to find examples of how a URM wouldn't have gotten into X if he wasn't a URM, or examples of how someone got X amount of scholarship dollars for being URM. Any examples? Please share and if you can tell me what school that of course would be great, especially if in California. Thanks!

You can't really quantify the boost. Check out LSN and look at different cycles for MA applicants, and you will get somewhat of an idea of how the URM boost plays out.

blackbirdfly wrote:You can't really quantify the boost. Check out LSN and look at different cycles for MA applicants, and you will get somewhat of an idea of how the URM boost plays out.

Will do, but surely someone who has gone through the experience of receiving help for being a URM can show their example? Or no?

affirmative action is outlawed in Cali, FYI.

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runinthefront wrote:Your question has been answered.

By you it has. Good thing there's hundreds of other users who might also have an opinion.

Not that I don't appreciate yours.

StillCutty wrote:affirmative action is outlawed in Cali, FYI.

How does this affect benefiting from being a URM applying to LS in Cali? Are you suggesting it means nothing for Cali law schools? Interesting.

It helps too much. It hurts the people it is intended to help.

I'm not saying anything other than it means you don't get a "guaranteed" boost like you might in other states. Whether or not it counts for something, I don't know.

However, I imagine mexicans are not really under represented in California...perhaps in the higher education school system, but I would guess there are plenty of high achieving cuates out there to reflect/represent the percentage of MAs in the state population

Mr. Pancakes wrote:It helps too much. It hurts the people it is intended to help.

Come on man, please explain. This tells me nothing. Thanks.

Mr. Pancakes wrote:It helps too much. It hurts the people it is intended to help.

Don't get in trouble for AA trolling...

StillCutty wrote:I'm not saying anything other than it means you don't get a "guaranteed" boost like you might in other states. Whether or not it counts for something, I don't know.

However, I imagine mexicans are not really under represented in California...perhaps in the higher education school system, but I would guess there are plenty of high achieving cuates out there to reflect/represent the percentage of MAs in the state population

Very interesting, so I will scratch off getting any help for being a URM in Cali then. Oh well.

blackbirdfly wrote:

Mr. Pancakes wrote:It helps too much. It hurts the people it is intended to help.

Don't get in trouble for AA trolling...

"AA"?

I wouldn't "scratch" it off, just understand that its a different system. Depending on the year, your sex, your background etc. you could be given significant aid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_209

Being a MA URM going through the current cycle, I can tell you that Mexicans definitely get a much smaller boost than other URMs. I have a mid 160s LSAT/3.5 gpa with decent full time WE, applied early, and have no C&F issues. I've only performed slightly better than my numbers would indicate if I were not a URM. I've been shut out of the T14 while other URMs with similar numbers have snagged H and other T14s. However, I've also received big money at regionals that I probably wouldn't have otherwise gotten. Take that for what it is.

You're gonna have to kill the LSAT and proceed as if you're not URM. Just get the highest score you can. Also, see twenty's cycle from last year.

BentleyLittle wrote:Being a MA URM going through the current cycle, I can tell you that Mexicans definitely get a much smaller boost than other URMs. I have a mid 160s LSAT/3.5 gpa with decent full time WE, applied early, and have no C&F issues. I've only performed slightly better than my numbers would indicate if I were not a URM. I've been shut out of the T14 while other URMs with similar numbers have snagged H and other T14s. However, I've also received big money at regionals that I probably wouldn't have otherwise gotten. Take that for what it is.

You're gonna have to kill the LSAT and proceed as if you're not URM. Just get the highest score you can. Also, see twenty's cycle from last year.

Excellent! This is what I was looking for. Also, what did you mean by, "see twenty's cycle from last year". Not sure what that means. Sorry, new to all this.

tangelo wrote:

blackbirdfly wrote:

Mr. Pancakes wrote:It helps too much. It hurts the people it is intended to help.

Don't get in trouble for AA trolling...

"AA"?

Affirmative action. Just a reminder (because Mr. Pancakes seems to need it) that discussions of the merits of AA are not allowed outside of the thread devoted specifically to that purpose. (In the lounge, with a not-super-clear title about privilege.)

StillCutty wrote:affirmative action is outlawed in Cali, FYI.

It still happens. The data exists for UC schools at least at the undergraduate level and it shows that URMs have statistically lower numbers on average. As far as the MA boost goes, its noticeably small, probably the smallest URM boost there is, but its still there. As an MA you still want to be 167+ for T6 at the very least. Not sure how it affects scholarship info as I haven't gotten any.