Is there an anti-conservative/GOP bias in LS admissions? Forum

[RaleighStClair]

What do you all think? I've worked on Republican campaigns and had internships in DC for conservative organizations; my ideology is one of the things I'm most passionate about. Do you think it would be against my best interests to speak at length about my political persuasion (development thereof, struggles, convictions etc.) in a personal statement?
It's pretty common knowledge that most law schools' professors and students are predominantly liberal (or at least not conservative) and I'm not sure if this separation from the pack would be viewed in some way as a good thing (diversity? hah) or if it would would come back to bite me. I have a friend at HLS who is very familiar with the admissions process and she seems to think it could only help.
Any opinions would be much appreciated.

[kdw94780]

I've wondered about the same thing. I think if you were a liberal applying to a conservative school, it would not make a difference. But IMO, a lot of liberals are super hostile to conservatives. I mean we're "terrorists" or "bigots" if we disagree with any of their ideas. However, if you're friend from HLS says it can help, then why not.

[Samara]

I've wondered about the same thing. I think if you were a liberal applying to a conservative school, it would not make a difference. But IMO, a lot of liberals are super hostile to conservatives. I mean we're "terrorists" or "bigots" if we disagree with any of their ideas. However, if you're friend from HLS says it can help, then why not.

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[MumofCad]

It all depends on how you address it. In general, regardless of persuasion, you should tread carefully on highly inflammatory topics or speaking in a manner about a politically-charged topic in a way that shows you lack an understanding of the issue from a comprehensive, nuanced position. So go easy on the political statements - not because you are conservative, but just because this type of thing requires a delicate balance of aplomb and diplomacy that may be difficult to execute.

If you are just talking about your experience working on conservative campaigns and in conservative advocacy from the perspective of what you learned about getting to a goal, then go for it. A political disagreement won't hurt your chances in any way.

[094320]

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[RaleighStClair]

It's all this immediate inclination to jump to hostile stereotypes that scares me about mentioning it at all. Then again, it's all on my resume anyway - and I certainly wouldn't remove it, as I wouldn't have much of a resume left.

MumofCad,
I know exactly what you mean, and I think that's really good advice. I definitely won't be advocating DoMA or anything. If I go through with it, it will be more a discussion of my progression of thought and development as a person.

Does anyone know of law schools that are more conservative than others? I've heard George Mason might be.

[Real Madrid]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess Notre Dame and BYU. Also, any southern public school with the exception of UVA and UF.

[Blessedassurance]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvSjiq1pLVY

[094320]

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[MumofCad]

Does anyone know of law schools that are more conservative than others? I've heard George Mason might be.

I've heard of poorly thought-out PS defending a Women's Right to Choose when applying to Catholic schools. But yeah BYU would also be a poor choice for that type of statement.

I had a few visiting profs from GMU as an undergrad. Hard to say how conservative they were really on domestic issues - they were all foreign policy hawks though. I really don't think it matters unless you are being controversial or offensive. Most US law schools look to have a diverse student body with different worldviews, regardless of their conservative or liberal faculty bias.

[d34d9823]

I've wondered about the same thing. I think if you were a liberal applying to a conservative school, it would not make a difference. But IMO, a lot of liberals are super hostile to conservatives. I mean we're "terrorists" or "bigots" if we disagree with any of their ideas. However, if you're friend from HLS says it can help, then why not.

You sound like a racist. And I say that as a moderate.

[Real Madrid]

I think it would be a poor choice to select a law school based on its general idealogical reputation. In general, you should choose law schools based on what work you want to do and where you want to work after graduation and the ability of the school to place you there. You'll find a group of like-minded people (and professors) at most law schools you attend. I very much doubt it's going to hurt you to have it on your resume, but as MomofCad said, tread delicately in a personal statement (in either idealogical direction).

+1.

Ann Coulter, for instance went to Cornell for UG (which is known to be very liberal) and Michigan for law school (which I would imagine is also liberal). The political ideology obviously didn't sway her views to the left. You should go where your job prospects are best in the field you are interested in.

[Glock]

Private biases are a bitch. Moderate it.

[shoeshine]

I personally don't think there is a big bias either way. However, when I sat in at a Q and A session with the admissions dean at my school (a T-14), he made reference to the fact that they do try "balance" the diversity and ideologies of the entering class. So maybe they are trying to even out the conservative and liberal students?

[Blessedassurance]

You should apply to Regent University. It was founded by Pat Robertson, it doesn't get any better than this.

Here's the kicker: When Oral Roberts University shut down it's law school in 1986, it sent its library to what eventually became Regent University. Guess who went to Oral Roberts for Law School? Michele Bachmann.

[RaleighStClair]

I think it would be a poor choice to select a law school based on its general idealogical reputation. In general, you should choose law schools based on what work you want to do and where you want to work after graduation and the ability of the school to place you there. You'll find a group of like-minded people (and professors) at most law schools you attend. I very much doubt it's going to hurt you to have it on your resume, but as MomofCad said, tread delicately in a personal statement (in either idealogical direction).

+1.

Ann Coulter, for instance went to Cornell for UG (which is known to be very liberal) and Michigan for law school (which I would imagine is also liberal). The political ideology obviously didn't sway her views to the left. You should go where your job prospects are best in the field you are interested in.

Yeah...the politics of a school is definitely very low on my list of considerations (if at all). I was just curious.

So the general consensus is that an issue-neutral piece based more on a life story than anything else is a decent idea for a personal statement? I don't really know what else to write about. I was prez of my fraternity, done some volunteer work...but I never cured cancer or anything.

In hindsight, this thread may have been more appropriate for the PS forum, apologies.

[RaleighStClair]

I personally don't think there is a big bias either way. However, when I sat in at a Q and A session with the admissions dean at my school (a T-14), he made reference to the fact that they do try "balance" the diversity and ideologies of the entering class. So maybe they are trying to even out the conservative and liberal students?

This makes me happy.

[NZA]

I just wanted to post in response to what is certainly the worst question yet asked on this forum.

I mean really? Really? This is a serious question?

[RaleighStClair]

I just wanted to post in response to what is certainly the worst question yet asked on this forum.

I mean really? Really? This is a serious question?

Can you elaborate?

[ihhwap1]

.

[monarchylover]

George Mason

[NZA]

I just wanted to post in response to what is certainly the worst question yet asked on this forum.

I mean really? Really? This is a serious question?

Can you elaborate?

Nope.

[Blessedassurance]

Robert Bork once taught at Yale if it helps.

[RaleighStClair]

I just wanted to post in response to what is certainly the worst question yet asked on this forum.

I mean really? Really? This is a serious question?

Can you elaborate?

Nope.

Awesome.

Robert Bork once taught at Yale if it helps.

God bless Bork.

OP I've faced similar concerns as well with my PS. I've come to the conclusion that as long as you're not really preachy or like in-your-face about anything (think Glenn Beck or Michael Moore), I think you'll be fine. Just be likeable. Don't talk about the issue, talk about yourself and how you've grown as a person working for causes x, y, and z.

I think TCR is just not to be a dick, no matter what your ideology. Remember, it's a personal statement, not an argumentative paper on the politics of issue x.

Thanks man, I'll keep that in mind!

[kdw94780]

I've wondered about the same thing. I think if you were a liberal applying to a conservative school, it would not make a difference. But IMO, a lot of liberals are super hostile to conservatives. I mean we're "terrorists" or "bigots" if we disagree with any of their ideas. However, if you're friend from HLS says it can help, then why not.

You sound like a racist. And I say that as a moderate.

lol i have a black mother and white father. anyway, acrossthelake, if you at all thought i was serious about stereotyping all liberals and conservatives, then i think it's time you get off the computer and start living.