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I'm sure most of you are already aware, but just to add context for those who don't, the case is currently on this year's fall docket and it involves the question of whether publicly funded Universities should continue being allowed to use race as a factor when making admissions/scholarship decisions. I do want to preface my question by saying that I am aware and respectful of the fact that this is a very emotional and divisive topic for many people, and my question only pertains to the practical consequences of the decision as it relates to Law School admissions. My intention here is not to spark a debate about the merits or shortcomings of the policy itself, or give any personal opinions about it.

Many who follow the court closely anticipate that it is more likely than not that Affirmative Action policies currently being practiced by most Universities will be ruled unconstitutional. To be specific, this case would only apply to public universities only. If it is struck down, the ruling likely would not take effect until the 2016 admissions cycle.

All that being said, I am a White Male from a middle class family, and I am wondering whether it would be better for me to forgo the 2015 admissions cycle and wait until 2016 to apply for law school in the case that Affirmative Action is struck down. Would my chances of admissions be improved? Would my chances of receiving higher scholarship offers be improved? The only context I will give is that my top choice is a publicly funded Law School. I'm not posting my LSAT/GPA info or my top school choice because I would like to keep this conversation specifically about the implications of the possible overturning of Affirmative Action with regard to my race alone, and not about the merit based factors of my application.

Thanks guys. Any thoughts or responses are welcome, just please be respectful to others!

Any improvement on your chances would be negligible at best. Also, there is no way of knowing what the decision will be or what its impact will be.

There are lots of reasons to apply or forego an app cycle. Just my two cents, but I don't think this is a very good reason to forego an app cycle.

Certainly won't impact scholarship dollars. Can't imagine any admissions impact either unless you're talking about a shit school.

Out of curiosity, when would the ruling actually take effect? And whenever this is, wouldn't admissions have to account for it immediately?

This is silly. Just retake if you're that borderline.

You should read up on the effectiveness of prop 209 in CA if you're interested. If I recall correctly, most schools have figured out ways around it, such as Berkeley's socioeconomic questionnaire.

Rigo wrote:This is silly. Just retake if you're that borderline.

It has nothing to do with being accepted, I'm just asking If all things being equal would there be a difference. There are other reasons why I may forgo the 2015 cycle, this would just be an additional factor if it would make a difference.

People can read your post history, there's no reason to be coy about your numbers or the school in question.

With those numbers it's not going to matter when you apply to UT. I think you should be in regardless, they are hurting for candidates with high LSATs, especially in state candidates.

Eta: Can't see anything affecting scholarships either

OK so you have an OK GPA and a 168 and want to go to UT. You're going to get in and get some kind of scholarship. It would be insane to wait a year because of some idea like this (though likely not insane for a variety of other reasons). If you want more money, retake in December.