Diverse enough for diversity fellowship? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've been looking at a lot of firms diversity fellowship programs for 1L's and trying to figure out if I could have a shot. I'm white, upper middle class from the burbs of a big city. But, I'm a Mormon, which is unique and certainly diverse. I served a two year mission to a third world country as part of this. Please don't make this a religious debate, but do you think I could have a decent diversity claim, or do they only like the more liberal traditional types of diversity (racial, LGBT, disability, etc.)?

Advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[NinerFan]

I've been looking at a lot of firms diversity fellowship programs for 1L's and trying to figure out if I could have a shot. I'm white, upper middle class from the burbs of a big city. But, I'm a Mormon, which is unique and certainly diverse. I served a two year mission to a third world country as part of this. Please don't make this a religious debate, but do you think I could have a decent diversity claim, or do they only like the more liberal traditional types of diversity (racial, LGBT, disability, etc.)?

Advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

IMO it's for URMs or LGBT type diversity, but that's pure spec. I think the Mormon argument is a weak one, though. I wouldn't consider that to be diversity.

[20130312]

I think it depends where you're applying. Obviously, this would be silly to send off to a firm in Utah, but maybe you have a shot with... somewhere that Mormons are under-represented?

[ph14]

I've been looking at a lot of firms diversity fellowship programs for 1L's and trying to figure out if I could have a shot. I'm white, upper middle class from the burbs of a big city. But, I'm a Mormon, which is unique and certainly diverse. I served a two year mission to a third world country as part of this. Please don't make this a religious debate, but do you think I could have a decent diversity claim, or do they only like the more liberal traditional types of diversity (racial, LGBT, disability, etc.)?

Advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

No.

[Anonymous User]

What's the consensus (if there is one) on non-URM hispanics?

[ph14]

What's the consensus (if there is one) on non-URM hispanics?

Apply.

[bostonlawchick]

I've been looking at a lot of firms diversity fellowship programs for 1L's and trying to figure out if I could have a shot. I'm white, upper middle class from the burbs of a big city. But, I'm a Mormon, which is unique and certainly diverse. I served a two year mission to a third world country as part of this. Please don't make this a religious debate, but do you think I could have a decent diversity claim, or do they only like the more liberal traditional types of diversity (racial, LGBT, disability, etc.)?

Advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I doubt it. Firms want diversity because their clients want diversity, and I don't know that clients care that much about religious diversity. You can't tell you're a Mormon just by looking at you, and you probably shouldn't be discussing it with clients, so I just don't see how it would matter to a firm.

[Anonymous User]

What's the consensus (if there is one) on non-URM hispanics?

Apply.

Even if not dark skinded?

[TommyK]

Mormons are not under-represented in biglaw. If anything, there's probably a disproportionately high number.

[Anonymous User]

I think it depends where you're applying. Obviously, this would be silly to send off to a firm in Utah, but maybe you have a shot with... somewhere that Mormons are under-represented?

OP here, yeah, def not Utah or Idaho. Other than that, we're under-represented mostly everywhere. 2% of Americans. I was thinking also along the lines that while Mormons are Christians, and Christians are the obvious majority in America, our lifestyle is very different than most Americans.

[sasuke]

What's the consensus (if there is one) on non-URM hispanics?

Apply.

Even if not dark skinded?

Lol?

[Doritos]

lol

no.

I mean sure, you can apply, I think most say "we accept more than racial diversity" so they can avoid a lawsuit or angry white people but you probably won't get it. I mean whats the name of the fellowship? If its like the "Martin Luther King Diversity Fellowship of Struggles and Discrimination" they aren't looking for you man.

[Anonymous User]

What's the consensus (if there is one) on non-URM hispanics?

Apply.

Even if not dark skinded?

Lol?

Thanks?

[IAFG]

I think it depends where you're applying. Obviously, this would be silly to send off to a firm in Utah, but maybe you have a shot with... somewhere that Mormons are under-represented?

OP here, yeah, def not Utah or Idaho. Other than that, we're under-represented mostly everywhere. 2% of Americans. I was thinking also along the lines that while Mormons are Christians, and Christians are the obvious majority in America, our lifestyle is very different than most Americans.

That's not what "under-represented" means. If 2% of lawyers are Mormons, they're adequately represented in law.

But I think for firms, they're just looking for people who look like minorities.

[azntwice]

yeah, firms are looking for ethnic or LGBTQ or low-income minorities... i don't think i've ever heard of religious diversity being mentioned.

[Anonymous User]

Does a straight guy claiming to be homosexual have a shot at diversity fellowships and scholarships? Is there some test that guys have to pass, or do they have to prove it somehow? If so, what proof would be required?

[20130312]

.

[Anonymous User]

^ Umm... I can't imagine there's any sort of test, lol, but if you're straight don't claim to be LGBT just to be considered for diversity fellowships and scholarships.

Are non-URM minorities (Indian Asians, etc.) considered for "diversity fellowships" even if they're over-represented in law schools/the legal profession

[IAFG]

Does a straight guy claiming to be homosexual have a shot at diversity fellowships and scholarships? Is there some test that guys have to pass, or do they have to prove it somehow? If so, what proof would be required?

All you have to do is never been seen with a woman for as long as you're interacting with people who could possibly find you out, including anyone who has ever read your résumé or firm bio.

[moandersen]

^ Umm... I can't imagine there's any sort of test, lol, but if you're straight don't claim to be LGBT just to be considered for diversity fellowships and scholarships.

Are non-URM minorities (Indian Asians, etc.) considered for "diversity fellowships" even if they're over-represented in law schools/the legal profession

Yup - I got my 1L SA through a diversity program.

[Anonymous User]

^ Umm... I can't imagine there's any sort of test, lol, but if you're straight don't claim to be LGBT just to be considered for diversity fellowships and scholarships.

Are non-URM minorities (Indian Asians, etc.) considered for "diversity fellowships" even if they're over-represented in law schools/the legal profession

Yup - I got my 1L SA through a diversity program.

As did I. URM is different than diverse (from a law firm, corporate perspective)

[Anonymous User]

Does a straight guy claiming to be homosexual have a shot at diversity fellowships and scholarships? Is there some test that guys have to pass, or do they have to prove it somehow? If so, what proof would be required?

All you have to do is never been seen with a woman for as long as you're interacting with people who could possibly find you out, including anyone who has ever read your résumé or firm bio.

At Christmas party...
Employer: "Who's that?" Pointing at woman on arm and child holding my hand
Me: "I just couldn't take the body odor of men anymore, so I decided to jump off the path of sin and create life."

Seems like the employer can't fire the employee at this point.

[BlakcMajikc]

I've been looking at a lot of firms diversity fellowship programs for 1L's and trying to figure out if I could have a shot. I'm white, upper middle class from the burbs of a big city. But, I'm a Mormon, which is unique and certainly diverse. I served a two year mission to a third world country as part of this. Please don't make this a religious debate, but do you think I could have a decent diversity claim, or do they only like the more liberal traditional types of diversity (racial, LGBT, disability, etc.)?

Advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I doubt it. Firms want diversity because their clients want diversity, and I don't know that clients care that much about religious diversity. You can't tell you're a Mormon just by looking at you, and you probably shouldn't be discussing it with clients, so I just don't see how it would matter to a firm.

I don't have an opinion about firms caring about religious diversity, but I'm not sure about that line of reasoning b/c LGBT could fall into that same category as well...

[CanadianWolf]

Mormon might work in NYC & DC if Mitt Romney wins the general election.

[ladybug89]

^ Umm... I can't imagine there's any sort of test, lol, but if you're straight don't claim to be LGBT just to be considered for diversity fellowships and scholarships.

Are non-URM minorities (Indian Asians, etc.) considered for "diversity fellowships" even if they're over-represented in law schools/the legal profession

Yup - I got my 1L SA through a diversity program.

As did I. URM is different than diverse (from a law firm, corporate perspective)

ha, awesome! I didn't know that.