Applying for 1L Diversity Positions as a Biracial Canidate Forum

[brokeharvard]

I am half Asian and half white. I'd like to take advantage of law firm 1L diversity programs as well as broad placement programs/fellowships run by Bar Associations and the like. Do you think I qualify as a biracial candidate? I'm sure they won't turn me away, but I have heard the application process is rather onerous. Is it worth my time?

[Anonymous User]

It's hard to give a bright-line answer, but I do have some anecdotal evidence.

A section-mate of mine who is half-black secured 5+ callbacks & 3 offers for 1L SA diversity positions.

Yet, a half-Latino friend of mine completely struck out with all of his applications.

But depending on your school, and your grades, your chances may be higher.

[brokeharvard]

It's hard to give a bright-line answer, but I do have some anecdotal evidence.

A section-mate of mine who is half-black secured 5+ callbacks & 3 offers for 1L SA diversity positions.

Yet, a half-Latino friend of mine completely struck out with all of his applications.

But depending on your school, and your grades, your chances may be higher.

So I assume you are implying that their difference in success was due to racial makeup?

Unfortunately my college grades were on the lower side of mediocre (I scored well on the LSAT). I go to CCN.

If you don't mind me asking, what school do you go to?

[Anonymous User]

When I did my 2L SA at a NYC firm with a huge institutional client, we had a lot of contact with 1L diversity-program hires summering in-house with the client. Of the three, two were Cantonese-speaking Chinese and one was a gay Hispanic. I believe that firms and corporations don't care too much what kind of diversity you bring so long as they can count you as diverse. Things like UG prestige and WE do seem pretty important, though.

[Anonymous User]

I think you should apply. I did a 1L SA. The firm hired two and the other 1L was a white woman, recently divorced, 40 something who recently come out. The 1L SA from the prior year was asian. I think it just depends on who you are being compared to when you apply.

Just apply! Apply to EVERYTHING...the market is tight for 1L SA and 2L SA positions. Don't let your concerns about being biracial stop you, but make sure you mention your "diversity" in all your written materials.

[ipguy]

They will 100% count you as a minority on their marketing forms, you can 100% apply.

[sumner]

They will 100% count you as a minority on their marketing forms, you can 100% apply.

this.

I think in a different context like college admissions asian is not considered a "historically disadvantaged minority" but in law firm diversity it probably counts and there's nothing to lose from trying anyway.

[rad lulz]

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