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Well my other question sorta got ditched...but after doing some random reading on the site Im wondering about this "URM" status.

Mom is black, Trinidad descent. Dads whitey. I dont identify with anything because I grew up literally all over the world. (Ppl can never guess my background. I get everything from Thai to Iranian to Spanish)

So how black am I to a law school?

(No I am not looking for some unfair advantage. I just saw some boards talking about 'URM' and now Im curious.)

You are whatever you want to be. Be proud of who you are.

Also, Yes, I would say you are black.

Do you like pitbulls?

It would behoove you to be black on your law school apps, if that's the answer youre looking for...

dusk2k2 wrote:You are whatever you want to be. Be proud of who you are.

um thanks? lol. I should rephrase the question: Am I a URM or not?

Do you identify as black? If so, mark your LSAC information/law school applications as such. If you do not identify as black but wish to in order to gain URM status, very few people will hold it against you. Best of luck.

MrPapagiorgio wrote:Do you identify as black? If so, mark your LSAC information/law school applications as such. If you do not identify as black but wish to in order to gain URM status, very few people will hold it against you. Best of luck.

Ah ok. So its up to me then...Thanks!
I dont identify as 'black'...whatever that means. I identify/feel strongly connected to alot of things...but think I will mark 'black' for apps.
Follow up question: If I mark URM as black do I need to include that in my Diversity Statement? Atm my statement doesnt include anything about my multi-racial background, its about life-experiences etc which are much more compellingly 'diverse' than my half-blackness...

lulzalicious wrote:

MrPapagiorgio wrote:Do you identify as black? If so, mark your LSAC information/law school applications as such. If you do not identify as black but wish to in order to gain URM status, very few people will hold it against you. Best of luck.

Ah ok. So its up to me then...Thanks!
I dont identify as 'black'...whatever that means. I identify/feel strongly connected to alot of things...but think I will mark 'black' for apps.
Follow up question: If I mark URM as black do I need to include that in my Diversity Statement? Atm my statement doesnt include anything about my multi-racial background, its about life-experiences etc which are much more compellingly 'diverse' than my half-blackness...

Well, I didn't mean it like it is always up to you (as in you can't/shouldn't outright lie). But if you identify with black culture, then say so. And no, as far as your diversity statement goes, "diversity" is not synonymous with race or ethnicity. Many things can make you a diverse candidate (e.g. upbringing, work experiences).

MrPapagiorgio wrote:Well, I didn't mean it like it is always up to you (as in you can't/shouldn't outright lie). .

Yea that was understood lol, thank you for your replies

Patriot1208 wrote:Do you like pitbulls?

Seriously?

MrKappus wrote:

Patriot1208 wrote:Do you like pitbulls?

Seriously?

yes, 100%, the mike vick test is flawless

Patriot1208 wrote:

MrKappus wrote:

Patriot1208 wrote:Do you like pitbulls?

Seriously?

yes, 100%, the mike vick test is flawless

lols, I dont have any strong opinions regarding pitbulls...sorry

You know it's bad when I'm the only one giving real advice in a thread.

Pics?

bk187 wrote:Pics?

I concur. I think we'll be the judge of exactly how black you are sir.

mrtoren wrote:

bk187 wrote:Pics?

I concur. I think we'll be the judge of exactly how black you are sir.

Well pics would def clarify Im not a black SIR but not happening, sorry.

I am "just" 1/4 black and, from what I understand, the boost is not undercut in any way. Write a DS honestly explicating the specifics of your heritage, and no one who matters can give you any shit about checking black.

lulzalicious wrote:Well my other question sorta got ditched...but after doing some random reading on the site Im wondering about this "URM" status.

Mom is black, Trinidad descent. Dads whitey. I dont identify with anything because I grew up literally all over the world. (Ppl can never guess my background. I get everything from Thai to Iranian to Spanish)

So how black am I to a law school?

(No I am not looking for some unfair advantage. I just saw some boards talking about 'URM' and now Im curious.)

I don't think rich blacks should get breaks, so economics really should be a part of the equation. A high enough percentage of rich blacks who seek a legal education are afforded one, so the classic definition of URM does not fit them.

Nevertheless, having a black parent qualifies you not only in principle but by law. Even the old 1/16th rule - however retarded - still guides the thinking of many.

PDaddy wrote:
I don't think rich blacks should get breaks, so economics really should be a part of the equation. A high enough percentage of rich blacks who seek a legal education are afforded one, so the classic definition of URM does not fit them.

Nevertheless, having a black parent qualifies you not only in principle but by law. Even the old 1/16th rule - however retarded - still guides the thinking of many.

This is what I needed to know. Im not rich by any means...maybe till I was 18, but not since. I didnt realize race would play any part in admission to law schools, but if its any kind of boost I might as well let them know.

Thanks for all the replies.

It's a huge boost. If you are part black, I strongly suggest you check that box.

lulzalicious wrote:

PDaddy wrote:
I didnt realize race would play any part in admission to law schools, but if its any kind of boost I might as well let them know.

Anna Ivey (Former Dean of Chicago Law School) says that the African American boost is usually equivalent to a 10 point bump on the LSAT. Meaning that, for admissions purposes, a black candidate who scores a 165 is typically treated the same way as a white candidate who scores a 175. The data at LawSchoolNumbers seems to bear this out as well.

So, yeah, check the box.

lols, I got it guys, CHECK THE BOX thanks!

Actually, I should probably make it clear that this boost only applies if you are a US citizen. Non-citizens are not eligible for affirmative action of any kind. I only mention because your remark about "growing up all over the world" makes me wonder about your nationality.

vulpixie wrote: Non-citizens are not eligible for affirmative action of any kind.

[citation needed]

.