Towards a Sociology of Law School Admissions

34 Journal of Legal Education 374 (1984)

Univ. of Wisconsin Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1294

12 Pages Posted: 26 Sep 2014

Date Written: September 24, 2014

Abstract

The primary function of the admissions process is to select the "best" candidates; it is hardly surprising, therefore, that the process produces a group of students who represent an elite in terms of prior academic accomplishments. What is less often realized, however, is that a broad range of social and personal characteristics are highly correlated with academic achievement and the other criteria used to measure excellence. As a result, in selecting what are understood to be the best students, the admissions process is also-sometimes directly and purposefully, sometimes indirectly and unknowingly-playing a major role in determining such matters as the social class origins and ethnic composition of the bar and perhaps also the types of nonlegal skills lawyers will have. Of course, I make this assertion realizing full well that the admissions process does not determine who will become a lawyer, or even who will go to law school; it determines only who will have the opportunity to attend. Law school admission is but the first of several hurdles. But it is a critical one.

Suggested Citation

Erlanger, Howard S., Towards a Sociology of Law School Admissions (September 24, 2014). 34 Journal of Legal Education 374 (1984), Univ. of Wisconsin Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1294, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2500907

Howard S. Erlanger (Contact Author)

University of Wisconsin Law School ( email )

975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.wisc.edu/facstaff/biog.php?iID=266

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