It's the result of a citizen initiative, I-200. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiative_200abujabal wrote:I've heard something about this, but I'm not sure about what the actuality of it is. Perhaps rozes or mcmand would have more insight. That said, looking at LSN, the URM graphs seem to be largely the same as the general pop graph, in that 164+ tends to get you accepted. Not sure how it plays into $$.DorkothyParker wrote:My understanding is that the state of Washington doesn't "allow" a URM bump. I've tried Googling, but can't really find much on that. Does anyone have any knowledge on that. I wrote my personal statement and while it hints at some "diversity" issues I've overcome (first generation student, low income), it is *not* a diversity statement. Will I need to create a statement that focuses on these issues as well as my being Mexican-American? Would that be helpful at all?
I'm a little stretched.
You can have a personal statement and/or a diversity statement discussing your background, your ethnicity, your race, and/or your gender, or anything else that's relevant to you and why you want to go to law school and why you are a good candidate for UW.
The difference is that there is no explicit boost for race or gender when your application is considered. The admissions office is prohibited by law from weighing that as a factor, even if it's visible on the face of your application. The admissions folks do look at applications holistically, so they will look at your whole application. And a compelling essay based on your URM identity might help, but not because you are an URM; it would be because you wrote something compelling that articulated why you should be at UW Law.
Whether you "need" to create a diversity statement is up to you. If you felt like you didn't get to spend enough time on diversity in your personal statement, then sure, make one. You have to decide how you want to make sure your application conveys everything you want UW to know about you.
Does that make things clear? Or just clear as mud? It's a very difficult position the admissions folks are in for any state university program in Washington, because obviously applicants are going to talk about these issues in their applications, but admissions must walk a tight rope by not giving a boost for URM status itself.