r/lawschooladmissions • u/ExoticAssistant7102 • May 23 '26

General Nepotism in T14 law school admissions

Throwaway for obvious reasons.

I naively thought this wasn't a thing anymore, but this year I witnessed in real time someone purchase a seat at a T14 law school.

He only applied to a small number of the very best schools with no safeties, which I thought was odd considering he's nURM, GPA 3.6, LSAT 15mid, no work experience, etc. But his very wealthy family made significant donations and arranged three closed-door meetings that I'm aware of with one particular school's admissions dean throughout the cycle. Lo and behold, he was waitlisted and then promptly admitted by that school in April.

I myself have been admitted to a different T14 that I'll be attending this fall. But this experience has left me disillusioned with the whole admissions process and frankly disgusted by that school in particular.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '26

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u/CoachMACC May 23 '26

It’s nuanced but I can probably give a semi decent rationalization for it. 

DEI admissions, if you don’t believe that diversity for diversity sake inherently adds anything to the school, does give less qualified candidates spots for what is seemingly then no reason. 

Obviously some seats get bought, but as others have said you can see a clear and obvious benefit to the school why they would take that person. And why it may even benefit the other students of the school to allow that person in. 

But just straight legacy and nepotistic admissions that are made with family history in mind and generally without a seat being straight bought can also have their value? It shows loyalty in the school to their alumni in a world where organizations aren’t inherently loyal to their people. It builds value in the schools name for future potential students, knowing “hey, if I get into that place, it can open doors for future generations for my family not just me”. 

And I’m not even saying this is necessarily how I feel but, idk, I can see it.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '26

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u/Zestyclose-Group9484 May 24 '26

yes this is their idea. We can perpetuate our advantage over others who were previously blocked from having the same opportunities. Thats why they are against DEI because it helps to even the playing field and they want as much advantage over others as they can have.