Light and Rand, p.9
extenuating circumstances.”
21
Prospective students are not asked to provide supplemental
materials, such as essays or letters of recommendation. Applicants may voluntarily identify their
gender or race “for statistical purposes only,” with the assurance that the information will not
affect the status of their application.
22
The School of Law’s annual cohort size is limited largely by classroom size and other
resource issues rather than by strict adherence to any particular numerical cutoff. That is, there is
no strictly recognized “full” complement of students admitted under the school’s rolling
admissions process. The three-member admissions committee undertakes an individual review
of each application, which includes the applicant’s answers to the questions, “Why do you want
to study law at the University of North Dakota?” and “Are there any additional matters which
you wish to be considered in support of your application?”
23
. The committee considers “[a]ll
factors which indicate reasonable prospect for success in law study and in the profession,”
including the applicant’s undergraduate record, LSAT score, and letters of recommendation.
Preference is given to those with “substantial ties to North Dakota.”
24
C.
“Soft” Affirmative Action at UND
UND links a commitment to diversity with the promotion of student learning: “As one of
the most diverse locations in North Dakota, we work hard to learn from differences and celebrate
21
Id. The admissions committee also may deny admission to applicants who meet the criteria but due to low
standardized test scores or low grade point averages are “evaluated to be high risk candidates for success at UND.”
University of North Dakota, Admission of New Freshmen, supra note 19.
22
See North Dakota University System, Electronic Undergraduate Application for Admission, available at
<http://www.rdb.und.nodak.edu/www_ea/plsql/ea_blank> (last visited Mar. 10, 2004).
23
See University of North Dakota School of Law application form (on file with the authors).
24
University of North Dakota School of Law, Admissions, available at
<http://www.law.und.nodak.edu/lawweb/admit/admissions.html> (last visited Mar. 10, 2004). The admissions
policies for the Medical School also hinge in large part upon individualized consideration of an applicants’ file.
Compared to other UND programs, however, state residency requirements are rigid: “Due to the large number of
qualified applicants from North Dakota, other non-North Dakota citizens are discouraged from applying.”
University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Admissions, available at
<http://www.med.und.nodak.edu/misc/Admit.htm> (last visited Mar. 10, 2004). Yet “[a]ny Native American,
regardless of state of residency, who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, may apply for admission
through the school’s minority program, Indians Into Medicine (INMED).” Id.
Convention