University of Maryland School of Law : Catalog, 1988-1989

4. Personal Statement. Although
written statements by the applicant
are not required, they are
encouraged and may be very
helpful to supplement the information
provided on the form,
particularly if the questions on
the application do not elicit information
which the candidate
feels is relevant to a judgment
on his or her admission. If a
statement is submitted, the
committee will consider it.
5. Other. There are other factors
which are substantially unrelated
to the prediction of law
school academic performance,
but which nonetheless influence
selection for admission.
Some of the factors indicate
qualities important to the legal
profession while others are
useful to enrich the educational
atmosphere of the school.
Among the factors considered
to be significant indications o{
qualities important to the profession
are: handicaps overcome; leadership;
community service; special
skills or background; and stability,
integrity and maturity.
Factors considered for their
contribution to the educational atmosphere
of the school or for other
special purposes include:
A. Minority Status. Racial discrimination
is a major problem in
American society. Victims of that
discrimination may provide a
unique perspective on the law, yet
that very discrimination may make
it more difficult for them to obtain
as high an academic record as
other applicants. Thus, sole reliance
on the record would tend to
perpetuate past discrimination.
Moreover, as noted in other paragraphs,
overcoming social handicaps
and the possession of a background
which, when combined
with legal training, promises to
make a special contribution to the
community are considered in the
admissions process. These factors
are particularly relevant to black
applicants. Therefore special attention
is given the applications of
black candidates. When an applicant
from another minority group
presents similar circumstances, he
or she may receive comparable
consideration. All applicants to
law school are carefully screened so
that only those with a reasonably
high probability for academic success
are accepted.
B. Diversity of Experience or Back'
ground. Our application form provides
the applicant with an opportunity
to make a statement on
matters relevant to admission. We
expect our applicants will come
from different backgrounds and will
have many different reasons for
wanting to study law. We are not
seeking to cast our students into
one particular acceptable mold. Indeed,
if an applicant will provide a
background of work experience, life
experience, unusual skills or talents,
college activity, political activity
or other unusual qualifications
which will add a new and
unusual perspective to the law
school student body, this may work
in his or her favor.
International students, and others
whose undergraduate education
was completed outside the United
States, should take particular care
in providing to the admissions
committee a full explanation of
their educational program and an
evaluation of the quality of their
academic performance. Financial
aid is not available for international
students coming to the
United States on a student visa.
C. Residency. The law faculty and
the admissions committee strongly
believe in the value of substantial
out-of-state representation in the
student body. Among its other advantages,
it promotes the diversity
of experiences in the student body
which we consider so valuable.
Under current policy, nonresidents
of Maryland may constitute approximately
25 percent of each entering
class. Recently, this limitation
has not resulted in
substantially different admission
standards for residents and nonresidents
of Maryland.
D. Acceptance in a Prior Year. With
the approval of the director of admissions,
acceptance at the University
of Maryland School of Law
may be deferred for one year. Although
materials submitted in support
of the application need not be
submitted for the following year,
the deferred admission candidate
must submit a new application and
application fee in the following
year.
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