Unlike other factors, such as reputation among lawyers and judges, the profile of students is within a school's control. The council long has said its exam is but one of many factors that schools should weigh when reviewing applicants. But the fact is, Mr. Shelton says, that law schools have largely followed that advice only for minority groups. For others, Mr. Shelton says, essays, recommendation letters and lists of undergraduate activities could rarely redeem a moderate LSAT score. No one knows the precise reason for the gap between scores of blacks and Hispanics and those of whites and Asians.
Theories range from poor schools in minority neighborhoods to inherent bias on the exams themselves.
But it's clear that race-blind admission decisions based primarily on LSAT scores and, to a lesser extent, college grades have had a devastating effect on black and Hispanic enrollment. The LSAT and undergraduate grades could each account for only 10 of 49 points. Though actual decisions will be based on the current system, the council hopes to determine whether using the forms would have resulted in more minorities' being admitted. It hopes to quantify the questionnaire's answers in some manner but isn't sure at the moment how that will be carried out. Starting in July, the researchers will survey students, faculty and alumni of Berkeley's law school, Boalt Hall, on the skills and traits a lawyer needs.