What to Know About Applying to Law School as an Indigenous Student
Applying to law school as an indigenous student presents a unique opportunity. It allows you to add to the number of practicing Native American legal professionals who stand at 0.4%, according to the American Bar Association's 2020 Profile for Legal Profession. It also equips you with the legal knowledge to fight contemporary legal issues facing Indigenous Americans, with main issues related to control over tribe sovereignty, federal recognition of tribal status, environmental protection, and more.
Despite the rising number of Indigenous students applying for law school, there are still concerns about the potential challenges they may face during their application. However, many law schools have stepped up their efforts by offering law scholarships, dedicated resources, and mentorship to make the admission process as smooth as possible and ensure that indigenous students feel included. The Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) has also played a significant role in offering specialized clinics in American Indian, Indigenous Peoples Law, tribal law, and specialized certification.
In this post, we will discuss potential challenges associated with applying to law school as an indigenous student and what to consider during your application. We will also discuss how S. Montgomery Admission Consulting will help you get through the application with ease. Continue reading to learn more.
Potential Challenges of Applying to Law School as an Indigenous Student
Applying for law school as an Indigenous student may present a significant milestone, but it's often marked with unique challenges that stem from cultural, societal, and historical contexts. It also presents a deep, intertwined expectation to pursue justice for indigenous communities and overcome associated systemic barriers.
Understanding these challenges is crucial to confront them and make their admission process seamless. Here are some of the challenges that many indigenous students face while applying to law schools.
Underrepresentation
Many law schools are not inclusive enough for Indigenous students. There are fewer than 1 in 10 ABA-accredited law schools with a single indigenous faculty member and 1 in 100 enrolled students identifying as Native American. This can create a sense of isolation and make it challenging to find the support you need.
Cultural Bias
Cultural bias associated with Indigenous law students presents itself in various ways. This starts right from standardized tests like the LSAT that contain content and structures that may not align with Indigenous Americans' cultural experiences. This results in lower scores that don't accurately reflect their abilities.
Cultural bias may also manifest itself as microaggressions from other students, especially in states with low Indigenous populations. Microaggressions may include subtle offenses, non-verbal insults, and verbal insults related to their cultural background.
Financial Barriers
Financial barriers often determine where Indigenous will apply for law school and whether they graduate once they enroll. According to a national study on college affordability for Indigenous students, half of the 2,800 participants chose their high-education college based on the attendance cost. Besides that, most Indigenous students have to take considerable debt to afford college, making it challenging to return to their communities as they pursue job opportunities elsewhere to repay their loans.
Community Expectations
We cannot deny the fact that aspiring Indigenous law students are under great pressure to complete their studies and return to contribute to their community directly. Therefore, thriving under this kind of pressure could conflict with their goal of pursuing higher education.
Emotional Toll
When you have to deal with underrepresentation, cultural bias, financial barriers, and other challenges, you're most likely bound to be overwhelmed emotionally. This may affect your confidence in your application and education process.
Factors to Consider When Applying for a Law School as an Indigenous Student
Embarking on the journey to law school as an Indigenous American is one that holds a particular significance to you and your community. However, this process has challenges and nuances that you must carefully navigate. You'll have to evaluate factors like available resources, seeking mentorship opportunities, inclusivity options, financial aid, and more. Let's look at what you should consider when applying for law school as an Indigenous student.
Look out For Available Resources for Indigenous Applicants
Most universities across the US have dedicated resources that Indigenous law school applicants can use to make their application process as smooth as possible. For instance, the Native American Pipeline to Law Initiative by Berkeley Law and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Arizona State University are good examples of free workshops and mentorships for Indigenous students intending to pursue law.
The Pre-Law Summer Institute for Alaska and Indian Natives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is another example of a program that helps Indigenous Americans through their application process. This is a free and intensive two-month program available for college students who've applied to law school. It gives them invaluable education to headstart their legal education.
Highlight Your Indigenous Heritage in Your Application
Many law schools allow Indigenous students to highlight their Indigenous heritage in their application. It's crucial to tell your story not only to get into law school but also to bring a better awareness of the lifestyle and struggles of being a native.
Many essays require applicants to "pick and choose" or assign a topic in their application. If you're unsure what to write about, brainstorm a few ideas for your essay topic. However, if you have a topic, try finding questions that fit your story and write about it.
Cultural Relevance
Law schools that employ culture-based strategies can develop their students' cultures and identities, which critically impacts the overall student learning experience. Experts have noted that Indigenous American students in a culturally responsive classroom are likely to experience a more profound sense of belonging, have higher socio-economic well-being, and demonstrate enhanced self-esteem, ethnic pride, and motivation.
Look for factors like a curriculum that includes courses or programs related to indigenous populations, such as their laws, treaties, tribal courts, and related topics.
Reach out for Help
You don't have to get through financial hardship or feel isolated throughout your education with means available to support you. You can pursue scholarship programs such as the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, American Indian College Fund, and Tribal scholarships. Some colleges and universities offer free tuition for Indigenous students, especially full-blooded Indigenous students.
For instance, Indigenous students attending any state school in Montana can get fee waivers if they're Montana residents, at least ¼ Indian blood quantum, and need financial aid. You can also pursue state-funded scholarships such as the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program, New York State Aid to Native Americans, Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship, and more.
Besides seeking financial support, you can seek out indigenous student support programs to help you adapt to your law school. The Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) offers the perfect opportunity for student support with its 34 active chapters and over 226 student members.
Community Engagement
Engagement with tribal communities increases awareness of the risks and best practices that honor tribal sovereignty and helps cultural understanding to reduce racial misconception. It also helps foster university-community partnerships. Your preferred law school should promote community engagement through clinical programs where law students engage with Indigenous communities and provide real-world legal experience. You should also check whether they offer community outreach where they engage and partner with local Indigenous organizations.
Remind Yourself About Your Goals and Aspirations
Despite how tough it may get to secure your admission to a law school, you must reflect on your career goals and how this opportunity aligns with them. Consider how legal education would contribute to the preservation and advancement of Indigenous cultures and rights. Pursuing law also gives you a better chance to work with tribal leaders, courts, and institutions to promote justice among your tribe and work with human rights advocacy projects with international bodies.
Get the Help You Need while Applying to a Law School as an Indigenous Student
Getting to a law school as an Indigenous citizen can be challenging. However, with the right help, your admission process can be easy. At S. Montgomery Admission Consulting, we've had the privilege to work directly with aspiring law school students of different backgrounds to ensure that they tell authentic stories in their admission essays and increase the chances of their admission.
With our proven writing method, you can brainstorm the right ideas, structure your essay, and write evocative narratives that will help you write evocative narratives that will create a positive impact on your admission committee. We can also help you narrow down to a law school that offers the necessary support you need as an Indigenous student. Besides that, you can enjoy our discounts for BIPOC students.
Click here or call us today to learn more about our sliding scale pricing.