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Predicting First-year Law School Performance: The Influences of Race, Gender, and Undergraduate Major

Author

Listed:
  • John Fordyce

    (Counsel - Securities and Governance)

  • Lisa K Jepsen

    (Department of Economics, University of Northern Iowa)

  • Ken McCormick

    (Department of Economics, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls)

Abstract

We use regression analysis and proprietary data from three top 30 law schools to test the relationships of race, gender, and undergraduate major to first-year law school performance, as measured by law school grade point average at the end of the first year. We conclude that, all else equal: (1) Non-white students perform worse than white students, (2) Women on average do as well as men, though non-white women do worse than both white and non-white men, and (3) For the most part, undergraduate major has no relationship to first-year law school performance.

Suggested Citation

  • John Fordyce & Lisa K Jepsen & Ken McCormick, 2017. "Predicting First-year Law School Performance: The Influences of Race, Gender, and Undergraduate Major," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 43(1), pages 64-77, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:43:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1057_eej.2015.34
    DOI: 10.1057/eej.2015.34
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Nieswiadomy, 2010. "LSAT® Scores of Economics Majors: The 2008--9 Class Update," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(3), pages 331-333, June.
    2. Jesse Rothstein & Albert Yoon, 2006. "Mismatch in Law School," Working Papers 29, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Education Research Section..
    3. Kenneth J. Arrow, 1998. "What Has Economics to Say about Racial Discrimination?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 91-100, Spring.
    4. Michael Nieswiadomy, 2014. "LSAT® Scores of Economics Majors: The 2012--13 Class Update," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(1), pages 71-74, March.
    5. Francine D. Blau & Lawrence M. Kahn, 2000. "Gender Differences in Pay," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(4), pages 75-99, Fall.
    6. R. Kim Craft & Joe G. Baker, 2003. "Do Economists Make Better Lawyers? Undergraduate Degree Field and Lawyer Earnings," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(3), pages 263-281, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leiv Opstad & Torbjorn Arethun, 2020. "Skills, Gender, and Performance Matter when Undergraduate Business Students Choose Specialisation within Business Courses," International Journal of Management, Knowledge and Learning, International School for Social and Business Studies, Celje, Slovenia, vol. 9(1), pages 95-107.

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    Keywords

    law school; race; gender; major;
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