In regards to the admissions process at the University of Michigan’s law school, in high school, I had a 3.6 GPA and a 28 on my ACT. I was a member of the NHS, JETS team, Science Olympiad team, International Thespian Society and the marching band. I was listed in the Who’s Who Among American High School Students my junior and senior year, and I am an Eagle Scout.

I was also rejected by Michigan’s College of Engineering.

I was rather shocked when I got that thin letter from Ann Arbor, so was the rest of my family, and most of my friends. There was a serious lack of explanation. I already had my MSU acceptance letter so I decided to not pursue it any further. In my opinion, if Michigan didn’t want me, I didn’t want to be associated with them either.

So far, I’ve been extremely happy with that decision. I see some of my best friends from high school more often, I’m more involved in extra curriculars here than I would have been at Michigan, and the environment here has really grown on me.

But in the back of my mind, I still believe I was turned down because I am white. I could be wrong, maybe if my GPA was stronger, or if I got a couple more points on my ACT, it might be different.

Using race one way or another to distinguish between two people is wrong. Promoting equality is fine. Seeing applicants as members of a race, for the purpose of diversity, is hypocritical and deepens racial division. Applicants should be taken based on qualification, not demographics.

Was my application hurt by the fact I am white? Maybe. I’ll never know for sure.

Loren LaLonde
telecommunication junior