<p>C02 - we could also say folks that are wealthier have higher LSAT scores. And folks with higher SAT scores tend to have higher LSAT scores. Because both are true. I don’t disagree that the number one indicator of where you go is the LSAT. But all things being equal (similar LSAT scores among applicants), Ivies poach Ivies before they poach others. </p>
<p>And though certainly I would say it is in the realm of correlation (no school has come out saying it) - but I don’t think Yale is so much better of a school than H, P and S such to warrant so high a percentage of the YLS 1L class. And even when you adjust for the fact that more Y ugrads apply to YLS, the degree of favoritism (percentage of 1L class filled by their own ugrads) is grossly worse than even the nepotism at HLS, CLS and SLS. At that point I would argue there is an obscenely high correlation that where you go to school plays a role in where you go to law school. And I think it certainly is a reasonable explanation. The only anecdotal evidence I have to back that up is the cheeky statement from someone that worked at CLS that said they trust kids that went to Ivies over others. Not said in an admissions setting, but when you take a look at academia, the realization that it is a bit of a circle jerk is pretty clear.</p>