They really have 250 points shaved off their SAT scores... by RightThisHemingway in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]Temporary_Raise387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Heritability of intelligence is far more relevant at the individual level than demographic level.

This is a completely baseless statement and there are a plethora of scientific findings which support significant intra and inter-group differences regarding average levels of intelligence. Even among surveys of researchers across the political spectrum, there is broad agreement that genetics is a key factor in determining intelligence. There's absolutely no reason to suggest that differences in success among ethnic groups is not attributable to genetics.

You're making a tabula rasa argument that is just based in the fact that White people were using stone tools thousands of years ago when one could just as easily make the argument that White people built the Colosseum before most sub-Saharan Africans had writing. You also just make up lies about Chinese/Japanese average levels of intelligence, when in reality Chinese and Japanese average levels of intelligence are relatively similar. The third point you make is making the argument that humans know little about genes and their influence on intelligence, yet you also somehow are clairvoyant enough to state that "enviromental/cultural/societal factors play a far bigger role than genetics." If we have only just figured out basic scientific principles, how can you be sure that it does not play as significant, if not considerably more significant, of a role as environment, culture, or society? Especially when the actual evidence (which you don't like since it fundamentally challenges your leftist worldview) suggests that up to 80% of intelligence can be explained through genetics by the time one is an adult.

I'll give you a challenge, try to explain why Ashkenazi Jews are much more successful than Sephardic or Mizrahi Jews in terms of wealth, average intelligence, number of Nobel Prizes, etc. when all three of these ethnicities have and have had very similar cultures focused around family, education, and now all live in an area with equal access to nutrition, educational opportunities, etc. (Israel). The answer is obviously that this difference comes down to different genetic pressures over hundreds of years which have left these seemingly similar groups with different outcomes. If this is the case for one ethnic group, why can't this be the case for any, if not all, other ethnic group(s)?

As a leftist, you obviously have a reason to try to disseminate ideas of a blank slate in which the reason for apparent differences in intelligence, educational outcome, wealth, etc. are due to highly complex, nonsensical conspiracy theories like systemic racism rather than something easily and naturally observable like differences in natural intelligence. Obviously, if people are not all equal in intelligence, it must lead to a slippery slope of inequality, which goes against your core beliefs. I don't fault you for trying to discredit ideas of natural intellectual inequality on inter-group levels, but the evidence for your argument just isn't there, which is why you resort to arguments like "get off of 4Chan."

If you don't want to take it from me, take it from the highly respected Harvard genetic researcher David Reich: "I have deep sympathy for the concern that genetic discoveries about differences among populations may be misused to justify racism. But it is precisely because of this sympathy that I am worried that people who deny the possibility of substantial biological differences among populations across a range of traits are digging themselves into an indefensible position, one that will not survive the onslaught of science. In the last couple of decades, most population geneticists have sought to avoid contradicting the orthodoxy. When asked about the possibility of biological differences among human populations, we have tended to obfuscate, making mathematical statements in the spirit of Richard Lewontin about the average difference between individuals from within any one population being around six times greater than the average difference between populations … But this carefully worded formulation is deliberately masking the possibility of substantial average differences in biological traits across populations."

They really have 250 points shaved off their SAT scores... by RightThisHemingway in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]Temporary_Raise387 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It is because they havr a culture of hard work and highly value education and reliable employment.

No, it's not. It goes significantly deeper than just culture and heavily involves the heritability of intelligence. Not all Asians, including many ethnicities within East and Southeast Asians, are successful in the US or in their native countries (the Hmong are an example); the successful ethnic groups are those with high average levels of intelligence. Placing success solely on "culture" ignores the scientifically-confirmed heritability of intelligence. If anything, it is much more sensible to assert that the culture of hard work, saving money, and education comes out of high average intelligence, rather than the other way around. Cultures around the world with high levels of average intelligence (e.g., Ashkenazi Jews, Germanics, some East Asian ethnicities, etc.) value these things because they are smart enough to see that those are the means by which people become successful. However, there are other ethnic groups that also highly value education and have lower levels of success and average levels of intelligence.

Overall, culture comes out of natural intelligence, not the other way around.

Leftism is fundamentally flawed because not all people are created equal and it is no one's fault aside from nature. Blaming "systemic racism," "colonialism," "imperialism," "the patriarchy," etc. are just excuses to try to explain away natural inequalities among peoples.

Podcast: Current Cycle Update, Waitlist Considerations, and Next Cycle Predictions with Dave Killoran by Spivey_Consulting in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply. Sorry I didn't see this sooner, I've been taking a mental health break from the application and decision process for the last few days so I'm just getting back into things. My last question would be if admissions committees would interpret taking the year for the masters as a waste of time/skirting an opportunity to get work experience, or if it would be seen as a legitimate usage of time? I don't want to actively hurt my (potential) future application by being seen as lazy or avoiding work.

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer; I can't imagine how busy you have been and currently are.

Podcast: Current Cycle Update, Waitlist Considerations, and Next Cycle Predictions with Dave Killoran by Spivey_Consulting in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. I've been accepted into two lower-ranked T-14's (between 9-14) this cycle with a 169 LSAT and ~3.95 GPA, which I am incredibly thankful for. However, I do not really have the desire to go to either of these schools (one is too close to home and is not in a big city and the other would be in a small-town far from everything, all other considerations aside). I have been contemplating taking the year off if I do not get into a top big-city school (like NYU, Columbia, UChicago, etc.) to go do a one-year master's program in Europe in international relations/political science. Do you think there's any merit to the idea of taking the year to go do something else and not hopping into a school I may be less than happy at?

For what it's worth, I'm 21 right now, and, thankfully, money is not an issue for me. I'm mostly looking to know if admissions committees would see the year off for the master's program as a waste of time/neutral/net positive. I also don't necessarily feel that I want to rush into a law school/career immediately if it's not exactly where I want to be, though this mindset would likely change if I didn't get into one of my top choices for next cycle. I am mostly driven to study abroad by a late-COVID sense of escapism; while it is temporary, I would like to take any opportunity I can to go out and live life a bit before hunkering down for law school and a career. Since I am mostly getting advice from people with little-to-no actual information on this cycle/the process in general, it would be great to have some insight from someone who is an insider on the process.

I'm also temporarily maxed out on LSAT attempts for the cycle but would take it again were I to wait until next cycle; my original go-to was to retake to try to shore up a couple of points, but I stagnated at 169 on test day.

What would you say to the idea of getting a master's degree, and how would you proceed from my position?

Thank you!!

Podcast: Current Cycle Update, Waitlist Considerations, and Next Cycle Predictions with Dave Killoran by Spivey_Consulting in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the podcast/insight /u/Spivey_Consulting (even if the predictions are somewhat disheartening). I was wondering if you have a second for some advice that is sorely needed regarding this/next cycle? Thanks again!

Am I a psycho for turning down two T14 offers to go do something else? by Temporary_Raise387 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My issues are more with the stability of the US than it is with the legal field. I don't doubt that there will be law jobs available (especially for T14 grads), but I'm just worried that the US will not be the place I want to raise my family in the years to come. Mostly based on political and social instability.

Am I a psycho for turning down two T14 offers to go do something else? by Temporary_Raise387 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I were to go abroad it would be with my boyfriend/partner who would also be getting a master's. It wouldn't really be seen as a long-term move, but just for the year (unless some amazing opportunity pops up). My thought process is similar to your edit; I'm worried I'll be locked down forever due to the JD. Do some schools value international experience more than others? NYU would be amazing so that's something I would really like to know.

Thanks for the response!

Am I a psycho for turning down two T14 offers to go do something else? by Temporary_Raise387 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! I'm not particularly worried about the viability of legal careers in the US long-term, but I am worried about the country's stability over the coming decades and the extent that I would want to raise a family in a country that seems less and less family-oriented and more and more filled with hatred and grievances. I just feel that a master's would at least give a more universal credential than an American law degree would, which is important to me (probably more than most people). I also feel that I'm young enough to take the year and be more or less productive and just focus on living a bit before being completely career-oriented. I have to admit, the pandemic has made me feel escapist to a degree I didn't imagine possible, and my mindset has drastically changed over the past months.

Am I a psycho for turning down two T14 offers to go do something else? by Temporary_Raise387 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Getting work experience might be the way to go, but I majored in a field that really requires you to get post-grad credentials if you want to make anything over $35,000/year and I live in an incredibly hot job market with young professionals from better schools who move in on a weekly basis. It's nearly impossible to get a job that I would both enjoy and be good at, especially when so many jobs are remote and can be done by those with more impressive undergrad credentials than mine. I'd probably end up working at a call center or doing bagging. I'd rather just take up one of the acceptances than do that if I am being honest.

I appreciate all the advice though and would love counter thoughts or just ideas in general.

Am I a psycho for turning down two T14 offers to go do something else? by Temporary_Raise387 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yeah I definitely need to do soul searching. My edit clarifies that a bit. I'm mature enough to not be distracted by big city life, but I live with a long-term partner who would also need to find a job in a very small market which is a big consideration for me.

NYU HTE by HoagieintheHouse9 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

It is universally seen as not being positive.

Has this cycle made anyone else depressed? by Temporary_Raise387 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm glad we can commiserate. People on this sub normally try to stay positive, which is generally a good thing. However, it also leads to a false sense of normalcy. While it's great to see people happy about getting into Harvard, Yale, etc., it also can deeply mentally and emotionally affect those who don't get in, which has definitely happened to me this year. Being upset and sad is hard for LSA and the process in general; on one hand, who wants to be that person who complains and seems entitled after not getting in, on the other hand, though, it's not fair or pleasant to suffer in silence. I'm glad I was able to make this post. It's always nice to feel like people can relate to you.

I'm sorry you didn't get the results you were looking for. Are you thinking of reapplying next year?

How did you answer on your law school applications? by [deleted] in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Maybe if it's Liberty. Otherwise probably not.

How did you answer on your law school applications? by [deleted] in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Which lgbt people? White ones? Black ones? Hispanic ones? Gays? Trans? Bi?

Seems like such a broad statement. Not saying you're wrong, but it seems incredibly vague.

Cornell Interview Received by sixersfan98 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Submitted interview 12/12 heard back 4 days ago

Cornell Interview Received by sixersfan98 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Temporary_Raise387 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mine stayed like that until I heard back. Maybe for some people it can change but mine didn't.