Examining characteristics, motivations, and career goals of Black students who attend historically Black colleges and law schools

The present study uses aggregate analyses and a national sample of incoming Black law students to examine characteristics, motivations, and career goals of students who matriculate into law school from an undergraduate historically Black college or university (HBCU) versus an undergraduate traditionally White institution (TWI), and those students who attend a historically Black law school (HBLS) versus a traditionally White law school (TWLS). Students who attended a HBCU versus a TWI pursued a law degree to help influence their community, and reported fewer experiences of discrimination during their undergraduate years. Students who attended a HBLS versus a TWLS experienced more discrimination during the law admissions process, and were less likely to pursue a law degree to work for social justice. Study implications provide an increased understanding of professional motivations of Black students and can be useful to HBCU and HBLS admissions officers in designing programs for outreach and academic support.