While we've heard a lot about the information in that spreadsheet, we haven't heard much from the students to whom that information belonged. What do they think?
I recently interviewed one of the affected students (a former LSAT Blog reader). Since her info's already been a little too public lately, we'll call her "Kelly."
Why did you apply to Baylor?
Baylor, honestly, was a safety school. I'm a Texas girl.
What was your initial reaction to receiving the email? And now?
I actually didn't notice the attachment until the third and more-detailed apology. At first, I viewed it on my phone, so I didn't see the whole mess of it until I looked at the information on my laptop. I subsequently deleted the email. Now, I guess I have no choice but to be over it. Hopefully, no one is bored enough to look it up and treat me any particular way about my scores.
What impact do you think the emailing of the spreadsheet will have on the incoming class at Baylor?
I certainly wouldn't like everyone knowing that information about me, especially people I don't and may never get to know. I think many people will meet others and check their LSAT/GPA to determine if someone is, or just acts, intelligent. This is pretty much what admissions committees do to us anyway, except they have more experience doing it.
What, if anything, do you think should happen to the person responsible for the email? And what'd you think of the apology email that Baylor sent out after the fact?
It was a grave mistake that I'll bet he or she will never forget, but it was a mistake nonetheless. The apology, funny enough, was what drew my attention to the attachment in the first place. Still, it was an apology, so I guess it served the purpose for which it was written.
One blog commenter suggested that "schools should openly release a modified version of this data every year" for law school transparency purposes: GPA, LSAT, etc. Thoughts?
I see the reasoning in this. Maybe, someday, Baylor will look back at this mistake and see that releasing this information was actually a great idea. (Except, of course, for the inclusion of the students' full names and home addresses.)
Finally, how, if at all, has this affected your decision to attend Baylor?
It has not affected my decision. I plan to attend University of Texas School of Law. Hook 'em.
Interesting. My responses would have been about the same, except that I didn't notice the attachment until I saw the blog post.
ReplyDeleteOops. Hook'em.
(Also, speaking of "Hook'em" -- talk about two opposite ends of the recruiting spectrum. While my highest scholarship offer was from Baylor, this was by far the worst mistake. It's not affecting my decision, but it might have had I not gotten into UT-Law -- it's the biggest single mistake/error made in the law school recruitment game. Meanwhile, UT-Law did the single most impressive thing -- they're the only school that actually called me in person to inform me of my acceptance.)
Of the 5 schools i got acceptance letters from, UT was the only one that called me too. Would a call from a 2nd or 3rd tier school have won me over.....? Probably not, BUT, It is great to get that call from the Dean.
ReplyDeleteRough situation for those who are going to Baylor Law, because I bet you people are keeping those emails around