Is Queen's an "old boys club"?

[Monophobia]

My relatives have been referring to the supposed reputation of Queen's as an "old boys club", insofar as the community is conducive to (or encourages) shmoozing between wealthy white men. I was recently offered admission to Queen's, and some of my relatives are pretty ancient, so I'm curious if this sentiment still tracks to any extent today? On a related note, are racial or gender minorities at a disadvantage when it comes to 'networking' or otherwise getting involved in the community? What has your experience been at Queen's?

[QueensDenning]

Hasn't been my experience. At all. 

[helloall]

Queens' reputation as an old boys club mostly comes from Smith.

[Kobe]

No this does not track with my experience. You may want to check out the DEI office here: https://law.queensu.ca/programs/jd/student-support/equity-diversity-inclusivity-and-indigeneity

They are awesome and should answer all the questions you have specifically on this topic. 

[epeeist]

While I'm not ancient - defer to others this thread - it does bring up a different point. Many non-lawyer family and friends, helpful and well-informed as they may be otherwise, have totally wrong notions about the law, lawyers, law schools, etc. (e.g. it's a good idea to get a law degree even if you don't want to become a lawyer because of the options it gives you...🙄 ). For that matter a number of lawyers have wrong/outdated advice also, be skeptical.

[Hegdis]

I went to Queen’s. I am sure it’s come a long way in 20 years but even back then I would not have called it an old boy’s club. And I haven’t understood that to be its reputation, in that this thread is the first time I have heard it suggested. 

[Monophobia]

Well I'm relieved to hear that it doesn't track onto real student experiences.

56 minutes ago, Hegdis said:

I went to Queen’s. I am sure it’s come a long way in 20 years but even back then I would not have called it an old boy’s club. And I haven’t understood that to be its reputation, in that this thread is the first time I have heard it suggested. 

While not explicitly referring to Queen's as an old boys club, I have heard similar disparaging comments from other students throughout my undergrad about a supposed white homogeneity at Queen's. 

11 hours ago, epeeist said:

be skeptical.

I think this is good advice. It's likely best that I enter Queen's with an open mind instead of paying attention to all the little rumors I hear amongst my peers and family. Still, I was curious, and thought it couldn't hurt to check in with the homies here. Could be helpful to dispel such rumors for others hearing the same thing. 

[GoatDuck]

In my experience, Queens is overrepresented compared to other Ontario schools (except UofT) in the list of schools where wealthy white Toronto parents I know send their kids. 

[Hegdis]

Oh yeah it was a very white school.  Not a lot of diversity overall back then. If that’s what old boys means these days, then yeah I can see that being a reputation. 

[Eathwens]

Haven't experienced anything like this. Yes, there are alot of white students (50-60%?) but that is sort of reflective of Canada's demographics and I did not feel any "old boy" vibe sure there are well-off people but I feel like you can find that at any law program.