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Simple English definitions for legal terms

Rational Basis Test

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A quick definition of Rational Basis Test:

The rational basis test is a way for courts to decide if a law is fair and follows the rules of the Constitution. To pass the test, the law must have a good reason for existing and make sense in how it tries to achieve its goal. This test is used when there are no special circumstances involved. It is also called "rational review."

A more thorough explanation:

The rational basis test is a way for courts to determine if a law or ordinance is constitutional. It is one of three judicial review tests.

To pass the rational basis test, the law or ordinance must have a legitimate reason for existing, and there must be a logical connection between the law's goals and the way it is carried out.

The rational basis test is the least strict of the three judicial review tests. It is used when there are no fundamental rights or suspect classifications at issue.

An example of a law that would pass the rational basis test is a law that requires people to wear seat belts while driving. The legitimate reason for this law is to keep people safe in case of an accident. The logical connection between the law's goal and the way it is carried out is that wearing a seat belt can help prevent serious injuries in a car crash.

An example of a law that would not pass the rational basis test is a law that requires people with red hair to pay higher taxes. There is no legitimate reason for this law, and there is no logical connection between the law's goal (raising revenue) and the way it is carried out (discriminating against people with red hair).

Ratio decidendi | read on

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13:34
as far as i know, that information is simply for data collection purposes
^
13:34
i don't think it has a detrimental effect on your chances of admission
13:34
but also you don't need to tell them anything so lol
Can y'all help me understand something lol. What does it mean for an app to "go complete"? Is that when the school has reviewed it and made a decision?
13:35
Na, it's when they have all the required information
Gotcha. So what would be the difference between received and completed?
Does complete entail like the app + LORs?
13:35
correct
That makes sense. Thank you!
13:36
complete basically means they've acknowledged receipt and it's ready to go under review whenever they start the deliberative process
Quillinit
13:40
I still haven't had Chicago or Cornell go complete, but I think that's just how they be
13:41
when did you submit
CaringEquableGuppy
13:42
How do you know when an application is complete? Is it on LSAC or the school's portal?
13:43
it'll be on the school-specific portal
Quillinit
13:44
when they opened
Quillinit
13:45
they both say something along the lines of "received and waiting to be processed"
13:48
anyone have good resources for revising a personal statement for reuse after applying with it last cycle?
13:49
Any guesses when Cornell and Penn CRS fee waivers will go out?
13:51
@Quillinit: from my recollection, chicago and cornell collapse complete/UR1 into a single step, so they may simply not be ready to begin reviewing applications
13:52
i think it's fair to assume, barring a handful of schools like UVA, most schools won't begin reviewing applications in earnest until the beginning of next month at the earliest, so it wouldn't be surprising to hear that applications are just sitting in the queue
13:54
@oakenrays: I was just gonna write a new one personally but I think you want to make it recognizably different from your previous PS
13:56
@baddestbunny: definitely agree that some revision and additional information is warranted but, my why law is the same... I guess just tell the same story in a different way
14:03
ugh fineeee I'll write a new stupid essay
14:07
yeah I told my last essay about a formative experience and am trying to update it now to be about what I’ve learned since that experience
recently wrapped up interview
i re-wrote my PS this cycle when I reapplied
fire drill at work
so lit
Quillinit
15:10
oh fun @info-man, Chicago just changed to complete today, so we'll see
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