Law School Discussion

For those on the board who support race preferences in law school admissions, who supports using race as a factor soley on the grounds that taking race into account will "diversify" the incoming classes? 

I ask because I feel from reading so many of these AA threads that both supporters and opponents of AA continue to fail in comprehending the reality that racial preferences are the law of the land SOLEY because SCOTUS ruled them ok based upon the compelling educational interest of DIVERSITY.  The old arguments about past wrongs and socioeconomic hardship and racism are not a part of SCOTUS endorsing AA - so I am curious why so many still hang their arguments on items that have been moved off of the agenda.

This is for my own use- im simply curious if pro-AA ppl have adopted the view that diversity is paramount or whether it was merely a convienient argument when proponents needed to overcome strict scrutiny before SCOTUS.

I would be ever so greatful if those of you who are going through the process (as I will be next year) of applying to law schools could help me answer a question.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to attend the University of Virginia law school.  While it may have begun by watching John Cusack's "True Colors" one too many times, the reasons have surely become more profound as I matured.

The long and short of it is that UVA is where I want to go.  The advice I need is on the following whether to apply now or wait.  I all but know that my credentials are not going to fly at this point.

I have a 3.5 GPA graduating from a top 20 private univeristy after transferring from a top 20 Liberal Arts college in New England.  I will have spent equal time at the two institutions by graduation.  After spending an entire summer after soph year studying for the LSATs and taking a course--and subsequently repeating the course) I have one LSAT score 160.  I know that it is not high enough and that any effort to take it again only jeopordizes my chances at getting into tolerable schools (e.g UGA, SMU). 

My EC's are quite strong.  I will have been credited as a research assistant in a celebrity law professors upcoming book (the professor is my mentor/advisor) and works at the undergraduate institution's law school that I attend.  I have done quite a bit of independent research on a subject I am passionate about and that will culmunate in 4 semesters of work that has enabled me to secure a prestigious internship in DC this summer working for a scholar at a renown think tank.  I like my chances on everything, but being a white male with a 160 I am no fool.  It won't cut it in C'ville.

Question:  Would I benefit from taking 2 years off and getting a job in DC at a think tank and perhaps finding connections to the school?  Are connections even gonna help that much.  My thought was that I could live in Arlington, get VA residency and make contacts then apply again.  Please give me some advice.  I'm totally trapped here and committed that UVA is where I want to be.