Magic Specialization (3.5 version)

[Ash Williams]

I'm trying to create a few characters that are all specialist wizards. The idea is that they're each one of the available non-human races (Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Halfling). I'm just having trouble with some deciding which branch they should specialize in. So far, I've got the dwarf as an Abjurer, and gnome Illusionist (of course), and I've thought of the elf focusing on Enchantment, but I'm not sure about the others.

[Saph]

Gnome would be Illusionist, obviously.
Dwarf fits fairly well as Abjurer.
Elf makes sense as Enchantment.
Half-Orc should probably be an Evoker (most direct and aggressive school).
Half-Elf could take Transmutation (mixing stuff together . . . eh, sort of works).
Halfling can get Divination (they're natural scouts, and it would fit with classes like Unseen Seer).
And that leaves humans for Conjuration.

[Everyman]

I think Saph's got it just about right, but we need a necromancy race.
...
Kobolds? 'Cause they die a lot?

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Necropolitan. Duh.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Kobolds? 'Cause they die a lot?

...You need better Kobolds. And they're Conj anyways, since that's the Battlefield Control school.

[Sinfire Titan]

Necropolitan. Duh.

Dragonborn Necromancer. Take that, flavor!

[Kurald Galain]

While I like Saph's response, I'm going to throw out a different one for the sake of contrast.

Dwarf => evoker. This fits with the direct dwarf mentality, their sometimes volatile temper, and their usage of explosives.
Elf => diviner. They're long-lived sapient know-it-alls, and it fits with the second sight ability they often get in fiction.
Halfing => abjurer. They're very resilient to corruption, enchantment, and general evil, and enjoy a protected society. Well, Tolkien halflings, at least; this doesn't fit with Kender well.
Half-Orc => transmuter. They're the most physical-oriented race, and their totemic background fits well with the Bear's Endurance line of spells.
Gnome => illusionist. No argument there.
Half-elf => enchantment. As the quintessential in-between race, this fits well with their penchant for diplomacy.
Human => necromancer. They're the only race curious enough to dabble in the forbidden arts.

Conjuration => I'm short of races now, but it fits with any natural race (beastmen, etc) or anything extraplanar (aasimar).

[Bob]

I would probably dedicate the half orc to either transmutation or conjuration, somewhere that he isn't missing that 1 dc. Though neither option much fits flavor-wise. I believe orcs tend to go after evocation spells in the mm.

Also, I would have the elf be the abjurer, as elves tend to have an affinity for magic and it is the "magic over magic" school.

then the dwarf could be either an evoker for what galain said, or a transmuter(or conjurer) for the dwarven tendencies towards craft and architecture.

[Lysander]

What about a drow necromancer?

[Optimystik]

Half-Orcs and/or Humans tend towards necromancy the most, because they have the shortest life spans of the "base" races, and are therefore the most interested in death.

Divination should really be for everyone - who doesn't have a soothsayer or crystal baller in their wizard school?

Transmutation should be Warforged.