To write a Diversity Statement?

[haileymarkt]

I'm having trouble determining if I should write a Diversity Statement. Please help!

Based on my experiences and identity, the factors that I think would bring diversity to a 1L class are that I am gay and from rural Missouri (like really rural, 13 people in high school graduating class rural). While I think both are definitely relevant to my worldview, I wonder how compelling they are in an application.

I briefly mentioned both things in my personal statement (about a sentence and three sentences respectively). I feel that I could elaborate more, but not more than a few paragraphs. Personally, I'm leaning towards leaving it out (I don't want to say something just to say something) since I've already disclosed both things.

Thoughts?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Hailey,

Thanks for the message! In your case, I'd strongly lean towards writing one. I can only imagine that growing up gay in a rural part of the Midwest caused you to encounter some situations that others haven't encountered, and that helped shaped your worldview. Those are the types of experiences to write about here, and to show the committee that you'd bring a unique voice to the law school community. In other words, this is not just a simple disclosure and is instead more about sharing who you are and how your views would lend a needed and helpful voice in class and community.

Treat it a bit like a short personal statement: share stories of who you are instead of just telling the reader who you are.

Thanks!