- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sep 08, 2015
- Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:12 am
#20136
Hi all!
I'm applying to a school with an optional, 500 word diversity statement, and I'm wondering if I should write one. On the surface, I don't bring much diversity to the table as I'm white and come from an upper middle class background. However, I do come from a very small town (which I believe is somewhat different from their usual candidates for admission), was raised by a single dad, and have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (it's fairly mild, but in my opinion, it does show an ability to overcome obstacles, etc). I do plan on writing about these things in my personal statement, so I'm not sure if I should even bother with the diversity statement. I'm not even sure that these traits make me "diverse" in the true sense of the word. However, I've also heard from several people that you should write every possible essay that you can for law school admissions. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
I'm applying to a school with an optional, 500 word diversity statement, and I'm wondering if I should write one. On the surface, I don't bring much diversity to the table as I'm white and come from an upper middle class background. However, I do come from a very small town (which I believe is somewhat different from their usual candidates for admission), was raised by a single dad, and have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (it's fairly mild, but in my opinion, it does show an ability to overcome obstacles, etc). I do plan on writing about these things in my personal statement, so I'm not sure if I should even bother with the diversity statement. I'm not even sure that these traits make me "diverse" in the true sense of the word. However, I've also heard from several people that you should write every possible essay that you can for law school admissions. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
I generally agree that you want to give the committee as many looks at your writing as possible, but Diversity statements are one place where you should be very careful. It can come off as insensitive or unthinking if you make diversity claims that don't truly represent diversity. I do think some of the elements you mention are worth talking about. However, since they will be in your personal statement, I'd probably not present them again in a Diversity essay. So, my feeling here is not to write one. 