Am I a good Diversity Statement Candidate?

[wright2summer]

Hello.

I have my eyes on Vanderbilt Law School and have spoken to a hand full of alumni who have advised me to take advantage of writing a diversity statement. I am a white, female so at face value, the prospect of writing a diversity statement seems far-fetched at best and potentially delusional at worst. However, the argument made by a few alumni, is that I am a 40 year old mother, working full time (and the sole income earner in my family) who has a very diverse professional background (I've worked in conflict areas in east & central Africa, I was PR director of a magazine, I am currently a video/film producer, etc.) and I am the first person in my family to pursue higher eduction (just my immediate family, my great uncle actually attended Vanderbilt Medical school).
All of that being said, I'm on the fence of whether or not a diversity statement makes sense for my application. In my personal statement I speak about some personal hardship and the wear of working with genocide survivors and witnessing true forgiveness and how that has shaped my perspective of justice and created empathy, etc.

For a diversity statement, I think potentially I could speak to the challenges of having been the sole financial provider in my family for the last three years while losing three pregnancies and having two babies in the last five years, while studying and working full time. I've lived and worked in several countries and have a diverse professional background and how all of this lends to my perspective and ability to adapt, learn quickly and rebuild? Are any or all of these subjects a stretch? I definitely do not want to write a fluff piece rather present something of substance that enhances my chances.

I know you would need to understand my application (and me) on the greater whole to give a more informed suggestion, however based on the above, when would you generally advise someone to write a diversity/optional statement?

I feel that I need to woo the admission council with my soft application since my anticipated LSAT score will likely be in the lower percentile of their median, (I'm deciding between taking the test on Jan 13 or Feb 22) so I'm looking for every way that I can to present myself well.

Thank you so much for your thoughts!
Summer

[Dave Killoran]

Hello.

I have my eyes on Vanderbilt Law School and have spoken to a hand full of alumni who have advised me to take advantage of writing a diversity statement. I am a white, female so at face value, the prospect of writing a diversity statement seems far-fetched at best and potentially delusional at worst. However, the argument made by a few alumni, is that I am a 40 year old mother, working full time (and the sole income earner in my family) who has a very diverse professional background (I've worked in conflict areas in east & central Africa, I was PR director of a magazine, I am currently a video/film producer, etc.) and I am the first person in my family to pursue higher eduction (just my immediate family, my great uncle actually attended Vanderbilt Medical school).
All of that being said, I'm on the fence of whether or not a diversity statement makes sense for my application. In my personal statement I speak about some personal hardship and the wear of working with genocide survivors and witnessing true forgiveness and how that has shaped my perspective of justice and created empathy, etc.

For a diversity statement, I think potentially I could speak to the challenges of having been the sole financial provider in my family for the last three years while losing three pregnancies and having two babies in the last five years, while studying and working full time. I've lived and worked in several countries and have a diverse professional background and how all of this lends to my perspective and ability to adapt, learn quickly and rebuild? Are any or all of these subjects a stretch? I definitely do not want to write a fluff piece rather present something of substance that enhances my chances.

I know you would need to understand my application (and me) on the greater whole to give a more informed suggestion, however based on the above, when would you generally advise someone to write a diversity/optional statement?

I feel that I need to woo the admission council with my soft application since my anticipated LSAT score will likely be in the lower percentile of their median, (I'm deciding between taking the test on Jan 13 or Feb 22) so I'm looking for every way that I can to present myself well.

Thank you so much for your thoughts!
Summer

Hi Summer,

Thanks for the message! If I were in your shoes, I'd write one and I'd focus your essay on the non-traditional aspects of what you have done, things that set you apart from the typical applicant: 40 year old mother, sole financial provider, and worked in conflict areas in east & central Africa. I'm not sure I'd throw the kitchen sink in and talk about everything you listed though, and you should make sure your message is streamlined and cohesive. But the "I'm a little different than your usual student" essay here is not unusual at all.

I also would consider starting the essay with what you wrote above: "I am a white female so at face value, the prospect of writing a diversity statement seems far-fetched at best and potentially delusional at worst." It's a funny and eye-catching statement that addresses head-on the discomfort you feel. I believe it would go over quite well in this type of essay.

Thanks and good luck!