The general consensus here seems to be one page, but I'll be struggling to fit everything I want to say into something that short. Only a few schools I am looking at seems to specify length for the DS, and I'd like to put in something closer to 2 pages. Is that really going to be a problem?

I don't have a draft complete yet so I can't really illustrate where I am trying to go with my statement, but I have a lot to cover as far as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, upbringing... I think I have a pretty good theme to tie everything together but I can't see how I could fit it all into one page double spaced.

use 11 font

if its mind blowing im sure schools with no specifications will forgive u the extra page, but if they tell you to use one page don't be a rebel.

Silly Evan being a kiwi doesn't count as URM!! Funny that from your picture and username I know exactly who you are! See you out there big guy...