Diversity-Personal Statement Forum

[polinerdemory]

A lot of schools I'm applying to ask for a diversity statement, but overcoming an obstacle regarding diversity is mainly what my personal statement is about. Is it in my best interest to write an optional diversity statement or am I beating a dead horse? Thanks

[gdane]

To put it more eloquently, youd definitely be repeating yourself by writing two essays that deal with, essentially, the same topic. Is there any way you can think of something else to write about in your personal statement? Maybe touch upon your obstacle in it, but go into full detail in your diversity statement?

Good luck!

[OmbreGracieuse]

Is there a way you can split it into two topics?

For example, my original PS was LONG and covered my issues with being a married mother underneath the poverty limit... so, essentially, I seperated it into a PS and a DS. The PS covered being a mother and how that impacted my school (my grades didnt go down, so it mostly covered my switch in views), and my DS covered my struggle to be the mom I want to be, and wife I want to be, while being so far underneath the poverty limit. Overall, I think it went well.

I don't know if it is possible for you to do something similar, but if it is... that might work well. I was able to create two and they interweave like a quilt (or so I think, for lack of better word).

Good luck!!

[capitalacq]

A lot of schools I'm applying to ask for a diversity statement, but overcoming an obstacle regarding diversity is mainly what my personal statement is about. Is it in my best interest to write an optional diversity statement or am I beating a dead horse? Thanks

there's nothing wrong with being concise... just use this PS and don't worry about the DS. They aren't going to ignore your diversity b/c you included it in a PS. You'll be fine