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I am wondering whether I need to write the optional diversity statements for a few different schools. The problem is that I am not that diverse. All I have is that my parents immigrated from the Soviet Union and that I grew up in Brooklyn, NY with a few financially difficult years until they got up on their feet. My first language was russian and I grew up in a very russian neighborhood of Brooklyn. Then i moved to Jersey to a pretty affluent neighborhood. Anything to brag about here? I could talk about how I am diverse in different ways (interests, work, etc.) but is that proper?

Diversity statements aren't just for URMs. It sounds like you have a potentially good topic.

Sounds like you have a good topic for a DS here, just put your OP in paragraph form, attach some emotions to the facts (how did language barrier affect you, how did being different from your classmates make you feel..), and write a little about how your diversity might have changed your perspective on things.. you got this

If you're applying to schools in the Tri-State area, that isn't going to make you seem very diverse.

That's what I thought, so maybe I should only include them to the ones outside?

Does anybody else have any tips for me?

same question here. also a russian, which i go into with my PS. At first i was fired up write a DS but use it as an opportunity to talk about my willingness to try different things out of my comfort zone, and mention something about all the different kinds of jobs i've had and people i've worked with.

.... but know i'm kind of fizzling. I'm not totally whitebread 'average', but i am getting the feeling that DS aren't really for writing about all the interesting things you've done and instead are about overcoming adversity and basically being a social minority of one kind of another, i.e. experiencing discrimination.

i'm not sure if i'm gonna write a DS anymore.


Do most people submit DS or not?

I'm conflicted as to whether I should write a DS too.

yoyowhatupyo wrote:same question here. also a russian, which i go into with my PS. At first i was fired up write a DS but use it as an opportunity to talk about my willingness to try different things out of my comfort zone, and mention something about all the different kinds of jobs i've had and people i've worked with.

.... but know i'm kind of fizzling. I'm not totally whitebread 'average', but i am getting the feeling that DS aren't really for writing about all the interesting things you've done and instead are about overcoming adversity and basically being a social minority of one kind of another, i.e. experiencing discrimination.

i'm not sure if i'm gonna write a DS anymore.


Do most people submit DS or not?

Most applicants do not, but most applicants are also not first generation Americans. At some schools, such a DS may not help you, but I highly doubt it could hurt you.