Engineering Student Diversity Statement Forum

[landpirate]

So I'm a white male, grew up in suburbia, yadda yadda yadda. I'm applying to a bunch of T14 schools and I'm trying to decide whether or not to write a diversity statement and if I do, what it should be about.

Most of the schools that I'm applying to are on the coasts and I'm from/go to school in the midwest. I'm an engineering major and have done some research as an undergrad. I've also been a finalist in a national undergrad film festival. All of these things were addressed to some extent in my personal statement or resume. Film-making was the focus of my PS but engineering and location factored in a fair amount as well.

I can't really think of anything extra that I want to convey in a diversity statement that isn't sort of in my PS already. Should I try to elaborate on those topics or will I be penalized if I don't write one at all? Would writing one about my research experience be a good idea?

Thanks for any help.

[SortOfObsessed]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're a white upper/middle-class kid from the midwest.

No one on will hold it against you for not having a diversity statement, I assure you. In fact, unless you can write a very compelling diversity statement, I really don't think you should bother with it.

As to your questions, no you will not be penalized, and research sounds like a bad topic.

Best of luck to you, fellow mid-westerner.

[landpirate]

Nope, that's exactly right and basically what I wanted to know. I'm glad to hear that I don't have to find something to bs a diversity statement about.

Thanks for the help. If everything goes right I won't be a midwesterner for long

[09042014]

Having IP as the reason you want law school in your Personal Statement >> diversity statement about being an engineer

Also being an engineer isn't that uncommon in law school.

[landpirate]

I was sort of thinking that, but just wanted to make sure.

I know its not rare for engineers to go to law school, but any idea on what the percentage of t14 law school students actually are engineers?