Personal Statement vs. Diversity Statement Forum

[berkeleynick]

Hello! I am working on my personal statement and wanted to get some advice as to what the best approach to balancing the question of diversity is most recommended. I understand most law schools accept diversity statements as addenda, but I wanted to include some of the issues my diversity statement will undoubtedly touch upon (URM, LGBT, etc.) in my personal statement as they're central to the story. But I also don't want to dilute those issues through overuse. Is it generally okay to delve deeper into some of the issues that the personal statement raises when writing the diversity statement? Should the personal statement focus more on why I want to be a lawyer, as opposed to what perspectives I would bring to the legal profession?

This personal statement thing is turning out to be more difficult than I thought. LSAT studying almost feels like a 'break.' Haha.

Thanks everyone!

[Nebby]

In my experience, some of the best personal statements were where the person's diversity played the central role in their identity thus the best subject for a personal statement. Therefore they didn't even do a diversity statement. I think a rule of thumb should be: Diversity statement isn't necessary if your diverse experience plays a crucial role in your PS and you're struggling how to allocate between the PS and DS.

Less is usually more.