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Hey all, I'm trying to write up my personal statements and, obviously, I'm trying to make myself stand out. The things that make me stand out from most other K-JD students are my background, my major, and my age but I've touched upon my background in my personal statement drafts and my resume will highlight my major. That would leave my age untouched, so would it be wrong to write a diversity statement about how I'm not actually "K-JD" in the most literal sense and how always being significantly younger than most of my peers has shaped my personality? Thanks for your input!

MechE603 wrote:Hey all, I'm trying to write up my personal statements and, obviously, I'm trying to make myself stand out. The things that make me stand out from most other K-JD students are my background, my major, and my age but I've touched upon my background in my personal statement drafts and my resume will highlight my major. That would leave my age untouched, so would it be wrong to write a diversity statement about how I'm not actually "K-JD" in the most literal sense and how always being significantly younger than most of my peers has shaped my personality? Thanks for your input!

No - your age does not make you diverse -- especially the fact that you are younger than your peers. How does that make you more of a competitive candidate?

Actually, when I saw this post I thought you were referencing your age to say you worked in some other field before starting college/law school so you bring some extra experience to the table. Though idk if I would recommend writing a diversity statement even in those circumstances.

How much younger are you? I'm a year younger than k-jds and tried to avoid discussing it. Pretty sure it's not seen as an advantage.

jnwa wrote:How much younger are you? I'm a year younger than k-jds and tried to avoid discussing it. Pretty sure it's not seen as an advantage.

I'm ~2 years younger than nearly everybody in my graduating class. Started high school at 12, undergrad at 16, and will be starting law school at 20. I definitely don't discuss it casually and usually avoid the conversation if I can, but it is something that has made me who I am and something that is different about me. I don't see it as an advantage nor as a disadvantage, just something that makes my application jump out a little bit more.

ek5dn wrote: No - your age does not make you diverse -- especially the fact that you are younger than your peers. How does that make you more of a competitive candidate?

Actually, when I saw this post I thought you were referencing your age to say you worked in some other field before starting college/law school so you bring some extra experience to the table. Though idk if I would recommend writing a diversity statement even in those circumstances.

While I would argue that your age would make you diverse if you were a different age than the vast majority of applicants, actual diversity versus diversity that matters is the root of my question. As I said just above this, I don't see it as making me more competitive but I also don't see it as making me less competitive. I didn't think diversity statements would be written as "why I'm a better candidate" but instead as "why my experiences are different and why I would bring something different to your campus."

A two-year difference isn't significant enough for a diversity statement. If you had graduated at 14 or something, then you might want to address it. But plenty of people graduate college at 20.

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zeglo wrote:Since when does age make you diverse? Just don't do a diversity statement.

Now hang on there, young'n. Age can absolutely be considered a factor in a school's diversity, but as mentioned, older is better than younger. I had lots of schools selling me on the age range of their classes to let me know that I wouldn't be hanging out with a bunch of 21-year-olds for three years.

MechE603 wrote:

jnwa wrote:How much younger are you? I'm a year younger than k-jds and tried to avoid discussing it. Pretty sure it's not seen as an advantage.

I'm ~2 years younger than nearly everybody in my graduating class. Started high school at 12, undergrad at 16, and will be starting law school at 20. I definitely don't discuss it casually and usually avoid the conversation if I can, but it is something that has made me who I am and something that is different about me. I don't see it as an advantage nor as a disadvantage, just something that makes my application jump out a little bit more.

ek5dn wrote: No - your age does not make you diverse -- especially the fact that you are younger than your peers. How does that make you more of a competitive candidate?

Actually, when I saw this post I thought you were referencing your age to say you worked in some other field before starting college/law school so you bring some extra experience to the table. Though idk if I would recommend writing a diversity statement even in those circumstances.

While I would argue that your age would make you diverse if you were a different age than the vast majority of applicants, actual diversity versus diversity that matters is the root of my question. As I said just above this, I don't see it as making me more competitive but I also don't see it as making me less competitive. I didn't think diversity statements would be written as "why I'm a better candidate" but instead as "why my experiences are different and why I would bring something different to your campus."

Every part of your application should be about showing admissions that you are more competitive than someone else - whether that be grades, personality, diverse experiences, etc.

If people followed your line of reasoning, there would be no reason for a diversity statement because everyone brings "something different" to campus. In other words, everyone is in some way diverse, so the school is looking for diversity that gives them a reason to pick you over someone else.

They're not going to see that you're younger than other people and say "oh, yeah, let's go with the kid"

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jnwa wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:

zeglo wrote:Since when does age make you diverse? Just don't do a diversity statement.

Now hang on there, young'n. Age can absolutely be considered a factor in a school's diversity, but as mentioned, older is better than younger. I had lots of schools selling me on the age range of their classes to let me know that I wouldn't be hanging out with a bunch of 21-year-olds for three years.

We didn't wanna hang out with your old ass anyways

Get off my lawn!

MechE603 wrote:Hey all, I'm trying to write up my personal statements and, obviously, I'm trying to make myself stand out. The things that make me stand out from most other K-JD students are my background, my major, and my age but I've touched upon my background in my personal statement drafts and my resume will highlight my major. That would leave my age untouched, so would it be wrong to write a diversity statement about how I'm not actually "K-JD" in the most literal sense and how always being significantly younger than most of my peers has shaped my personality? Thanks for your input!

Agree with everyone here - 20 is not diverse and will be something you are trying to overcome rather than something to highlight. The lack of experience will hurt you, not help you!

Absolutely agree with everyone's comments so far. OP, I was in a similar position upon graduation (there are a lot of us), but I took several years off to get some work experience (which I HIGHLY recommend you do if at all possible). If I hadn't done that, then I would have done everything in my power to avoid raising the age issue in my application.

Because I had, I felt comfortable with mentioning it in the context of a diversity statement focused on a more traditional topic (URM status, SES, etc.) In the end, I think the experience coupled with my years in a professional setting helped convey maturity, but I don't think it's enough for a diversity statement on its own and will likely be disadvantageous for a K-JD.