. Forum

[jbagelboy]

The law school I want to attend invites applicants to submit a diversity statement, because they strive to admit students with a variety of backgrounds, traits, and attributes.

However, I am not going to submit a diversity statement, because I am exactly the same as every other applicant and have nothing unique to offer.

Its more than a "fundamental" ideological difference with bk1. You seemingly have no idea what is a worthwhile expenditure of time, both for you and the real person/people evaluating your application, and you haven't paused to think about how it reflects on you to act in poor taste and disrespect the energies of others. These letters aren't "optional" to weed out the lazy candidate, or save you time, this isn't a pop quiz: will he or she write it??. Thousands of applicants get into top schools each year without writing diversity statements. Law schools have no problem giving you mandatory busy work; if they wanted everyone to prove they were diverse, they wouldn't hesitate to make the statements required. It's optional precisely because they don't want a statement from everyone -- because they especially don't want to read about a rich scandinavian-descended white girls from the midwest who did TFA and thought they'd give diverse-by-osmosis a shot.

You are going to be the person who sends ridiculously over the top thank you messages to each interviewer and goes to your professors' office hours four times a week until they pick up smoking again to strategically go for a cig break to avoid you. Stop feeling so entitled.

Most importantly, you also mistake law school applications for holistic exercises. There's very little beyond strong academic letters of recommendation, your LSAT and your GPA that can make a positive impact on your application. Conversely, there are nearly infinite ways to make a negative impression; submitting tone deaf dribble in the form of an unnecessary diversity statement is most likely one of them. Not to mention, substance aside, its another opportunity to make a damning typo or syntax error.

[gatesome]

they especially don't want to read about a rich scandinavian-descended white girls from the midwest who did TFA and thought they'd give diverse-by-osmosis a shot.

Of course not, that would be a terrible diversity statement. (Your statement is actually quite racist)

You are going to be the person who sends ridiculously over the top thank you messages to each interviewer and goes to your professors' office hours four times a week until they pick up smoking again to strategically go for a cig break to avoid you.

This is a ridiculous claim.

Most importantly, you also mistake law school applications for holistic exercises. There's very little beyond strong academic letters of recommendation, your LSAT and your GPA that can make a positive impact on your application. Conversely, there are nearly infinite ways to make a negative impression; submitting tone deaf dribble in the form of an unnecessary diversity statement is most likely one of them. Not to mention, substance aside, its another opportunity to make a damning typo or syntax error.

I am not recommending anyone submit a half-assed or "tone-deaf" diversity statement. Like I've said several times already, OP's original post would be a terrible and inadequate basis for such a statement.

I am recommending everyone submit a brief but genuine, unique diversity statement that highlights "human differences" that set them apart from most others.

[logicfreak]

1. Overcoming adversity based upon a trait you were born with is pretty clearly in the diversity topic zone (even if you personally disagree).

2. OP, I would carefully read the diversity statement instructions from the schools themselves. If you feel like what you have to say would fit within their rubric, then you should go ahead. It's not just asking if you can check the correct URM box, it's asking how you would bring diversity to the voice of the law school community. Some schools have pretty broad interpretations of what diversity actually entails, and a white woman from the midwest could certainly fit (e.g., if you were a single mother or older than 50 and coming back from being a house-wife. these are just meant to show that a white woman from the midwest is not precluded from diversity).

Either way, according to this site, 86.35% of admissions is based upon GPA/LSAT, so it won't matter (unless your diversity statement is so misguided as to offend the admissions committee).

interesting. i am unusually attractive, largely because of a combination of traits i was born with. this has always caused people to give me the "benefit of the doubt"; consequently, i have developed a sub-optimal work ethic. while using my good looks to get ahead has certainly been useful in some endeavors, it has become clear that i will need to employ an alternative tactic for law school admissions. the numbers-based admission process really doesn't respond to the unique needs of the disadvantageously good-looking. would a diversity statement be appropriate? maybe just include a recent photo with the application?

[jbagelboy]

1. Overcoming adversity based upon a trait you were born with is pretty clearly in the diversity topic zone (even if you personally disagree).

2. OP, I would carefully read the diversity statement instructions from the schools themselves. If you feel like what you have to say would fit within their rubric, then you should go ahead. It's not just asking if you can check the correct URM box, it's asking how you would bring diversity to the voice of the law school community. Some schools have pretty broad interpretations of what diversity actually entails, and a white woman from the midwest could certainly fit (e.g., if you were a single mother or older than 50 and coming back from being a house-wife. these are just meant to show that a white woman from the midwest is not precluded from diversity).

Either way, according to this site, 86.35% of admissions is based upon GPA/LSAT, so it won't matter (unless your diversity statement is so misguided as to offend the admissions committee).

interesting. i am unusually attractive, largely because of a combination of traits i was born with. this has always caused people to give me the "benefit of the doubt"; consequently, i have developed a sub-optimal work ethic. while using my good looks to get ahead has certainly been useful in some endeavors, it has become clear that i will need to employ an alternative tactic for law school admissions. the numbers-based admission process really doesn't respond to the unique needs of the disadvantageously good-looking. would a diversity statement be appropriate? maybe just include a recent photo with the application?

you have strong precedent

[logicfreak]

1. Overcoming adversity based upon a trait you were born with is pretty clearly in the diversity topic zone (even if you personally disagree).

2. OP, I would carefully read the diversity statement instructions from the schools themselves. If you feel like what you have to say would fit within their rubric, then you should go ahead. It's not just asking if you can check the correct URM box, it's asking how you would bring diversity to the voice of the law school community. Some schools have pretty broad interpretations of what diversity actually entails, and a white woman from the midwest could certainly fit (e.g., if you were a single mother or older than 50 and coming back from being a house-wife. these are just meant to show that a white woman from the midwest is not precluded from diversity).

Either way, according to this site, 86.35% of admissions is based upon GPA/LSAT, so it won't matter (unless your diversity statement is so misguided as to offend the admissions committee).

interesting. i am unusually attractive, largely because of a combination of traits i was born with. this has always caused people to give me the "benefit of the doubt"; consequently, i have developed a sub-optimal work ethic. while using my good looks to get ahead has certainly been useful in some endeavors, it has become clear that i will need to employ an alternative tactic for law school admissions. the numbers-based admission process really doesn't respond to the unique needs of the disadvantageously good-looking. would a diversity statement be appropriate? maybe just include a recent photo with the application?

you have strong precedent

excellent point. one important distinction, however: i am a man. but in some sense, i think this makes my case even more unique. how many legit 10/10's do you see expressing interest in law school?

[Big Dog]

The law school I want to attend invites applicants to submit a diversity statement, because they strive to admit students with a variety of backgrounds, traits, and attributes.

Don't drink the kool-aid.

am recommending everyone submit a brief but genuine, unique diversity statement that highlights "human differences" that set them apart from most others.

And leave the adcoms wondering why (most) such statements just wasted their time...

[secadc11]

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[jbagelboy]

Wow this has blown up.

I have to say whoever made the ignorant comment that I am a rich Scandanavian clearly did not read the original post. I am middle class, certainly not rich, and have enough sense to not try to expound my home experience as somehow disadvantaged. In fact I mentioned the Norwegian in Minnesota aspect to show that I understand how COMMON that is.

I simply asked for a little advice, and got far too many condescending comments about my intelligence. If this is not a place to ask questions, I figure this forum should be re-named.

I know I have a "diverse" contribution to make and I will illustrate that via PS. Thanks to the posters who have been able to understand my original post as a true question and not some privileged diatribe.

fwiw, while other comments have been harsh, I described your experiences as "interesting and valuable," and said you were "not ignorant" but rather "self aware and competent" and intelligent. People were responding to those who were advocating for a diversity statement in problematic ways, not trying to criticize you as OP or imply you had some excessive privilege or lacked intellect (well there may have been a few people doing that a few pages back, but not what I was getting at).

I think you are right to illustrate your specific contribution via personal statement; it will also be reflected in your other materials. good luck with the applications!

[patogordo]

gatesome you're gonna make a great law student bro

[secadc11]

Jbagelboy, thank you. You and a few others had legitimate advice to instill and I thank you for that. You guys are the reason I have actual advice spawning from this post.

[McAvoy]

gatesome you're gonna make a great law student bro

[McAvoy]

Wow this has blown up.

I have to say whoever made the ignorant comment that I am a rich Scandanavian clearly did not read the original post. I am middle class, certainly not rich, and have enough sense to not try to expound my home experience as somehow disadvantaged. In fact I mentioned the Norwegian in Minnesota aspect to show that I understand how COMMON that is.

I simply asked for a little advice, and got far too many condescending comments about my intelligence. If this is not a place to ask questions, I figure this forum should be re-named.

I know I have a "diverse" contribution to make and I will illustrate that via PS. Thanks to the posters who have been able to understand my original post as a true question and not some privileged diatribe.

or you could just accept the fact that adcomms give zero fucks either way if you can't check the urm box and just write a ps that won't get you dinged

[1yrdeferral]

.

[McAvoy]

wow yale impressive

[Mack.Hambleton]

White female here, nothing particularly exceptional about my upbringing. I wrote a diversity statement for Harvard and Yale, and was accepted to both last year -- so if it didn't help me, at least it didn't hurt me to the extent that I was rejected.

I wrote about how I've been challenged by people who hold different opinions and how I've dealt with that diversity (in some cases fighting back against opposing beliefs, and in others adjusting to them), tying it to how those skills will help me in law school and a law career, and how I'll contribute to the diversity of the particular school through the depth and breadth of my experiences.

If you feel you have a strong statement, I suggest you submit it. If you feel like you're stretching it, you're probably right.

alt account

[A. Nony Mouse]

White female here, nothing particularly exceptional about my upbringing. I wrote a diversity statement for Harvard and Yale, and was accepted to both last year -- so if it didn't help me, at least it didn't hurt me to the extent that I was rejected.

I wrote about how I've been challenged by people who hold different opinions and how I've dealt with that diversity (in some cases fighting back against opposing beliefs, and in others adjusting to them), tying it to how those skills will help me in law school and a law career, and how I'll contribute to the diversity of the particular school through the depth and breadth of my experiences.

If you feel you have a strong statement, I suggest you submit it. If you feel like you're stretching it, you're probably right.

alt account

Not the OP.

[Kool-Aid Man]

The law school I want to attend invites applicants to submit a diversity statement, because they strive to admit students with a variety of backgrounds, traits, and attributes.

Don't drink the kool-aid.

Fuck you too Big Dog

[McAvoy]

160 character alt.

/wishes Badger Facts and Dessert Fox posted more

[A. Nony Mouse]

ratfukr, stop alting in the on-topics.

[1yrdeferral]

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alt account

Not the OP.

All this cynicism. I was just trying to help.

This is an alt account, but I'm not the OP. I posted quite a bit when I was applying last year, and I don't want to be connected to that account when I'm giving identifying information about myself -- as I did in this post.

[A. Nony Mouse]

For the record, users are only allowed to have one account at a time. It's fine to abandon a previous account and start a new one, but if you do, please let the mods know so we can ban the previous account.