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I'm not a URM but I have an interesting heritage (at least, in my opinion). I come from a family of Yemenite Jews and grew up hearing Hebrew, eating Yemenite foods, learning the traditions etc. of this small but culturally-rich group. It's definitely shaped my life and had large impacts for my family.

I know that Middle Eastern heritage does not get a boost from adcomms, but should I still write a diversity statement? I definitely think this background will help me stand out from the student body and add a new perspective. I wasn't sure if diversity statements were truly beneficial for non-URMs, however.

Thank you.

yes, you should write one. it isn't going to be a game-changer in your cycle but it gives you a chance to show another side of you which, IMO, can only help you seem appealing overall.

Write it.

If you feel you bring diversity then write a DS. It may not be helpful, but if well-written it isn't going to hurt you and it is always possible that it will help.

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Thanks everyone, I am going to write it now that I know it could possibly be of benefit to me. Is it basically like a second personal statement?

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And so, should a DS be written for anyone who has a significant "diverse" experience?

My wife is a first generation minority, I am bilingual, and I have spent significant time overseas on 4 different continents experiencing diverse cultures beyond the typical "backpacking Europe for a summer" cliche . Does this warrant a DS or simply worked into a PS?

(Sorry if this is a high jacking post...DS statements in general are not clear to me)

Remember that diversity statements don't have to be just about race, religion, or nationality. They can be about nontraditional upbringings, disability, hardships overcome, etc. Anything that you think gives you a unique perspective to bring to the table and that you haven't covered in your personal essay is fine for a diversity statement. I wrote a very atypical diversity statement about an experience I had that I guarantee nobody else in this cycle did, and it got me into some amazing schools.

I did a similar one on Sephardic Judaism. I don't think it helped me or hurt me, but for some reason I felt like you were supposed to write one at the time.

booyakasha wrote:I did a similar one on Sephardic Judaism. I don't think it helped me or hurt me, but for some reason I felt like you were supposed to write one at the time.

That sounds really interesting and possibly similar to parts of mine. I can't see how a DS can hurt you unless it's about something that will bar you from doing well in school or commiting illegal acts without proof of reform. I don't know how much they really help... probably barely at all. But hey, I could use that "barely"!

Dude, you should totally write a diversity statement. American-born Jews are seriously underrepresented in the legal field. You are so unique!

Hey, I have a question about this too.

Do most schools accept a Diversity Statement? I know Indiana requires one, but do most/all schools accept one?

My P.S. talks about my diversity, and I've had a couple people tell me I should take that out and just write a D.S.; however, not knowing which schools accept them I haven't done so yet.

I already have an addendum, would adding a D.S. too give them too much paperwork?

Xnegd wrote:Hey, I have a question about this too.

Do most schools accept a Diversity Statement? I know Indiana requires one, but do most/all schools accept one?

My P.S. talks about my diversity, and I've had a couple people tell me I should take that out and just write a D.S.; however, not knowing which schools accept them I haven't done so yet.

I already have an addendum, would adding a D.S. too give them too much paperwork?

If they accept it, might as well write it. IIRC, most schools accept them.

Being Jewish is helpful.

bk187 wrote:

Xnegd wrote:Hey, I have a question about this too.

Do most schools accept a Diversity Statement? I know Indiana requires one, but do most/all schools accept one?

My P.S. talks about my diversity, and I've had a couple people tell me I should take that out and just write a D.S.; however, not knowing which schools accept them I haven't done so yet.

I already have an addendum, would adding a D.S. too give them too much paperwork?

If they accept it, might as well write it. IIRC, most schools accept them.

Thanks!

Canarsie wrote:

booyakasha wrote:I did a similar one on Sephardic Judaism. I don't think it helped me or hurt me, but for some reason I felt like you were supposed to write one at the time.

That sounds really interesting and possibly similar to parts of mine. I can't see how a DS can hurt you unless it's about something that will bar you from doing well in school or commiting illegal acts without proof of reform. I don't know how much they really help... probably barely at all. But hey, I could use that "barely"!

I think it could hurt if it's obvious you're just trying to BS your way into being diverse. I didn't write one because I'm simply not that unusual. Female, white, suburban, upper-middle class, Jewish (as in the typical, American "cultural Jew" only going to synagogue for the high holidays), liberal arts school =/= diversity statement material. Trying to claim I'm unique when I'm not would only look bad on me.

dominkay wrote:Dude, you should totally write a diversity statement. American-born Ashkenazi Jews are seriously underrepresented in the legal field. You are so unique!

FTFY. But seriously, yes I know. I am not trying to focus on my religion so much as my culture which I feel has shaped the way I am and think, etc. I have yet to meet another person of the same culture as me outside of Israel (which is where most of them currently live, not even in the home country, and certainly not the US). I do think I have some unusual opinions and perspective on some matters and would like to bring that to the table in law school. Thus the DS.