medical conditions = diversity fodder? Forum

[darcol764]

I'm guessing this has already been covered somewhere so I apologize in advance, but does anyone have a sense of the effect that having a rather unique medical condition can have on admissions chances? I want to use the optional diversity statement that most schools have to write about overcoming heart disease (three of my heart valves leak and i have had a pacemaker since I was 9 years old). Frankly it was an ace in the hole for me when I applied to undergrad and i was hoping that if I can write about it well and couple it with my 3.6 and 166, a few top 20 schools might bite?

thanks for the help!

[hijodehombre]

I'll write what I wrote in another thread (http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&t=128578), it has the potential to be a compelling PS, but not a DS, imo.

[bk1]

I don't think this would make a DS topic.

[darcol764]

really? if its not race or socioeconomic it doesnt count?

[trudat15]

really? if its not race or socioeconomic it doesnt count?

I've seen sexuality as well. But medical condition overcoming seems more like a PS.

[wolfpack11]

What about being physically handicapped ? Go diversity or PS ?

[manbearwig]

I think the reason this possibly wouldn't work as a DS is because diversity statements are about how you can bring a unique viewpoint to the campus. While you may have a compelling story, it doesn't sound like something that can bring a new spin to class discussions in general. Race or socioeconomic factors can do this because they probably had a huge effect on how that person was raised and grew up. Even with a medical condition, if a person grew up in a white, middle class social environment, they're still going to think like a white, middle class individual. Any differences about how you don't would be best addressed in a PS.

[Grizz]

Probably not going to help much, if at all, and I'd retake if you want T20. A 2-4 more points would do you nicely.

[St.Remy]

Certain medical conditions or handicaps I think would work for a DS, but only if the person reading it could clearly see how the condition or handicap would directly lead to being treated differently, having a significantly different perspective, etc. I think for most medical conditions though a DS would be ill advised.

[2ofspades]

I don't think this would make a DS topic.

I agree, but I also don't think including it would hurt your chances. Best to include it so that you don't have to wonder "what if." Good luck!

Certain medical conditions or handicaps I think would work for a DS, but only if the person reading it could clearly see how the condition or handicap would directly lead to being treated differently, having a significantly different perspective, etc.

I agree with this too. I think diseases like HIV or paralysis would be excellent examples, but I don't see how a treatable heart condition would result in an admissions boost.