No diversity statement Forum

[thenoob]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I couldn't find anything.

Will it hurt you if you don't write a diversity statement? I know there is nothing about me that is diverse enough to write about in a diversity statement. I also know all law schools want diversity. So if I don't write a diversity statement, will that negatively affect my admissions chances?

[pbarber]

I would think it probably will not help your case, you must be able to think of something, anything.......work experience, life experience......something that is different from the rest. A lot of ppl will have one so I think if u don't it might put you at a disadvantage....

GL

[Tiago Splitter]

It won't matter.

[RonnyDworkin]

It won't matter that much. "A lot of people sending in diversity statements" does not mean that most people do. And "a lot" will vary in meaning.

If there's sometime diverse and interesting about yourself, then sure. Don't attempt to make an event or character trait sound more interesting than it actually is. Might come off as a bad thing....

[MumofCad]

I'm not writing a diversity statement. I think its pretty clear from my PS what unique aspects I will bring to a law school class, and I have 4 LORs that will talk about other aspects of my character alongside my academic abilities. I don't want to over do it and really, I think if you don't have some ridiculously diverse thing to say about yourself then your PS should be an effective enough place to implicitly convey to the reader what is distinctive about you. Sometimes less is more. I've read quite a few diversity statements now that leave me thinking....really? I mean we are all different in some way or the other. I think a well-written diversity statement with the background to support it can probably help you, but at the same time, a diversity statement that is really a reach, has little substance, and comes off as insincere could display more vulnerability than strength.

Also, I think it depends a lot on what schools you are applying to. Some strongly hint at liking a diversity statement, while others seems to discourage the addition of optional essays unless there is a really compelling argument. Most of the schools I am really targeting don't particularly seem to like the thick apps.

[Tiago Splitter]

I have 4 LORs

Most of the schools I am really targeting don't particularly seem to like the thick apps.

[MrPapagiorgio]

I am a white male from the suburbs of the Northeast who has never really struggled in his life. So no, I did not include a diversity statement in my applications either because it would be ridiculous to think I have anything to bring to the table that would help add to the "diversity" of the school.

If you truly have something that sets you apart, it would be advantageous to send one. But, if you feel like you are stretching to make a claim of diversity, then it probably is not worth your time to write and the adcomm's time to read.

[MumofCad]

I have 4 LORs

Most of the schools I am really targeting don't particularly seem to like the thick apps.

I know, that's what I am saying. I have to cut back somewhere! I'm also a non-trad so that accounts for my LORs. 2 academic UG ones that are from totally different disciplines, one from the Department Head/prof of my PG work (I've done a master's and PhD so the UG ones are pretty far in the past though they prefer them), and finally a professional rec from a very prestigious position I have had working in a foreign environment and related to things I can only touch on in my PS. Adding a DS on top would be total overkill. Each LOR though should ad something unique or I would cut them. I know them all well, but in very very different contexts. I'm also doing no additional essays, have no addendum, and have worked any Why X statements into just targeted PSs (except for Yale and Harvard, which know why).

[llachans]

Hm. My personal statement kind of serves as a diversity statement. It discusses my struggle as an individual who is LGBT-identified and how those experiences caused me to pursue law. Does it hurt to let the personal statement serve as a personal essay AND a diversity statement?

I have a feeling it might be a little "We get it - - you're gay" if I write a diversity statement that rehashes what I discussed in my personal statement so I wasn't planning on including one.

[Tiago Splitter]

Hm. My personal statement kind of serves as a diversity statement. It discusses my struggle as an individual who is LGBT-identified and how those experiences caused me to pursue law. Does it hurt to let the personal statement serve as a personal essay AND a diversity statement?

I have a feeling it might be a little "We get it - - you're gay" if I write a diversity statement that rehashes what I discussed in my personal statement so I wasn't planning on including one.

I'd stick with just the PS then. Obviously your PS could have been on another topic in which case it would be perfectly appropriate to include a DS. I'd find the DS to be redundant unless you could focus it in a totally different direction from the PS.

[minnbills]

I am a white male from the suburbs of the Northeast who has never really struggled in his life. So no, I did not include a diversity statement in my applications either because it would be ridiculous to think I have anything to bring to the table that would help add to the "diversity" of the school.

+1

Whatever I bring to the table that the school will be interested in, I'll flesh that out in my personal statement.