Diversity Statement???? Forum

[blugirl400]

I've been struggling with whether or not I should write a diversity statement. I am an upper middle class, white female. I have struggled with depression (I figure I shouldn't tell law schools this though) and had alcoholism in the family (just don't know how to put a positive spin on this). I also went to an honors college and wrote a thesis so I thought maybe I could write about this. I don't know, I feel like I'm grasping at straws but I don't want to be lazy and not write one when it could help. Anyway, suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

[gaud]

Write it. Then decide.

Good luck!

[dingbat]

I'm not seeing any diversity here, but there's plenty of material for a personal statement

[prssrnt17]

I'm not seeing any diversity here, but there's plenty of material for a personal statement

+1

[stuckinthemiddle]

I'm not seeing any diversity here, but there's plenty of material for a personal statement

+1

Yes.

Writing an honors thesis is definitely not material for a DS. Depression and alcoholism seem like they would be more appropriately mentioned in an addendum. Don't write a DS on either of these topics.

[DEO3029]

The content you posted here doesn't really lend itself to a diversity statement but I have read (what I thought to be) relatively interesting diversity statements written by wealthier people about either some deep realizations arrived through interactions with people of other backgrounds or about a disparate set of experiences.

[blugirl400]

Do you have any examples of these?

[dingbat]

I have read (what I thought to be) relatively interesting diversity statements written by wealthier people about either some deep realizations arrived through interactions with people of other backgrounds or about a disparate set of experiences.

Actually, that kind of diversity statement just screams "entitled douchebag"

[TripTrip]

I don't want to be lazy and not write one when it could help.

Giving admissions committees what they ask for - no useless essays - could also help!

[Nova]

The depressed and alcohalic are over represented in law school. It is not diverse.

However, you could write your PS about overcoming your plights and how you have become a better, stronger person because of your experiences.

[somewhatwayward]

Honestly I wouldn't mention depression or alcoholism unless you have to to explain something like a forced leave of absence. Even then I might suggest just saying you had to leave to treat a medical condition. If you are going to law school, presumably you intend to apply for admission to the bar, and they will look back to your law school applications for anything that might suggest to them that you are not fit (ironic since so many people already admitted have addictions and mental health problems). If your depression did come to light, you could still gain admission to the bar by showing you are doing what you need to do to manage it, but the best thing is simply not to bring it up at all if possible.

(Disclaimer: the following is not legal advice - just my opinion based on reading character and fitness questionnaires.) The bar will ask a question like 'do you have a mental health condition that is currently impairing your ability to practice law' or something like that (varies from state to state) and you don't have to say yes even if you have depression if it is not currently impairing. I am not advocating actively hiding something from the bar, but I think the question is phrased in that way (current impairment) because denying someone on the basis of simply having a condition may be discriminatory. Thus I think it is honest and not hiding anything to say no if your condition is not currently impairing you. Anyway I am getting off topic, but my recommendation is to write about something else.

[Nova]

^

I agree that NOT writing about depression is ideal.

If you have anything else to passionately write about, it would be much safer to write about that.

Writing a PS about overcoming personal demons is risky, but can effective if done well.

Still, avoid risk if possible.

[blugirl400]

I have a ps and am pretty happy with it.

[blugirl400]

Not mentioning any of those things, lol.

[TripTrip]

I have a ps and am pretty happy with it.

Then stop worrying about PS and DS and start writing your "Why X?" essays instead to avoid YP.

[blugirl400]

YP??

[TripTrip]

YP??

According to your other thread, you're applying to Lewis & Clark below the median. Don't worry about what YP is; it won't affect you.

[blugirl400]

Well actually haven't got my lsat score yet, so don't know for sure.