Diagnosed wit Aspergers at 11. Diversity statement material? Forum

[Broncos847]

So I was an awkward child who had more interest in fantasy novels and staying in then a social life, prompting a bunch of visits to psychologists and an Aspergers diagnosis while I was in the sixth grade. After discovering girls I got my shit together, started trying really hard to pick up on refine social graces, and ended up with a ton of friends, a lot of luck with women, and altogether a pretty damn good social life for my high school and undergraduate years.

I was wondering if anyone here thinks this could make for a compelling diversity statement? Perhaps discuss overcoming the challenge of having difficulty relating to my peers, carrying on a conversation, etc? Or would this just scare schools off because they have no idea if my social skills have really improved and they think being on the spectrum would negatively effect my chances of becoming a successful lawyer? I'm a splitter and would like to differentiate myself somehow, but i'm just another relatively well off white guy applying to the T14.

Any thoughts?

[sparty99]

So I was an awkward child who had more interest in fantasy novels and staying in then a social life, prompting a bunch of visits to psychologists and an Aspergers diagnosis while I was in the sixth grade. After discovering girls I got my shit together, started trying really hard to pick up on refine social graces, and ended up with a ton of friends, a lot of luck with women, and altogether a pretty damn good social life for my high school and undergraduate years.

I was wondering if anyone here thinks this could make for a compelling diversity statement? Perhaps discuss overcoming the challenge of having difficulty relating to my peers, carrying on a conversation, etc? Or would this just scare schools off because they have no idea if my social skills have really improved and they think being on the spectrum would negatively effect my chances of becoming a successful lawyer? I'm a splitter and would like to differentiate myself somehow, but i'm just another relatively well off white guy applying to the T14.

Any thoughts?

No. No one cares that you are a dude bro that bangs females. No one.

[smile0751]

Completely depends on how tactfully you address the topic. I think it has potential, but you don't want to come off as showy or inauthentic. But yeah, I don't know how having a student with social problems will add to the diversity of a class. It's up to you to figure that out.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

Absolutely not. No law school wants more students with aspergers.

[BillsFan9907]

Mentioning that you have aspergers is itself a sign of aspergers. Its one of those things that is too much information. Now, I know someone who had a great cycle and mentioned her struggle with bipolar in her PS. She took a huge risk though. Attitudes on here about white people writing diversity statements are highly negative. Unless your ancestors were slaves or harassed by Davey Crocket, then you really need to think long and hard about the benefits of writing a DS.

BTW how did you get your shit together? Did you read The Game or something ?

[banjo]

This kind of diversity is nearly useless to law schools for one simple reason: law firms don't value it. At top schools, students who are "diverse" for law firm hiring purposes -- AA, MA, Asians, LGBT, etc. -- can bring in thousands of dollars in firm sponsorships for various events, relieving student activities of a significant financial burden. Firms also lavish diversity-based organizations with networking opportunities and other perks, making life a little easier for career services. And of course, diverse students (as understood by law firms) are also eligible for diversity SAs and, anecdotally, even get a little boost for certain clerkships and other jobs.

I'm not saying that the desire for varied perspectives doesn't play a role in law school admissions; it does. Just saying that certain kinds of diversity result in financial and other rewards for top law schools by virtue of their appeal to elite firms, and asperger's is not one of them.

[PeanutsNJam]

This kind of diversity is nearly useless to law schools for one simple reason: law firms don't value it. At top schools, students who are "diverse" for law firm hiring purposes -- AA, MA, Asians, LGBT, etc. -- can bring in thousands of dollars in firm sponsorships for various events, relieving student activities of a significant financial burden. Firms also lavish diversity-based organizations with networking opportunities and other perks, making life a little easier for career services. And of course, diverse students (as understood by law firms) are also eligible for diversity SAs and, anecdotally, even get a little boost for certain clerkships and other jobs.

I'm not saying that the desire for varied perspectives doesn't play a role in law school admissions; it does. Just saying that certain kinds of diversity result in financial and other rewards for top law schools by virtue of their appeal to elite firms, and asperger's is not one of them.

FTFY. You don't even get a URM boost if you're like Burmese or something.

[03152016]

This kind of diversity is nearly useless to law schools for one simple reason: law firms don't value it. At top schools, students who are "diverse" for law firm hiring purposes -- AA, MA, Asians, LGBT, etc. -- can bring in thousands of dollars in firm sponsorships for various events, relieving student activities of a significant financial burden. Firms also lavish diversity-based organizations with networking opportunities and other perks, making life a little easier for career services. And of course, diverse students (as understood by law firms) are also eligible for diversity SAs and, anecdotally, even get a little boost for certain clerkships and other jobs.

I'm not saying that the desire for varied perspectives doesn't play a role in law school admissions; it does. Just saying that certain kinds of diversity result in financial and other rewards for top law schools by virtue of their appeal to elite firms, and asperger's is not one of them.

FTFY. You don't even get a URM boost if you're like Burmese or something.

dude just stop

[smile0751]

This kind of diversity is nearly useless to law schools for one simple reason: law firms don't value it. At top schools, students who are "diverse" for law firm hiring purposes -- AA, MA, Asians, LGBT, etc. -- can bring in thousands of dollars in firm sponsorships for various events, relieving student activities of a significant financial burden. Firms also lavish diversity-based organizations with networking opportunities and other perks, making life a little easier for career services. And of course, diverse students (as understood by law firms) are also eligible for diversity SAs and, anecdotally, even get a little boost for certain clerkships and other jobs.

I'm not saying that the desire for varied perspectives doesn't play a role in law school admissions; it does. Just saying that certain kinds of diversity result in financial and other rewards for top law schools by virtue of their appeal to elite firms, and asperger's is not one of them.

What's MA?

[BillsFan9907]

This kind of diversity is nearly useless to law schools for one simple reason: law firms don't value it. At top schools, students who are "diverse" for law firm hiring purposes -- AA, MA, Asians, LGBT, etc. -- can bring in thousands of dollars in firm sponsorships for various events, relieving student activities of a significant financial burden. Firms also lavish diversity-based organizations with networking opportunities and other perks, making life a little easier for career services. And of course, diverse students (as understood by law firms) are also eligible for diversity SAs and, anecdotally, even get a little boost for certain clerkships and other jobs.

I'm not saying that the desire for varied perspectives doesn't play a role in law school admissions; it does. Just saying that certain kinds of diversity result in financial and other rewards for top law schools by virtue of their appeal to elite firms, and asperger's is not one of them.

What's MA?

+

[Desert Fox]

Not having autism is diversity at a top law school.

[Felix the Cat]

So I was an awkward child who had more interest in fantasy novels and staying in then a social life, prompting a bunch of visits to psychologists and an Aspergers diagnosis while I was in the sixth grade. After discovering girls I got my shit together, started trying really hard to pick up on refine social graces, and ended up with a ton of friends, a lot of luck with women, and altogether a pretty damn good social life for my high school and undergraduate years.

I was wondering if anyone here thinks this could make for a compelling diversity statement? Perhaps discuss overcoming the challenge of having difficulty relating to my peers, carrying on a conversation, etc? Or would this just scare schools off because they have no idea if my social skills have really improved and they think being on the spectrum would negatively effect my chances of becoming a successful lawyer? I'm a splitter and would like to differentiate myself somehow, but i'm just another relatively well off white guy applying to the T14.

Any thoughts?

Don't do this.

I was also a splitter who was in a similar situation to you some years ago but I think I called it "maturing and learning how to be social" which isn't quite enough for a diversity statement. If you think hard enough you'll probably think of a better way to pitch your uniqueness. Believe me it can be done.

[BillsFan9907]

OP - please, please please tell us its because you read the Game and became a sarge monster.

[CicerBRo]

Agree, sounds like a bad decision. I'm at law school now, and socially awkward people are a dime a dozen.