Which is more helpful: writing why X law school or a diversity statement? Forum

[xephyr3]

4.03/160 stats, non-URM. I'm going to apply to as many T14s and T20s as I can.

If I'm not immediately rejected on numbers alone, and the adcomms get past my PS, should I write a diversity statement or why X law school essay?

[cavalier1138]

Neither of them are particularly helpful. Assuming (since there's no detail to go on) that you're a fairly average white person, writing a diversity statement could actually harm you, so I suppose a "Why [X]" would be better.

That said, you're wasting your GPA and should be retaking the LSAT instead of wasting time and money on long-shot applications.

[xephyr3]

I should clarify that I'm a first generation Southeast Asian college student and immigrant. Grew up in a single mother household and pretty much went through life in great financial difficulty.

I retook the LSAT 3 times so 160 is what I have to stick with.

[caitlinrw]

I should clarify that I'm a first generation Southeast Asian college student and immigrant. Grew up in a single mother household and pretty much went through life in great financial difficulty.

I retook the LSAT 3 times so 160 is what I have to stick with.

I would say write a diversity statement about your experiences growing up that kind of partners to tell a greater story with your personal statement. You might not be a URM, but telling a story with your PS and DS will get you further than you may think.

[cavalier1138]

I should clarify that I'm a first generation Southeast Asian college student and immigrant. Grew up in a single mother household and pretty much went through life in great financial difficulty.

I retook the LSAT 3 times so 160 is what I have to stick with.

Well, no. 160 is not what you have to stick with. You just have to wait a while before retaking, depending on when your first LSAT was.

A 160 gives you a bit of a shot at some of the T20, but with the possible exception of Berkeley (because their admissions process is slightly weird), you aren't getting anywhere in the T14 with that score.

[LikelyThrowaway]

Write both.