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...EDIT

or, better yet, should I even include this info in my personal statement?

I think you should send in your updated PS if you want them to read it. It shouldn't be a problem to update it, unless the deadline has already passed.

Cool, thanks. I'll be sending it to CLS and NYU, so I'm fine with the deadlines.

Hmm, I don't know about an HIV ps......it just seems like it could hurt you more than help you b/c it 1. makes people sad and 2. makes people scared. I am so 100% sorry for your situation and I wish you the best of luck in beating this thing and living healthy for the rest of your life but I just don't know if it is a good ps topic for purposes of a transfer app.

I could be very, VERY wrong.

Whatever you do, you would be wise to make each PS narrowlytailored.

Bankhead wrote:Whatever you do, you would be wise to make each PS narrowlytailored.

and make sure there are no other less restrictive measures that might be used...

I don't think including HIV positive in an application is a smart move.

It's a bit too personal. And while the ability to overcome that and deal with it is admirable, your ability to overcome should be shown in other ways more relevant to success in law school.

I would leave it out.

...

A'nold wrote:Hmm, I don't know about an HIV ps......it just seems like it could hurt you more than help you b/c it 1. makes people sad and 2. makes people scared. I am so 100% sorry for your situation and I wish you the best of luck in beating this thing and living healthy for the rest of your life but I just don't know if it is a good ps topic for purposes of a transfer app.

I could be very, VERY wrong.

Announcing HIV positive status would probably be a very bad move if you want to transfer to University of Alabama but I think for CLS and NYU it's somewhat risky but with a potential payoff. Elite ultraliberal universities in a gay friendly city (not that OP is necessarily gay, but because HIV stigma is lower in areas that have gone through a huge wave of deaths followed by the mostly conversion to a chronic condition) may see this as a diversity issue or just have sympathy and admiration. I don't think most will be scared. It's possible, individuals can be ignorant and react in different ways, but many might see it as an opportunity to add an unusual voice to the classroom and you can definitely spin it in an advocacy direction that at least NYU might like.

Tough call, but I doubt it will help anyway. This is not the type of soft factor that will win favor with employers at OCI, nor does it demonstrate any compelling need to be at a particular school.

However, if there was some clear impact on your grades (i.e. you were diagnosed the night before your Ks exam and that ended up being your lowest grade) it is certainly appropriate as an addendum.

A'nold wrote:Hmm, I don't know about an HIV ps......it just seems like it could hurt you more than help you b/c it 1. makes people sad and 2. makes people scared. I am so 100% sorry for your situation and I wish you the best of luck in beating this thing and living healthy for the rest of your life but I just don't know if it is a good ps topic for purposes of a transfer app.

I could be very, VERY wrong.

idk... I think it could work... OP dealt with it during 1L and still came out with stellar grades. That says a lot about OP. Also, how would OP's HIV make ad coms scared?

this makes my story look like crap.

booyakasha wrote:

A'nold wrote:Hmm, I don't know about an HIV ps......it just seems like it could hurt you more than help you b/c it 1. makes people sad and 2. makes people scared. I am so 100% sorry for your situation and I wish you the best of luck in beating this thing and living healthy for the rest of your life but I just don't know if it is a good ps topic for purposes of a transfer app.

I could be very, VERY wrong.

idk... I think it could work... OP dealt with it during 1L and still came out with stellar grades. That says a lot about OP. Also, how would OP's HIV make ad coms scared?

Doesnt it depend on how the OP got HIV?
If he looks like he is at fault or completely blameless?

Definitely agree... Most 1Ls find it difficult just dealing with the normal, adjustments of law school. OP dealt with that, with HIV and came out with stellar grades. It speaks to this person's character and ability to stay focused in the face of extreme adversity.

I can't see a situation where CLS or NYU would be scared. I think they would commend OP.

thexfactor wrote:
Doesnt it depend on how the OP got HIV?
If he looks like he is at fault or completely blameless?

It's not an origin story it's a diagnosis. Nobody asks you how you got tuberculosis and they won't ask about HIV.

thexfactor wrote:

booyakasha wrote:

A'nold wrote:Hmm, I don't know about an HIV ps......it just seems like it could hurt you more than help you b/c it 1. makes people sad and 2. makes people scared. I am so 100% sorry for your situation and I wish you the best of luck in beating this thing and living healthy for the rest of your life but I just don't know if it is a good ps topic for purposes of a transfer app.

I could be very, VERY wrong.

idk... I think it could work... OP dealt with it during 1L and still came out with stellar grades. That says a lot about OP. Also, how would OP's HIV make ad coms scared?

Doesnt it depend on how the OP got HIV?
If he looks like he is at fault or completely blameless?

No? OP doesn't have to (and probably shouldn't) focus on that.

I think it's a story that should be told. At the very least, I'm sure his/her application/personal statement will stand out for its sheer uniqueness amid the sea of transfer applications.