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Do people send in Diversity statements for transfer admissions? My 0L PS was basically a diversity statement, but there isn't going to be room to insert a "Why Transfer" into this. I'm thinking of answering Why Transfer and submitting a separate diversity statement. Thoughts/recommendations, thanks

aca0260 wrote:Do people send in Diversity statements for transfer admissions? My 0L PS was basically a diversity statement, but there isn't going to be room to insert a "Why Transfer" into this. I'm thinking of answering Why Transfer and submitting a separate diversity statement. Thoughts/recommendations, thanks

I don't think transfer schools care about diversity in the 2L transfer class as they do for the 1L class. Anecdotally, my CN transfer class of 40+ people had only one AA. It's much more of a numbers game - schools want the top students from lesser ranked schools. Everything about diversity that benefits a school for its 1L class in USNEWS does not apply to transfers.

If you have something REALLY compelling, I would suggest that you work it into your PS. I essentially re-wrote/updated my PS from 1L, and I think it was a benefit because there were several people at the top of my class that applied and I was the only one accepted. Essentially I stressed how the motivations/goals that I outlined in my 1L PS played out during my 1L year, and how I hoped to continue that progression/development at the new school. I imagine that transfer personal statements don't matter at much compared to 1L, but if there are 3-4 people equally high in your class who are applying, it might be tie breaker. I also expect that almost every transfer PS is about the same, meaning it's somewhat easier to stand out if you do a good one.

ETA - this is only somewhat related, but might help. If there are any professors from whom you received CALI/A+/top grades in the class last semester, they should be your first choice for LORs even if you don't know them as well as someone else who you got a flat A or A- from. This is something else you can do to distinguish yourself from the other top students at your school.

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