diversity essay law school examples

Law School Diversity Statement Examples That Worked!

Law school diversity statements seem simple enough at first glance, but crafting a unique essay that doesn’t simply regurgitate elements of your law school personal statement is harder than you may expect. Diversity statements demand concise but sophisticated introspection, and this tension can make drafting and editing feel dizzying. Don’t worry though—with some basic guidelines and a few examples to consult, you can easily craft a standout diversity statement that perfectly complements and enhances the rest of your law school application.

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Article Contents 11 min read

The law school diversity statement vs personal statement.

Understanding the ultra-specific purpose of the law school diversity statement is the first and most important step in beginning your drafts, and no one really knows these tiny differences except for law school admissions consulting professionals. And you are in luck! We are sharing these details with you today!

At first glance, it’s hard to figure out how to avoid redundancy with the personal statement. After all, answering the question of who you are is central to both essays, and since a big part of that is showing both the social and personal forces that have shaped you, it may seem difficult to determine what information goes where.

Fortunately, there are some significant structural differences that can help you organize your thoughts. At the outset, it’s important to understand that the diversity statement, with some exceptions, is almost always constructed in response to a specific prompt and is usually considered as a law school optional essay . Conversely, the personal statement is almost never constrained to a specific question, and rather asks you to explain who you are in a broad sense.

The law school diversity statement is therefore a counterpart to the personal statement, and serves as a deeper, more detailed explanation of how you understand yourself in relation to the world. Think of the personal statement as more heavily focused on your intrinsic understanding of yourself—your motivations and the experiences that illustrate them—and the diversity statement as more focused on extrinsic/external or contextual factors. It’s still about you, but it needs to show an understanding of your place(s) in the world.

It’s important to note right away that “diversity” and “adversity” are not synonyms. Many students fall into the trap of considering diversity in wholly negative terms, or that their diversity must have been the target of some sort of difficulty or bias in order to be worth discussing. This is often the case, of course, but diversity essays are often not so specific. Law schools want to understand how your uniqueness has shaped you and your relationship to the people and social structures around you. Even more importantly, they want to see what this allows you to bring to the school and your cohort of students if admitted. The uniqueness of your perspective and sense of self does not need to be the result of staggering adversity in order to warrant a diversity essay, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the essay prompt.So, what qualifies as diversity? There are some traditional categories of identity and experience that are commonly discussed in diversity statements, such as these:

Keep in mind that these are just examples of diversity topics you can cover in your diversity essay – you are encouraged to explore a variety of diversity elements that made you who you are.

It’s crucial to be able to talk about the ways in which these identifiers or characteristics posed experiences of difference or uniqueness at various points in your life, as well as how these experiences would shape your performance as a law student. Again, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been the target of overt bias or discrimination, although if that’s the case you absolutely should discuss it. What matters most is that these qualities allow you to contribute a unique voice to your chosen program.

On the other hand, there are ways in which these characteristics can be hard to mine, so to speak. You need to be able to discuss the ways in which the particularities of your identity make you stand out from other applicants, how they’ve influenced your pursuit of a law degree, and how they can make a positive impact both at the institutional level and in the lives of your fellow students. As Harvard Law School notes, “Think carefully about whether and how you use this optional component. There are times when an application is actually weakened by an optional statement due to a lack of cohesion or relevance to the rest of the file.”

You should take that note of caution with a grain of salt, however. Yes, it’s true that writing a flat or ineffective diversity essay is likely worse than not including one at all, but to reiterate a point we’ve made a few times now, a compelling narrative that captures your sense of difference and diversity is absolutely worth writing, even if the particularities don’t seem totally bombastic to you. Odds are you have something to discuss, whether it’s a big move or an unlikely extracurricular pursuit. The point is that it has impacted you and will, in turn, impact your performance in law school. 

Are you wondering which law school application components admission committees value the most?

In the prompts you encounter, it’s worth noting that many schools will offer a working definition of what they believe diversity to be. Be mindful of this when crafting your statement—that is, show that you “understand the assignment,” so to speak. In other words, always answer the prompt. Attention to detail is always important on graduate school applications, but especially so for law, which is rooted in linguistic specificity and careful constructions. Moreover, having a preexistent definition to work with can serve as a springboard for your own exploration of how your unique identity can contribute to a diverse student cohort.

Law School Diversity Statement Example 1 – Stanford

“[Describe] how your background, life and work experiences, advanced studies, extracurricular or community activities, culture, socio-economic status, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other factors would contribute to the diversity of the entering class (and hence to your classmates’ law school educational experience)."

Despite growing up surrounded by other Inuit in Igloolik, I have been aware of the fundamental uniqueness of my people and culture for as long as I can remember. Each time I travelled inland across the light blue, glimmering channel, I was met with an ever-evolving mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces, languages, and activities. As I got older and began travelling further away from the island, the vast complexity of Canada’s cultures both fascinated me and deepened my understanding of who I was. By the time I applied to college, I had amassed a network of friends and acquaintances that included French-speakers, recent immigrants, and people from many other first peoples and nations. Among the many diverging aspects of our identities and upbringings that we discussed, one dimension that continually piqued my interest was the role of tradition and law in our individual understandings of ourselves and our cultures. I was especially intrigued by the varying definition of law and legality across cultures—the diversity of oral and written traditions, of worldviews and codified legal systems. It’s not surprising that I became deeply drawn toward the study of environmental law midway through my undergraduate years, and have only grown more immersed as I’ve completed my studies.

The complexity of diverging concepts of law and tradition in relation to environmental stewardship has been a central drive for my seeking a career in law. It’s not simply that my being Inuk is unique in itself, but that the radical uniqueness of our traditional lands compared to that of the rest of North America makes my understanding of human and environmental interaction extremely unique. The ways in which institutional land management practices and legal designations have evolved over time, specific to regions and peoples, is something to which I’m keenly attuned, and is a central gravitational pull in my scholarship both present and future. The environmental law track at Stanford Law would therefore not only allow me to continue developing my own understanding, but to share it with other students and study groups who come from significantly different cultural backgrounds and places. I of course believe having representation of first peoples in any academic program is a boon to its diversity of worldview and ideology, but I think especially so in Stanford’s environmental law program, whose faculty have played an important role in positively resolving environmental disputes between the Muwekma-Ohlone and state and federal governments. The uniqueness of these tensions in Northern communities has afforded me, what I believe, an uncommon but deeply informed perspective that can be of great benefit to the work of students and faculty alike. (438 words)

Want to review the basics of a good law school personal statement? Our video’s got you covered:

“An applicant may choose to describe the challenges as a first-generation college graduate; an applicant's struggle with a serious physical or mental disability; an applicant's encounter with discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or national origin; or an applicant's limited educational opportunities due to geographical or other restrictions; or whatever the applicant believes is appropriate and relevant. The committee believes factors such as these may contribute to an applicant's academic potential and how they will enhance the richness and diversity of the learning environment.”

Breaking nearly half the bones in my body before finishing high school was in some ways almost a benefit as a student. My being born with osteogenesis imperfecta type IV was a terrifying prospect for my parents, and it has of course regularly been an obstacle to doing a lot of normal things. But recovering from broken collarbones, femurs, and more than a dozen skull fractures, among much else, gave me a lot of time to read. In fact, reading was about all I could do most of the time, as my parents couldn’t afford typical distractions like cable or gaming systems throughout my childhood. Although I did end up watching fuzzy reruns of Night Court when my recent library haul ran out, I’d much more readily cite Mary Shelley as an inspiration to pursue law studies than Harry Anderson.

Oddly enough, though, I often felt lucky as a kid. Growing up poor with a fairly dangerous genetic disorder didn’t register as an oppressive restriction most days but rather, oddly enough, a kind of natural simplicity in my environment. It wasn’t until I got into my teenage years that I understood just how hard my parents had to work to maintain the perceptual bubble that made me feel like our situation was at least mostly normal. Once I started to really understand just how much of a toll my condition and our economic circumstances took on them, I became firmly convinced that I wanted to make sure others in similar situations would have more resources and opportunities than we did.

Disability law became a central focus of my recreational reading during my prelaw years, and I was fortunate enough to gain a significant amount of experience volunteering with X University’s specialty legal aid clinic. What this afforded me most of all was an expansion of my perspective on disability’s ubiquitous intertwinement with poverty. What had been heavily conditioned by my personal experience was now complemented by the lives and cases of dozens of others who had experienced similar—and in one case nearly identical—difficulties, and this galvanized my drive to pursue a career in law to an even greater degree.

This aspect of my life is, I believe, an incredible gift to my ability to perform as a student and to add a unique perspective to those around me. There are still some hurdles that come along with it, but I’ve gotten pretty good at remembering my glasses and avoiding bone breaks. I hope to be a source not only of both anecdotal and professional insight into disability and poverty law issues, but also an encouraging and (if I may say so) pretty well-humored presence in my cohort. I can’t imagine getting to where I am without my sense of humor, but I also can’t imagine not trying to share that in the trenches with my fellow law students throughout the arduous experience of JD work. (487 words)

Law School Diversity Statement Example 3 – Georgetown University

“Georgetown Law is proud of its strong community of students from diverse backgrounds. We encourage you to attach a brief statement to help the Admissions Committee understand the contribution your personal background would make to our community”

Entering law school at 42 is frankly terrifying. Or, it would be, had I not spent so much of the last 15 years navigating an equally volatile environment: Bornean rainforests. The basics of my time with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation are covered in my other application materials, but what isn't clear through those details is just how tense and dangerous our rescue operations often were. The longstanding tension between agricultural concerns and animal welfare groups is something most people surmise, but the specifics of this tension are often poorly reported outside of Indonesia.

During my second year with BOSF I assisted in an operation near Kalimantan to rescue three orangutans who had hunkered down in the rubble amidst an illegal logging operation. They wouldn't move from the node of the forest they had lived in for years prior, and were under direct threat of being injured or even killed in a clearcut. Navigating the difficult and patience-testing process of extracting animals from their shattered home was one thing, but the sheer volume of armed timber company employees and their initial unwillingness to let us attempt to rescue the animals made it one of the most overwhelming days of my life. Many, even most, of the rescue operations we undertook didn't have that level of immediate, palpable tension, but this experience was sadly not totally unique, and despite my decade of work in the field I still found subsequent situations like this absolutely draining for days afterward.

I think the hard-earned ability and stamina to deal with that kind of situational complexity is a key part of what makes me a unique candidate for law school. Commercial arbitration and corporate mediation pale entirely in comparison to negotiating a pause between a moving excavator and a terrified huddle of great apes, all while a dozen rifles were pointed at me. (309 words)

It may be initially difficult to decide whether a supplemental law school diversity statement is the right choice for you, and that’s okay! Uncertainty is a natural part of the application process, and especially when it comes to your personal statement and other essays. Start early and give yourself enough time to really contemplate the factors that have shaped you and your understanding of yourself. Mostly importantly, understand the need to stay focused and on topic throughout your diversity essay—by submitting one, you’re asking for additional time and consideration, so make sure you communicate something unique and meaningful when you write it. And remember, every application component matters when it comes to getting that coveted law school interview invite! So, before you even start prepping with law school interview questions , make sure that every single aspect of your application is perfect before you submit!

This is a hard question to answer devoid of context, and to really decide you’ll need to take some notes and even write a first draft. However, the main things to consider are: what particularities of your identity have made your path to law school especially challenging or unique; and, will these contribute something notable or positive to your performance in the program? It’s important to remember that relevant identity characteristics aren’t necessary just ethnic or racial identity but can include nearly anything that’s made your path especially unique and challenging. Some schools want to a diversity statement if you’ve experienced significant adversity, but many schools encourage a broader discussion that doesn’t need to hinge on the problematic aspects of your identity.

As always, check your specific schools’ websites for a word count, as this does vary by institution quite a bit. However, a general range is 350-500 words.

Generally no. You’ll want to explain how this has impacted you, and ideally how you’ve overcome it to some extent. Law schools are incredibly competitive and the JD is a difficult program regardless of institution—law schools want to know you can adapt to difficult circumstances and make the best of them.

Difficulty is an inherently subjective thing. What seems like a minor inconvenience to you, even compared to the experienced of your friends or acquaintances, may still very well be fertile ground for a supplemental diversity essay. The key is to not rush mapping out your essay, and to give yourself time to examine the many ways—often subtle—in which your unique identity or class has impacted you.

Possibly! If you feel strongly that your application would benefit from an additional diversity essay, and that this information somehow can’t be adequately discussed in your personal statement, then reach our to the school’s administrative body to ask if they accept supplemental essays. While not every law school explicitly invites the diversity essay, they all profess a commitment to diversity in admissions and may be open to a diversity statement if you have a really clear reason for the request.

Although it’s quite a bit shorter than the personal statement and many other types of supplemental essays, the diversity essay should follow roughly the same structure as these other elements. The most important point is to get to the point quickly—within a sentence or two max, you need to make it clear why you’ve written a diversity essay and exactly what qualities/characteristics/experiences make you unique. From here, you’ll want to “show don’t tell” why this is aspect of you makes you a unique candidate. Don’t just list that you grew up on Neptune and move on, but describe the icy surface and supersonic winds that shaped your childhood. Develop these details into a discussion of how they shaped your personality and approach to life and/or law, and close with at least one or two sentences that clearly indicate why this difference is relevant to law school in particular. Keep in mind, though, that responding to the prompt’s specific wording is key. Some prompts will simply ask you to explain why you’re a unique candidate, others will ask you to more thoroughly relate this to law. You’ll want to do both to some extent, but it’s crucial to balance these two dimensions of your statement based on the specific instructions of your school.

One of the best aspects of the diversity essay is its flexibility—the potential topics are vast and numerous. Common foci include ethnic, gender, national, and cultural identity uniqueness, but these kinds of permanent or intrinsic qualities aren’t the only options. You should also feel encouraged to explore the experiences and commitments that you feel have made you a unique person and candidate for law school. These may include long-term and short-term experiences, jobs, trips, even uncommon relationships. The only real boundary is that this discussion needs to be at least somewhat relevant to law school, but as long as you’re able to relate your narrative or essay to this even somewhat, go for it!

Personal statements are on average quite a bit longer and somewhat general, whereas a diversity statement is asking you to answer a much more specific question in less space. Moreover, personal statements are meant to be comprehensive narratives that delve into your big-picture motivations for attending law school and what you hope to do in the future, at least to some extent. Conversely, a diversity statement is much more focused on the past, and specifically those factors that have brought you to the present moment. In a way, we can summarize the difference like this: a personal statement deals heavily in what you’ve done and what you want to do, and a diversity statement is about who you are.

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How to write a diversity statement for law school + example.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 04/15/24

If you’re wondering how to write a law school diversity statement, this article will provide insight into what you need to do to write a stellar statement.

Deciding to write a diversity statement for law school is not always the easiest call to make. In many ways, writing a diversity statement requires you to be vulnerable and speak candidly about factors in your life that have contributed to your identity. You'll have to talk about the core of who you are, which can often be challenging.

This article will cover when and how to write your diversity statement and dissect a few successful diversity statement examples. We will also go over some other burning questions you may have about writing a diversity statement.

A Complete Law School Diversity Statement Example

Now that we’ve gone over some tips on writing your statement, we’ll be looking at one of the best law school diversity statement examples and breaking down what makes it a great one. The statement we’ll be looking at below was written by Madeline Baker, a student from the California Western School of Law . 

A Strong Start

Baker’s diversity statement starts strong as she dives straight into her story.

“I was adopted when I was less than one year old from the North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. I grew up in Seattle, Washington with Caucasian parents and attended private school until college. American culture was inescapably my sole identity. Traditional American pastimes such as attending baseball games and eating hot dogs were staples of my childhood. However, as I've accumulated more life experience, I've come to acquire a taste for cultures dissimilar to my own. I'm a fanatic for spicy, flavorful foods and have become eager to understand social traditions that seem foreign to me. Although many people assume at first glance that I am accustomed to Korean culture and am fluent in the language, the comical truth is that I've never even had Korean barbeque. Unlike most of my friends and peers, I have also never met my birth mother. Having never experienced these traditions seemed normal to me until I noticed the pattern of assumptions that my outwardly Asian appearance dictated.”

‍ Why this is a strong start : She immediately highlights the conflicts she’s experienced between her racial and ethnic background and her cultural upbringing. This provides a strong base for the story she’s about to tell and keeps it straight to the point, as you know right off the bat what she’ll be talking about.

While this is only one of many great ways to start your statement, remember that your goal is to captivate your reader’s interest so they keep reading. Don’t meander too much here, and make every sentence count!

Character Development and Growth

As she continues to write, Baker discusses how she has grown in relation to a fragmented identity–one based on her appearance and the other based on her cultural upbringing. 

“As I've grown older, I have encountered more and more of a racial and cultural disconnect in my daily life. When I was a child, the fact that I had different-shaped eyes and a richer skin tone than most other children in my class was never questioned, nor was the fact that I didn't resemble my parents. Now, as an adult, I've become accustomed to looks of shock and interest when I share my life story—as if I were some type of exotic specimen. “

Why this body paragraph is successful : Discussing how your experiences have evolved and impacted you over time can provide more insight into your story. This will ultimately make a stronger essay as it provides a clear trajectory that seamlessly leads your reader from one point to the next.

A Diverse Perspective

The meat of your statement should be providing information on formative moments throughout your experience. Baker talks about going to a camp for Korean children adopted into Caucasian families in hopes of getting in touch with their Korean roots. 

“...attending camp for one week per year for eight years of my childhood was not exactly organic cultural immersion, which created a skewed view of my cultural heritage. My view of my cultural heritage. My encounters with others puts into light a new perspective for how quickly society and individuals jump to conclusions about people that they have never met. Although I have never felt discriminated against, it is eye opening to relate how I feel in culturally relevant situations to how others feel when they are treated differently for their skin color, their customs, and their lifestyles. This is a predominant issue in current society that many people will never have the opportunity to truly experience.”

Why this body paragraph is successful : These experiences contributed greatly to her perspective on culture and identity and provided some commentary on how we are often exposed to different cultures. When writing your law school diversity statement, it is essential that you consider how your story presents a diverse point of view. Once you’ve figured that out, use it as a focal point to drive your statement home.

Coming from a Place of Empowerment

Baker ends her statement with this:

‍ “I have been given a rare opportunity that every single day I am thankful for. An opportunity that many people will never have the chance to experience. I have the opportunity to see society from many different perspectives, a viewpoint I am constantly building on as I continue to blossom. I will continue developing my perspective and use it in a positive way to contribute to society through its justice system. Through my interest in criminal defense, I believe that I can help our country appreciate the benefits of a diverse culture, which will ultimately help non-predominant citizenry pursue their dreams. As a minority person with an Americanized upbringing, I hope to bridge the gap between our country's treatment of minorities in the justice system and the desire to create a society where minority citizens are encouraged to pursue their dreams—just as I am pursuing mine. We all have a right to be seen as individuals and not boxed into the preconceived notions of society. I will do all that I can to uphold this right for everyone.” 

Why this ending was successful: She speaks about her experience from a place of empowerment by stating how it has shaped her to be the person she is and how these interactions with her identity have driven her to pursue a career in law. 

While these experiences can be easily seen as negative ones, she reframes her own experiences as those of learning and growth. 

As you write your diversity statement, think about how you can approach your experiences from the vantage point of growth. Ask yourself the following questions: 

• How has this experience shaped me to be the person I am now?
• How have I grown and learned from my experiences?
• How have they impacted what I choose to do with my life?

These are some great questions that will ultimately highlight your strength, resilience, and character as you write your law school diversity statement.

By studying law school diversity statement examples, you can develop a stronger understanding of how to effectively communicate your strengths, resilience, and character, enhancing your own diversity statement.

How Important is a Diversity Statement for Law School?

Much like your personal statement, your diversity statement gives the admissions committee a chance to get to know you and the experiences that shape you. Though it isn’t the be-all and end-all of your application, an excellent diversity statement can definitely help you stand out.

On the other hand, it’s also important to understand that a weak diversity statement can compromise the impact of your overall application. So, think about how this might affect your application.

Knowing When to Write a Diversity Statement

Diversity within any student body strengthens the community and expands the breadth of ideas and perspectives within it. As an aspiring law school student, writing a diversity statement allows you to talk about your life experiences. Doing this gives the admissions committee an opportunity to get to know what makes you you. 

By the time you get to writing your diversity statement, you probably would have looked over your entire law school application about a million times. Going over parts of your application, like your personal statement , for example, should give you an idea of whether or not you should consider writing a diversity statement. 

Before you start writing your statement, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Have I covered everything that is essential to cover in my personal statement?
• Am I trying too hard to find something to write about?

If you answered yes to both of those questions, it probably means that writing a diversity statement for your law school application may not be necessary. 

If you feel that your personal statement covers your background adequately, and you’re finding writing an additional diversity statement isn’t coming naturally to you, you’re probably better off skipping this part of the application. 

Generally speaking, the key to writing a diversity statement for your law school application is genuinely having something to write about. 

In the same right, it is crucial to consider what you have to offer in terms of diversifying the school community. Seriously think about your background and the experiences you have faced and how they enable you to contribute diverse perspectives and ideas to the community.

How to Write a Law School Diversity Statement

Now that we’ve covered whether or not writing a diversity statement is best for your application, we’ll go over a few tips on how to write a stellar diversity statement. 

Tip 1: Do Your Research

As with any supplemental essay or statement, you’ll want to do research on what is required to write a successful one. While this article will leave you with less guesswork on how to approach your diversity statement, it’s essential that you know what each school’s requirements are to write a successful statement. 

This includes how each law school defines diversity and what they expect in terms of statement length and formatting. For instance, Harvard and Yale law diversity statement prompts are vague, stating that you write about how you are able to contribute to their community based on your breadth of experience. 

In contrast, some law schools like Duke provide a more detailed set of sample topics to guide your writing, which include the following:

• Economic disadvantage
• Personal adversity or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity)
• Experiences as a first-generation college student
• Significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service)
• Experience as an immigrant or refugee
• Graduate study or impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service)

While some schools may consider diversity socio-cultural (things like race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual identity), others may also consider factors like age, career shifts, and socio-economic status, so make sure you know what each school expects.

Tip 2: Find a Good Topic

Once you have reviewed the prompts and guidelines for each diversity statement, it’s time to find a topic. You’ll want to write about something memorable and impactful. All law schools look for a common factor: your ability to contribute diverse perspectives to the school community. 

With this said, use your background and life experiences to guide your writing. Although these things can often feel vulnerable and challenging to write about, whatever topic you choose should come naturally to you–but more on this later!

Tip 3: Approach Your Experience from a Place of Empowerment 

Many experiences highlighting diversity often go hand in hand with some hardship, challenge, or adversity. Though it might not be your intention, these statements can sometimes come across as a victim’s narrative. As you write your diversity statement, make sure you write from a place of empowerment instead of victimhood. 

Regardless of what experience you choose to write about, center your statement around how you were able to persevere against all odds. Talk about what you learned and how that impacted and expanded your perspectives. 

Tip 4: Know How to Start and End Your Statement

An essential aspect of any essay or statement is having a strong beginning and end. Your diversity statement should catch your reader’s attention, keeping them interested up until the very end. 

Once you’ve chosen your topic, there are many ways that you can go about starting a strong essay and finishing it off with a bang. To do this effectively, you’ll want to draft a strong trajectory for your diversity statement. See your statement as your hero’s journey, and tell your story.

FAQs: Diversity Statement for Law School

After going over what makes a great diversity statement, you might still have some questions about writing a diversity statement for your application. Below, we will cover some frequently asked questions that might clarify any concerns you might still have. 

1. Should You Write a Law School Diversity Statement?

You should only write a diversity statement if you have something thoughtful to say. Remember that, at times, what you say in your personal statement may overlap with your diversity statement–if this is the case, you may want to skip it.  

2. How Long Should a Diversity Statement Be for Law School?

Typically, your diversity statement will be no more than 1-2 pages long, but remember to do research on each school’s requirements. 

3. What Can I Write a Diversity Statement About?

Generally, you’ll be asked to write about how your diverse experiences have shaped your perspective. While each school might provide a different prompt, you’ll want to write about experiences or parts of your life that are less conventional. 

If you’re an aspiring law school student who might be switching career paths or are returning after a long hiatus, you might consider writing about what has led you to law. 

Similarly, you can also write about your experiences as a socio-economically or culturally diverse student if that applies to you. There are a plethora of topics to consider–make sure you pick one that is true to you.

4. What Not To Write In A Diversity Statement For Law School?

There are many elements you should avoid in diversity statements (and personal statements) , including rehashing stories you’ve already shared in your application, using quotes, being too ambiguous, and focusing your story on others rather than on your own experiences.

Final Thoughts

Figuring out whether or not to write a law school diversity statement can be tricky, and writing one can be even more challenging. Remember that this statement is a great opportunity for you to introduce yourself and share your background with the admissions team. 

Make sure that your statement highlights what you have to bring to your school community. Best of luck!

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How to Write a Diversity Statement for Law School

8 tips for writing a better diversity statement for your law school application..

Your law school application likely requires several written documents in addition to the usual suspects, like transcripts and test scores. This entire package gives admissions officers a comprehensive, yet personalized picture of your aptitude for advanced study and fit for their specific program. And, more and more often, admissions offices are asking that a diversity statement be included in that picture.

What is a Diversity Statement?

Generally speaking, a diversity statement details [1] your experience with diversity, personally and professionally, and [2] your approach to advancing equity and inclusion within the community and your workplace. At Stetson Law, for example, our school’s statement includes our definition of what diversity means to us: “an acknowledgment of differences between groups of people and perhaps an invitation for such groups to join a community, inclusion involves embracing those differences by valuing and supporting the backgrounds and experiences of every individual and group in a way that will help create a sense of belonging and unity.” Because we value the perspectives from the communities represented by our student body, faculty and staff, we also include their voices in our statement. Similarly, the American Bar Association places great emphasis on diversity and inclusion , and has created its own mission statement outlining what diversity means within the justice system and for practicing lawyer: “promoting collaboration, coordination, and communication to … eliminate bias and enhance diversity and inclusion throughout the Association, legal profession, and justice system.” Of course, these are statements written by a group to represent institutions. They can be helpful in getting you closer to your own definition of what diversity means to you, but their aims are ultimately a bit different from a diversity statement you write for law school. That’s why we’ve developed this comprehensive guide to help you get started with yours.

Should I Write a Diversity Statement for Law School?

Some schools require a diversity statement as part of their application process, but others keep it optional. If you do get a choice in the matter, you’re left facing the question: should I write one? Is there any benefit, or risk, to your application if you choose to forego or submit a diversity statement? Here are a few things to weigh as you make a decision.

• 1. Your diversity statement may be able to tell part of your story that the rest of your application can’t.

If you have expertise in working across different communities, including those that are historically underserved by the justice system, you’ll probably want to write a diversity statement. You’ll be able to use the extra space provided by a diversity statement to convey that depth of experience and to outline your specific skills in more detail.

Or maybe you’ve encountered obstacles, experienced injustice yourself, in ways that shape your desire to pursue legal studies and your approach to law. A diversity statement could be an opportunity for you to point out related interests or specializations, like Social Justice Advocacy, or to speak to the unique skills you’ve developed that make you a stronger lawyer-in-training. If there’s more to your story, a diversity statement is a great place to tell it. Just make sure that you explain the connection between these experiences and your interest in studying law at that school.

• 2. The type of law you plan to study, or where you wish to practice, may ask that you have diversity training and experience connecting with people across different communities.

For example, maybe you state in your application that your dream is to work as a public defender or a district attorney. Given that such roles require you to represent people from different backgrounds and communities, it’s a good idea to write a diversity statement. In your statement, you could point to specific resources and courses of study offered by that law program, which you plan to pursue throughout your studies to prepare you for your chosen career. Or perhaps you’re interested in a specialized field, like LGBTQ+ policy or environmental law . Identifying a preferred area of focus in your overall application can be a great way to show admissions committees that you’re aware of the programs they offer (you’ve done your research!) and that you’re already thinking long-term about a legal career. But you may also want to write a diversity statement that expands on those investments. You could include volunteer or advocacy work you’ve done for environmental causes, for instance, or whatever area of interest you’ve chosen. You could identify landmark cases that you’d want to study and revisit in your own career, or existing policies you’d want to examine closely throughout your studies. And if a prospective law school offers specific concentration, a diversity statement could help you make your case for why you should study at that particular school. Jen Rex, 2L at Stetson, did precisely that. "When I was looking into law schools, I really wanted to find a school that had a student organization for LGBTQ+ students and offered a welcoming environment,” Jen said. “ I was happy to find Stetson's Lambda Legal Society...The organization continues to grow and find ways to get involved and I am excited to be a part of it. I also appreciate that I can see myself represented in the faculty by multiple professors who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and a host of others who are allies to the community. "

1. You may not have enough time in your busy schedule to create another quality piece of writing for your application.

If the diversity statement is optional, you may choose not to write one because you’re pressed on time. The written documents for law school applications can take hours to polish, and ideally include a few rounds of revision. If you’re fortunate enough to get your written pieces in front of word-sharp colleagues, professors or practicing lawyers, all the better. But maybe you’re working full time, have an overbooked family life, or have been out of school for a few years and no longer have a campus-size roster of resources to workshop your writing samples. In this case, you may decide that writing a diversity statement isn’t the right choice for you at this time. It’s important to showcase your best work to admissions committees, and sometimes your best work includes wise restraint.

• 2. You may not have enough experience, knowledge, or training in diversity and equity issues to write effectively on the subject.

It’s vital that lawyers and legal professionals have diversity training. Hopefully your law school has built diversity education and resources into its program. That said, maybe at the time of your application you don’t have that much knowledge or experience about the issues. In that case, it’s probably a good idea to hold off on writing a diversity statement. Instead, you could spend that time researching recent law articles on diversity topics or request a syllabus reading list from your chosen law school. That way you can get a head start on the work of diversity education, even if you’re not prepared to write an effective statement. These are just a few of the pros and cons of writing a statement. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if a diversity statement can advance your candidacy, or if your application is strong enough without one.

How Do I Write a Diversity Statement?

If you’re here, you’ve decided that writing a diversity statement is the right option for your law school application. Now you’re faced with the bigger challenge: outlining, drafting, and revising your statement. Here are some useful guidelines to get you started.

Structure Tips

• 1. Identify your statement’s purpose.

Approach your diversity statement with a clear purpose in mind. Are you writing it because of a specific experience that has shaped your approach or inspired your interest in a specific field? Are you invested in pursuing a particular type of legal practice or course of study at that law school? Whatever the reason, it’s best to be upfront about it early in your diversity statement. Think of it as your opening statement, pun intended.

• 2. Define your approach to diversity, then explain what shaped that approach in the narrative that follows.

“Diversity” is a big word. And while diversity in thought and practice centers on inclusivity, it’s crucial that you define your own approach to that practice. This definition is also helpful from a structural vantage point: once you outline your approach to diversity, you can make sure the rest of the narrative that follows supports that definition. For writing in general, it’s best practice to define the terms you’re using as a framework. This way, you’ve gotten your readers on the same page as you, and the rest of your writing will be clearer and cohesive. All the makings of great legal writing!

• 3. Use that narrative structure to connect your personal experience with your professional training and education.

Your diversity statement might be very personal to you, and include very personal details. Or your diversity statement may center on education and professional training. Either is a great reason to write a diversity statement. But no matter what path your narrative takes, all roads lead back to your pursuit of legal studies - and your pursuit of legal studies at that law school, in particular. Many applicants get caught up in the details of their own narrative and forget their audience is an admissions committee. Law schools are invested in your stories, but they also need to know how they fit into your story and, in turn, how you fit into theirs. Make your case clear throughout your narrative. For example, you could cite specific courses you want to take that would help you advance skills you’ve already started. Or you could point out a legal society you’d like to join at the school that brings communities together around advocacy work that matters most to you. You could research that society’s recent and upcoming events, even its publications or press releases, to incorporate specific ways you’d want to get involved and do your part. Personal and professional narratives work best when they forge a connection with an audience. So don’t forget to center that connection as you tell your story.

• 4. Before you conclude, make sure you’ve outlined how your law school pursuits align with your diversity goals for growth and engagement.

Building off of the previous tip, make sure that you end with a clear picture of how law school will help you advance your diversity goals. This is a great tip to revisit during the editing stage of your writing process. If, by the end of your read-through, it’s not clear (1) what your diversity goals are, and (2) how this law school will help you achieve them, you know you need to go back and edit your statement. The point to keep in mind here? Admissions committees need to leave your application with a firm grasp of how this school is right for you, and how you are right for them.

• 1. Tell a story, but avoid cliches.

“Throughout time,” “the human condition,” “society as a whole.” The phrases your writing teacher warned you about? They all apply here. A diversity statement can’t possibly take us through a history of time, or define what we mean by something as lofty as “the human condition.” Your statement is short, so you need to take advantage of the space by telling your story, in your terms, as specifically as possible. And, given that your application is designed to make you stand out as a prospective student, it’s best to avoid any phrases that cast you back into the crowd.

• 2. This is about you, so don’t be general.

Similar to the previous tip, it’s important to offer concrete details wherever possible. When you make general or generalizing claims in a personal diversity statement, you’re losing valuable real estate. Give the admissions committee a specific glimpse into how you think, how you learn, how you write, how you approach justice and communities.

• 3. Eliminate filler words or unnecessary padding.

Legal writing should be clear and to the point. As a prospective student, you should try to model that in your own application materials. That doesn’t mean eliminating turns of phrase or thick descriptions that give readers insight into your personality. It does mean cutting “filler” words from your prose. If you can rewrite a sentence the same way, but shorter? Do it! This is great practice for legal writing, but it’s also respectful of your readers. Admissions committees read a lot of applications, so great editing is a true kindness.

• 4. Be aware of your audience: be thoughtful in your word choice.

Speaking of admissions committees… It’s important to remember that you’re writing for them. Even if your diversity statement is quite personal, your goal is to communicate your readiness to study law to a committee of experts. This means you need to be thoughtful in your word choice and focus. Lawyer jokes? Probably not a great idea. And, given that you’re writing a diversity statement, insensitive word choice is particularly glaring. Be thoughtful and deliberate in how you write your statement.

How Long Should a Diversity Statement Be?

Before you take advice from anything you read online, contact your law school admissions department first. They may have specific guidelines on how long your statement should be. That said, if no parameters exist, you could safely aim for one to two pages, single spaced, with 12 point font. That’s about 500 - 800 words.

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As you research prospective law schools, consider Stetson Law. We offer a range of courses, programs and resources dedicated to building diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal community. We’re also here to answer any questions you may have about the program and admissions, including diversity statement guidelines! Contact us any time. Interested in J.D. from Stetson Law? Apply now .

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A Guide to the Law School Diversity Statement

Padya Paramita

September 30, 2019

As you finalize your JD school list and look through the requirements, you might notice that many institutions provide you with the opportunity to add an optional diversity statement. The law school diversity statement is an essay that asks you to elaborate on an aspect of your identity, background, or extracurriculars that will bring a unique perspective to your future classroom. 

Though law school diversity statement prompts vary from school to school, they essentially ask the same question: what distinguishes you from other applicants? While your racial or ethnic identity might be the first criteria to jump out, you can also discuss an impactful activity, leadership opportunity, or work experience that provides the school with more context about why you’re an exceptional candidate. To help you navigate this component, I have outlined what the diversity statement is, prompts for top schools, what to include in the essay, and how the law school diversity statement plays a role in your admissions decision.

What is the Law School Diversity Statement?

As the name suggests, the law school diversity statement allows you to expand on a quality which makes you different from other applicants. Unless otherwise stated, the statement is not just for racial or ethnic minorities. Although racial and ethnic identities are a significant component of diversity, the term is far more expansive. If you aren’t racially diverse, it’s not something you can change. Instead of worrying about that, focus on how you can frame other parts of your profile as a meaningful focal point.

You should use the diversity statement as an opportunity to tell the admissions committee something unique about yourself, what makes you tick, or experiences that have shaped your worldview. This could include your background as well as any unique extracurricular activities, exceptional experiences, and honors and awards that make you stand out from the rest of the pack. Successful examples include family circumstances such as adoption, or unusual hobbies and accomplishments such as competitive weightlifting.

Diversity Statement Prompts for Top Law Schools

Not all JD schools ask for a diversity statement . For the majority of schools that do, the essay is optional. Let’s take a look at which schools in the top 20 allow you to add a diversity statement, and how the prompts are framed.

As you can tell from the table, the majority of top schools do have an option for you to add a law school diversity statement . The component might be optional or specific to certain underrepresented groups. On the flip side, many schools explicitly mention other kinds of diversity (employment, academic background, etc) in the prompt. If the school refers to diversity more broadly, you should answer the question even if you fear you aren’t diverse! It’s expected at schools that phrase it like that where most candidates in the pool will submit a response. So you need to submit an essay in order to distinguish yourself!

Even though most schools haven’t assigned a word limit, you should take clues from the ones that do such as UT Austin and USC, and make sure your essay doesn’t go beyond one to two pages double-spaced. 500 words is a good target to keep in mind when considering the length of the piece. Make sure you carefully review all of the instructions before deciding whether its inclusion would boost your application or not. 

What to Include in Your Law School Diversity Statement

A strong law school diversity statement requires you to be extremely introspective. The end goal is not to say “I am a perfect fit for law school.” The end goal of the diversity statement is to leave your reader with a better understanding of how your unique set of experiences has shaped your worldview. You shouldn’t mention adversity if what you’ve faced isn’t as challenging as what others might bring to the table. Think about how your topic will be read alongside your peers! 

You could write about how your racial or ethnic identity has shaped how you interact with the world around you. But it could just as easily be your religious experience, family makeup, significant age difference from the median law student, or upbringing in a rural community. Alternatively, it could simply be your love for art, or music, or – fill in another creative endeavor – and the confidence or solace you have found in it. Your options are abundant.

That being said, your diversity statement shouldn’t cover a topic that has already been described elsewhere in your application, especially in your personal statement . So another way of brainstorming would be to think of all the things you love that would tell an admissions committee who you are as a person, that you wanted to put into your personal statement, but couldn’t. 

Some of the examples Duke Law Schoo l provides to inspire applicants in search of topics are:

• An experience of prejudice, bias 
• Economic disadvantage
• Personal adversity or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity)
• Experience as a first-generation college student
• Significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service)
• Experience as an immigrant or refugee; graduate study
• Impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service).

Once you’ve pinpointed the part of your identity you wish to highlight, think about how to frame it in an interesting manner. Include anecdotes that depict how this background has affected your life and played a role in shaping your perspective. If the prompt asks any specific questions, make sure you answer them. A strongly written diversity statement could be the final positive sign the reader needs to swing the admissions decision in your favor.

Role of the Law School Diversity Statement in the Admissions Process

This added component gives you another opportunity to show that you’d be a strong asset to their institution. But if you answer the diversity prompt in a poor way, admissions officers could feel like you have nothing interesting to bring to the table. Think critically about what you would write.

JD programs want a class that is diverse, where every student adds something new to the classroom. Just like your personal statement, admissions officers use the diversity statement to determine whether your background makes you a unique addition to the class and school. They don’t accept students from one particular major or students who have all participated in one type of activity. In fact, it’s the opposite. Law schools do all they can to make sure their classes aren’t full of the same type of students. 

This essay is a chance for admissions officers to know who you are beyond the personal statement and the experiences mentioned in your resumé. When you are trying to distinguish yourself from thousands of applicants, it never hurts to include an additional layer to your application that provides admissions officers with more context on your background and interests. 

L aw school diversity statement essays helps institutions determine how diverse, in terms of race, gender, sexuality, class, and professional and extracurricular background an incoming class will be. Your essay should highlight an aspect of you that can help admissions officers understand your context better, and expand on a part of you that they wouldn’t guess easily. A well-written law school diversity statement might just be the component that sways the decision your way. So if you think that answering the diversity prompt can help make you memorable in the admissions officers’ eye, you should include one without a doubt.

General FAQ

What is the law school diversity statement.

As the name suggests, the law school diversity statement allows you to expand on a quality which makes you different from other applicants. Unless otherwise stated, the statement is not just for racial or ethnic minorities. Although racial and ethnic identities are a significant component of diversity, the term is far more expansive.

Is the diversity statement a required part of the application?

For the majority of schools, the diversity statement is optional. However, it is in your best interest to take advantage of this space and show admissions officers your unique qualities.

Do all schools offer a diversity statement?

No, some schools, such as Yale, the University of Michigan, and Washington University in St. Louis, do not have diversity statements as part of their applications.

What can I write about in my diversity statement?

Diversity statement topics could include: an experience with prejudice or bias, economic disadvantage, impressive leadership experience, significant employment history, personal adversity or other social hardships.

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6 Successful Law School Diversity Statement Examples

Many people have asked me to share successful law school diversity statement examples. Here are a few I am especially proud of.

1) This adversity-focused diversity statement contributed to the applicant’s admission at a T20 school with a large scholarship, despite a sub-2.8 GPA.

I grew up in Ohio with my parents and two younger brothers. Though I lived with my parents, I was often left caring for my brothers, as my father was frequently unfit and my mother was out working well over sixty hours a week to keep a roof over our heads. I made sure my brothers went to school, had food to eat, did their homework, showered, brushed their teeth, and were cared for when they got sick. That was the easy part.

I also had to shield them from our father’s addiction. Since I was a toddler, he has been an addict. He has been to rehab eight times, prison three times, and threatened suicide at least six times. And he never hid his problems from my brothers and me. When I was six, I had to wrestle away his gun as he waved it around during a drunken stupor. When I was twelve, I had to discard bags of pills and needles he left out on the kitchen table one night. If I hadn’t woken up early the following morning, my brothers likely would have got to them. On more occasions than I can remember, I hid and spilled out his alcohol. Despite it all, each time he went to rehab I told myself that he would get better. He never did.

A few weeks into my senior year of high school, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It progressed rather quickly and, by the time I started college, he was no longer able to perform routine self-care. With no relatives willing to have anything to do with him, I was left as his sole caregiver. It remained this way for my stay at [university 1] and [university 2]. As I pursued my first bachelor’s degree, I cared for both my father and brothers.

For years, I let my family struggles prevent me from reaching my potential. I worked for the moment, trying to keep things together and make sure that each day ended with my brothers safe and my father not out on the street. It wasn’t until my senior year at [university 2] that I realized my experiences were not normal and that I was letting them hold me back. While they no longer do, I still use them as a lens to view the world, which enables me to better understand and help those in difficult circumstances. I will continue to do so as I pursue a legal career.

2) This is an outside-the-box diversity statement I like to call, “Animal House.” It contributed to the applicant’s admission at 8 of the T14 schools.

A camel seeking retirement from a lifetime of pulling carts. A duck left locked in an abandoned house. A starving group of emus set free in the wild by their owners. A gentle draft horse abused by his handler in preparation for rodeo work. Goats, sheep, parrots, alpacas, and miniature brahmin cows, all relinquished by overeager owners unprepared for the routines of feeding and care. With each story, the size of our family and rescue operation grew.

We took in our first rescue when I was four, and by the time I was seven, I was one of about sixty “children.” Like any siblings, we sometimes squabbled. In the living room, I competed with a dozen rescue dogs for space on the couch. In the kitchen, I wrestled with our potbellied pig, Moo, over cereal in the pantry. I quickly learned the difficulty of pulling an indulging pig from his food. But it wasn’t all fighting; we also loved each other. My first responsibility was caring for a pair of emu chicks that nested in my bathtub. Their hungry chirps served as my alarm for school. During dinner, I ate with one hand while the other held a bottle for our orphaned baby llama.

As I grew older, my role shifted from sibling to parent. Starting in fourth grade, I spent weekends trimming goat hooves, shearing alpacas, and tossing hay to our motley herd. Groggy school mornings involved carrying four happily chattering parrots to their outdoor aviary. During the summer, I mixed peacock feed and cleaned stalls before breakfast, occasionally finding myself holding down a kicking donkey for his midday shots.

The work was the easy part. Much harder was establishing friendships with creatures taught to distrust humans. When I was thirteen, I remember always crouching to approach Napoleon, our miniature horse, who would have bolted otherwise. It would be months before I could stand in front of him. When I was sixteen, I learned that reared ears on a camel is a sign of comfort, while the same on a llama precedes spitting. It wasn’t an easy lesson, and I got pretty wet while learning it. Just last year, I spent several hours a day over twelve weeks soothing a petrified Great Pyrenees. She eventually stopped peeing herself at the sight of a human and was adopted to a good home.

Decades on the ranch have taught me to work with compassion and accept long stretches with little progress. I have learned that what works for one creature may be the complete opposite for another, each idiosyncrasy revealed over time. My siblings instilled in me the virtues of adaptability and patience, and those are the lessons I carry closest—knowing how to sit, listen, and understand others, regardless of species.

3) This diversity statement tells the story of an applicant’s difficulty growing up with conflicting ethnicities. It contributed to their admission at 8 of the T14 schools.

I sat down at a dinner table covered in all sorts of Turkish and Armenian meats, fish, and cheese. It was like this every Sunday. My family got together, talked, laughed, and shared stories about our week, code-switching between languages as easily as we did ethnic dishes. After we finished eating, my grandma put the leftover enginar , a traditional Turkish dish made of artichoke hearts, into my lunch box for school.

I obviously couldn’t bring enginar to my Armenian school, so I woke up early the next day to make a PB&J. If I had brought the enginar , my peers would have tauntingly called me a Turk and claimed I wasn’t a real Armenian. As a result of the Turkish genocide of Armenians during World War I, there is enmity between the two countries. My family is Armenian but lived in Turkey for many years before moving to the U.S. in the 80s.

In my first few years in Armenian school, I became a cultural chameleon. I couldn’t show my Turkish self without risking ridicule, so I embraced my Armenian side and distanced myself from anything Turkish. I studied pages of Armenian words I had only known in Turkish, created playlists mixing System of a Down with Armenian church hymns, and discussed the country’s history with peers at lunch. At home, I blurred boundaries between my two cultures. I filled my dinner plate with Turkish and Armenian food, affixed Turkish prefixes on Armenian nouns, and watched episodes of Turkish dramas with my Armenian-speaking grandparents.

As time passed, while I flourished in school, I felt out of place at home. I couldn’t balance the two cultures and elected to just cut out my Turkish half. This led to a strain on my family relationships. I was quiet when anything Turkish came up, in a way embracing my peers’ negative outlook. It wasn’t until I attended an event about a slain Turkish-Armenian journalist that things clicked. Learning how Hrant Dink dedicated his life to seeking positive change in Turkish-Armenian relations made me realize I didn’t need to be a cultural chameleon. What defined Dink wasn’t his culture or ethnicity but his work.

With this in mind, I no longer felt conflicted by my mixed culture. I am defined by my actions, values, and goals, not my countries of origin. While I stayed sensitive to my peers, I focused more on cultivating my unique sense of self and less on fitting everyone else’s idea of who I should be. As a law student and attorney, I will keep this lesson at the forefront of my mind. Ultimately, it is my work and impact on the world and those around me that is most important. And I will do everything in my power to make a mark worth remembering.

4) This diversity statement focuses on the applicant’s experience growing up as a third-culture child.

After an absence of almost three years, I’m back in Shanghai and meeting an old friend for dinner. She asks if I miss being in America. Without hesitation, I say no, explaining that in many ways I feel more at home in China, since this is where I spent most of my childhood. Plus, the food is better, I joke. “That’s surprising,” she says, “because you’re American, not Chinese.”

My heart sinks. In America, I am seen first and foremost as Asian. In China, I’m a foreigner. In reality, both are right. I’m half Chinese and half American. Being a “halfie” means my features are a kind of a Rorschach test for the viewer, morphing according to who sees me. Although my friend may feel certain I am American, my mind wanders through memories that would challenge her conviction—such as being teased as the only Asian girl in my third-grade ESL class or being told to “go back to China” during the height of the Covid-19 crisis. In the eyes of many, I am Chinese.

My father was an American diplomat to China and my mother was a stage and film actress from Shanghai. Every one to three years, we moved between Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C. By the time I started high school, I had already attended seven schools in three countries and mastered code-switching between Mandarin and English.

Moving so often taught me to leave certain assumptions behind and to see “normal” in a new light. Ordinary things like classroom etiquette became sources of novelty and revelation. In Washington, D.C., I was encouraged to ask questions. But in Beijing, my questions were reprimanded as undermining the teacher’s authority. In Hong Kong, I took exams that rewarded my ability to memorize long passages of text. In New York, pure reproduction was not enough; I also had to critically analyze what I learned. These contrasts were disorienting at times, but I embraced them with an open mind, adapting to the environment I was in.

While I used to feel lost among the many places I have lived, I now see my bicultural upbringing as a gift. It taught me how to navigate ambiguity and adapt quickly in unfamiliar places. It helped me internalize the practice of leading with empathy, not judgment. And while it has taken me time, I no longer define myself in fractions, as a “halfie,” but as the sum of whole parts: Chinese and American. As I step into the classroom, I look forward to sharing the multiplicity of values and perspectives I have been exposed to. They have shaped who I am today and will no doubt shape my journey in law.

5) This is another example of an outside-the-box diversity statement. “The Tinkerer” contributed to the applicant’s admission to a T6 law school with a sub-3.2 GPA.

Growing up, I was a tinkerer. I began as my father’s assistant for home construction projects—building benches, installing drywall, wiring audio systems—before going off on my own. As I fiddled, my father’s favorite maxim replayed in my head: “measure twice and cut once.” Except I usually cut several times. Any time I got my hands on a new device, I grabbed my toolset and tested how much I could take it apart before I had to put it back together.

When I saw how simple the inside of my first electric guitar was, I took out its shoddy pickups and soldered in noiseless ones. I did the same with the tone and volume potentiometers, and it was soon a pattern for me. Any time I got something new, I upgraded it. I stopped being interested in full devices, rather seeking out parts. This approach allowed me to get an electric guitar with a sound as smooth as a Santana solo. I saved up money from odd jobs for a bridge, tuners, bone nut, strings, and pickups. For pennies on the dollar, I assembled a new guitar. To my friends, it was high-end; to me, it was a Frankenstein masterpiece.

I took a similar approach with my computer when it could no longer keep up with my music production needs. In my basement were old desktops covered in dust, so I stripped them for their best parts to build a “new” one. As my music became more complex, however, my computer was no longer able to handle my processing needs, so I did the same thing again. I used what remained of my savings to buy parts from Newegg and built a faster computer from scratch. That did the trick for a couple of years, but over the last half-decade, I have tinkered with it at every opportunity, swapping out and upgrading parts. The computer almost looks like a taped-together kid’s project at this point, but you would never know once it’s turned on.

As I have matured, my love for disassembling gadgets and rebuilding a stronger version has carried into my intellectual pursuits. Examining the components and logical structure of an argument enlivens me, and I am not averse to playing devil’s advocate. Beyond the theoretical, my love for incorporating technology into my pursuits surfaces in everything I do, whether it’s tackling web design for a research project or fixing people’s laptops on weekends. As a law student, I look forward to using my technical skills to provide insight on legal issues where technology plays a role. Likewise, I know that my experiences will enable me to approach issues from an unconventional angle and contribute a nuanced voice inside and outside the classroom.

6) This diversity statement shows how the applicant connects with their culture through cooking. It contributed to their admission at a T6 law school with a sub-3.0 GPA.

As soon as I enter the Iranian market, I go straight to the butcher and ask for the best Cornish hens that day. Then it’s over to the produce section in search of the freshest leafy vegetables. I grab some parsley and remember what grandma told me: more than two brown leaves is a bad sign, no dry stems, and when in doubt, use the smell test. I sift through a dozen wilted stocks, grab the brightest one, and throw it in the bag.

Cooking has always been my way of connecting with my culture and ancestry. Although I have never actually visited Iran, I have experienced it in the kitchen many times over. From a young age, my grandma taught me how to make Iranian dishes that were passed down to her and had me repeatedly practice the relevant techniques until I perfected them. In her eyes, patience and attention to detail were necessary prerequisites for success in any endeavor.

When I return from the market, I start preparing grandma’s signature dish: Zereshk Polo Morgh , chicken and saffron rice mixed with barberries and pistachios. Task one: long and fluffy rice. I start the brief boiling process, removing a grain every minute to check the consistency. A slightly mushy exterior is my cue to begin steaming. I slowly layer the rice into a giant pot and crank up the heat to ensure a crunchy bottom tahdig layer, the crown jewel of all Iranian rice-based dishes. When steam pours out of the lid, I reduce the flame and let it simmer. Task two: juicy Cornish hens. The dry rubbed hens go into the oven belly up, with a small base of broth to retain moisture. Set it to 385 degrees for 3 hours, then 5 minutes in the broiler for crispy skin. Task three: shiny barberries. I sauté them in saffron butter for roughly 2.5 minutes, immediately removing the pan from the heat when they start ballooning. A quick stir with brown sugar provides a sweet and glossy finish.

Preparing a feast each week has been a tradition in my family for generations. Although I was usually grandma’s assistant, today, I’m in the kitchen alone while she chats with my family in the living room. Aromas of Iran fill the air as I put on the finishing touches. I grab sixteen plates and begin filling them. A mound of barberry laden saffron rice, a sprinkle of slivered pistachios, and a serving of golden Cornish hen with parsley to garnish. I bring the plates out to my family and wait for grandma’s nod of approval. She nods. I smile widely.

My years in the kitchen have bonded me with a culture I deeply cherish. Through grandma’s teachings, I have learned to value patience and precision, knowing that prioritizing the little things will always make for a better, more complete product. I am confident these values will help me excel in law school and my career.

Interested in learning more? To set up a consultation, contact me at [email protected] or use my contact form: sharperstatements.com/contact .

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The Law School Applicant’s Guide to the Diversity Statement

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Most law schools offer applicants an opportunity to write a short diversity statement illustrating how their diverse background and upbringing has impacted their lives. Law schools understand that a diverse student body benefits students, faculty, and the school community at large. Though not required, this statement supplements the applicants' admissions materials with information about their life experiences.

A diversity statement can also help your application and offer further insight into why you are an ideal candidate for admission. Note, however, that you should not address any of the topics or ideas covered in the personal statement. It should be a complement, not a replacement for your personal essay. The two should work together to provide a complete portrait of you, the applicant, without being repetitive.

Key Takeaways: Diversity Statement for Law School Application

• The diversity statement is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee how your unique experiences as part of a diverse group can enrich the school's environment. It is different to your personal essay, which addresses why you want to go to law school and why you are qualified to attend.
• Be sure to consider the school's definition of diversity. It may include race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, among other characteristics.
• The diversity statement should be personal and reflective in tone.
• Your statement should be short, but memorable. Aim for about 500 words, but no more than 800.

Reasons to Write a Diversity Statement

When schools and colleges talk about diversity, they're discussing how people with different backgrounds and varied life experiences work together and learn from each other. Diversity expands students' outlook by allowing them to share their varied cultures and backgrounds. 

A strong diversity statement can illustrate how your particular background and life experience can bring a unique perspective to your law school class. But before you begin, make sure you understand how each law school would like you to address the topic of diversity. The term itself and its implications can have different meanings to different people, and law schools are no exception. Some schools may have a broad definition, while others ask that student statements reflect only racial, ethnic, gender, or sexual identity issues. New York University Law School , for example, broadly describes diversity as "all aspects of human differences (including, but not limited to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, etc.) that give an application a unique perspective different from the general application pool." Your statement should illustrate how your experience as a member of a diverse community impacted your upbringing and shaped your understanding of the world.

Make sure your statement addresses only the type of diversity the law school wants to address. For example, some schools, such as the University of California—Berkeley , ask students who have experienced disadvantages that adversely affected their performance but were successfully overcome to complete a socioeconomic questionnaire with their application materials. Other schools, such as Harvard , allow applicants to submit an additional statement to explain further how their background can contribute to the diversity of the law school community.

Reasons Not to Write a Diversity Statement

If your particular type of diversity doesn't speak to any of the characteristics outlined in the law school application, don't submit one. If you can't think of anything or if writing something feels in any way forced or artificial, don't provide one. Former Yale Law School Dean Asha Rangappa counseled students against submitting superfluous additional material: "While you can include as much information as you like, you also want to be judicious in the number and amount of additional essays/addenda that you provide. ...If you do choose to write a diversity essay, please, PLEASE try to be serious about it and make sure it is something that has truly shaped your experiences and perspectives. Do NOT write a diversity statement on how you are "a good listener" or something similar."

The diversity statement is entirely different from the personal statement. The personal statement explains why you want to go to law school and why you are qualified to attend. The diversity statement is an opportunity to tell the admission committee what you can uniquely bring to the law school experience.

American University suggests first thinking about how you define diversity and then asking how your experience played a part in your personal growth. Then, consider the ways you might embody that diversity and how you can contribute to the overall culture at the school and as part of the profession.

Length and Formatting

Most admissions departments prefer the diversity statement to be no longer than one double-spaced page with one-inch margins, so aim for about 500 but no more than 800 words. Look for sample diversity statements in your school's websites to gain further insight and to understand what topics and formatting each school requires.

Choosing a Subject

You must keep your statement short but memorable. You should address one topic only: you, your background, and your family. Everything else belongs in your personal statement. Use the limited space you have to tell a brief story about your diverse background. Many students do this by choosing one moment or incident that reveals something significant about who they are. For example, one student might write about her experiences performing traditional Chinese dance as a way to talk about both her Chinese heritage and the discipline she learned from dancing. Other examples of statements that have impressed admissions counselors—according to US News —include a former waitress who wrote movingly about the plight of the working poor from her co-workers' perspectives, and a house-painter's statement about learning about integrity, dedication, and optimism from his fellow painters. An HIV-positive applicant discussed the strength he developed through coping with his diagnosis.

Tips for Getting Started

Before beginning to write your statement, take some time to look back on your own life, and ask yourself what makes your experience different from most other applicants. Some examples might include: 

• Growing up in a particular religious tradition
• Living with a chronic illness or disability
• Serving in the military
• Being an older student or a single parent returning to school
• Issues related to sexual orientation
• Growing up in poverty, addiction, or abusive circumstances

When you have a moment or an experience in mind, stop to consider how it may have influenced you as well as your decision to attend law school. A good plan of attack is to draft an outline before you begin to write. Begin with a persuasive paragraph giving the reader a roadmap to the experiences you're going to describe. The next two or three paragraphs should take the reader into your world and your experience. Be as descriptive as you can. The last paragraph should conclude by saying why this experience has helped prepare you for law school. Read a few more examples of diversity statements to help you format your own. 

Voice and Tone

The diversity statement should be personal and reflective in tone . Write about your experiences sincerely and in your own voice. Even though you may be writing about difficult moments in your life, your overall tone should be positive. Avoid hints of self-pity, and don't suggest that your background can or should excuse any flaws in your application profile. In your own words, tell the story of a moment that taught you something positive about yourself.

A good diversity statement should illustrate how these experiences helped to give you insights that will make you an asset to the law school community. Even if you are writing about a painful or negative experience, try to end your statement on a positive note. Admissions officers want to read a story that illustrates how where you came from has influenced who you are why that path has led you to law school. Did it give you a depth of understanding your peers may not have? State how it inspired you to become an advocate for others in similar circumstances? Make sure this last paragraph ties where you came from to your desire to become an attorney. 

• "Diversity Statement Resource Guide." American University College of Law . https://www.wcl.american.edu/career/documents/diversity-statement-resource-guide/
• “Application Components.”  Yale Law School , https://law.yale.edu/admissions/jd-admissions/first-year-applicants/application.
• O'Connor, Shawn P. “3 Ways Personal, Diversity Statements Differ in Law School Applications.”  U.S. News & World Report , U.S. News & World Report, 17 Aug. 2015, https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/law-admissions-lowdown/2015/08/17/3-ways-personal-diversity-statements-differ-in-law-school-applications.
• O'Connor, Shawn P. “How to Discuss Diversity in Your Law School Applications.”  U.S. News & World Report , U.S. News & World Report, 10 June 2013, https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/law-admissions-lowdown/2013/06/10/how-to-discuss-diversity-in-your-law-school-applications.
• Shemmassian, Shirag. “How to Write an Amazing Law School Diversity Statement.”  Shemmassian Academic Consulting , Shemmassian Academic Consulting, 31 Jan. 2019, https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/diversity-statement-law-school.
• Spivey, Mike. “Examples of Successful Diversity Statements.”  Spivey Consulting , Spivey Consulting, 29 May 2018, https://blog.spiveyconsulting.com/examples-of-diversity-statements/.
• “The Law School Diversity Statement.”  The Law School Diversity Statement , http://cas.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/cas/prelaw/handbook/Law-School-Application-Process/the-law-school-diversity-statement.html.
• “What's a Diversity Statement and How Do You Make Yours Stand Out?”  Best Masters Degrees & Masters Programs 2020 , 18 Apr. 2018, https://www.lawstudies.com/article/whats-a-diversity-statement-and-how-do-you-make-yours-stand-out/.
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How to: Write a Winning Diversity Statement for Law School (No Matter Your Background)

Hello future lawyers, attorneys, and judges!

As you begin the admissions process for law school, you’ll likely notice that most institutions give applicants the option to submit what’s known as a “diversity statement” along with their statement of purpose (also referred to as the personal essay) and other application materials. If you’re serious about your application and want to give yourself the best shot at admission, then this diversity statement is not actually optional.

This diversity statement provides an applicant with the opportunity to discuss their unique background and identity, as well as what they will bring to the campus community.

If you’re staring at the blank page thinking to yourself, “Nothing about me is interesting enough to write about for this prompt!”, think again. The law schools you’re applying to value campus diversity, and diversifying means accepting students of all different races, ethnicities, gender identities, religions, and sexual orientations. It can also mean inviting students  to campus with unique upbringings and interests, or from a wide range of geographic locations.

Instead of asking yourself, “How am I diverse?” try asking, “What do I bring to the table? What makes me unique? What about my background or identity will allow me to introduce my fellow classmates to new perspectives or modes of thinking?” 

Because you’ll want to merge your application materials to form one cohesive application package, it’s in your best interests to consider what you’ve already written about or presented thus far on the page. If your personal statement focused on  your experience as a child of immigrant parents, you’ll likely want to center  your diversity statement on a different aspect of your background, upbringing, or identity.

Keep in mind that although admissions officers want to learn all about you, they are ultimately reading  your application to consider how you might succeed at their institution and flourish post-graduation. As such, it will best serve you to connect the salient aspects of your background or identity to both your present and future (hopefully, a future at one of the institutions you’re applying to)!

Maybe you were raised by same-sex parents, and are, in part, pursuing a career in law to protect the civil liberties that your community holds dear. Or perhaps as a kid, you were diagnosed with and treated for a rare metabolic disorder, and now you want to use the privileges you’ve been afforded to help those with fewer resources at their disposal gain access to the same quality of care.

Regardless of the direction you choose to take, always remember to edit, proofread, and get a fresh perspective on everything you write. With a sensitive topic such as identity, you’ll be wise to make sure  nothing gets lost in translation. A trusted friend, mentor, or expert Advisor will help you to focus your message and fine-tune your story.

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Written by Kat Stubing

Category: Postgrad , Uncategorized

Tags: diversity statement , law , law school , law school admissions , law school applications , optional statement , postgrad

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The Role of Diversity Statements in Law School Applications: Examples and Tips

Discover the importance of diversity statements in law school applications with our comprehensive guide.

Posted May 12, 2023

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In recent years, law schools across the country have placed an increased emphasis on building diverse student bodies. As a result, many law school applications now require a diversity statement in addition to more traditional elements such as transcripts, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. But what exactly are diversity statements, why do they matter, and how do you write an effective one? In this article, we’ll explore the role of diversity statements in law school applications and provide you with tips and examples to help you craft a compelling statement that sets you apart from other applicants.

Why Diversity Statements Matter in Law School Applications

Firstly, it’s important to understand why diversity statements have become such an integral part of the law school admissions process. While grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities provide a sense of a candidate’s academic and personal strengths, diversity statements expand upon the experiences and perspectives that have shaped a candidate's worldview. This can help admissions officers get a fuller picture of an applicant’s potential contributions to the law school community.

Furthermore, diversity statements also serve as a way for law schools to demonstrate their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment. By actively seeking out and admitting students from a variety of backgrounds, law schools can foster a community that values different perspectives and experiences. This can lead to more meaningful discussions and a richer educational experience for all students.

Understanding What Law Schools Look for in Diversity Statements

So, what exactly are law schools looking for in a diversity statement? Admissions officers are interested in hearing about your unique experiences and how they’ve shaped your perspective on the world. This means that you should avoid making generalizations about your background or identity and instead focus on specific anecdotes or examples that showcase your character and values. Use your diversity statement to help create a sense of who you are as a person and what you have to offer the law school community.

Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that diversity encompasses more than just race and ethnicity. Law schools are also interested in hearing about your experiences with different cultures, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities. Don't be afraid to share how these experiences have influenced your worldview and how you can contribute to a diverse and inclusive law school environment.

How to Write a Compelling Diversity Statement: Tips and Tricks

Writing a compelling diversity statement involves a combination of introspection and storytelling. Our tips and tricks will help you start strong:

• Be specific: Avoid making broad statements, and instead focus on specific examples that illustrate your personal story.
• Show, don’t tell: Don’t simply tell the admissions committee that you are a diverse candidate; use descriptive language to show them what sets you apart.
• Stay true to yourself: Be honest and authentic when sharing your experiences and perspective.
• Aim for concise, clear writing: Use clear and concise language that highlights your unique perspective; avoid using jargon, technical terms, or flowery language.

When writing your diversity statement, it's important to consider the audience you are writing for. Admissions committees are looking for candidates who will bring a unique perspective to their program, so make sure to highlight what makes you stand out.

Additionally, don't be afraid to address any challenges or obstacles you have faced related to diversity. Sharing how you have overcome adversity can demonstrate resilience and strength, and can make your statement even more compelling.

Crafting a Unique Narrative for Your Diversity Statement

One of your main goals when writing a diversity statement is to create a unique narrative that sets you apart from other applicants. To achieve this, try to answer the following questions:

• What experiences have I had that have shaped my perspective on the world?
• What challenges have I faced, and how have they helped me grow?
• What makes me unique, and how does this contribute to my ability to succeed in law school?

It is important to remember that your diversity statement should not only focus on your personal experiences, but also on how those experiences have influenced your desire to contribute to a diverse and inclusive community. You can also consider discussing any initiatives or projects you have been involved in that promote diversity and inclusion, or any future goals you have in this area. By highlighting your commitment to diversity and inclusion, you can demonstrate to law schools that you are not only a unique candidate, but also a valuable addition to their community.

Examples of Effective Diversity Statements for Law School Applications

Reading examples of effective diversity statements can be a great way to see what works and what doesn’t. Here are some excerpts from successful statements:

"As a first-generation college student from a low-income household, I have had to overcome numerous obstacles in my pursuit of higher education. These challenges have not only strengthened my resilience and determination but have also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of education."

"Growing up in a multicultural household has given me a unique perspective on the world. My bilingualism has allowed me to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and has inspired me to seek a career in public service."

"In addition to my personal experiences with diversity, I have also actively sought out opportunities to engage with and learn from individuals from different backgrounds. Through volunteering at a local community center and participating in a study abroad program, I have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the importance of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society."

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Writing Your Diversity Statement

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a diversity statement, there are some common mistakes that applicants make that you can avoid. Here are a few:

• Don’t rely solely on your demographics: While race, ethnic background, and cultural heritage are important parts of diversity, they do not guarantee that your statement will be compelling on their own. Don’t simply rehash what is listed on your application.
• Don’t write a sob story: It’s important to show resilience and perseverance when discussing challenges you’ve faced, but be careful not to come across as a victim. Focus on how you’ve overcome your challenges and what you’ve learned from them.
• Avoid clichés: Phrases like “I’ve always been interested in law because I want to help people” are overused and unoriginal. Instead, focus on specific experiences and show, don’t tell.

One mistake to avoid is making your diversity statement too general. It’s important to be specific about your experiences and how they have shaped your perspective on diversity. This will make your statement more unique and memorable to the reader.

Another mistake to avoid is using overly academic language. While it’s important to demonstrate your writing skills, using complex language can make your statement difficult to understand. Instead, aim for clear and concise language that effectively communicates your ideas.

How to Highlight Your Unique Experiences and Background

One of the most important aspects of writing a diversity statement is putting your unique perspective and experiences front and center. When discussing your background or identity, focus on specific anecdotes and experiences that have shaped your perspective, rather than generalizations.

It is also important to consider the intersectionality of your identity and experiences. For example, if you are a person of color who is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you may have unique experiences and perspectives that are shaped by both aspects of your identity. Be sure to highlight these intersections and how they have influenced your worldview.

Additionally, don't be afraid to discuss any challenges or obstacles you have faced as a result of your identity. Sharing how you have overcome adversity can demonstrate resilience and strength, and can also help others who may be facing similar challenges feel seen and heard.

The Importance of Authenticity in Your Diversity Statement

Perhaps the most important aspect of writing a diversity statement is being authentic and honest. Don’t try to present yourself as someone you’re not in an attempt to fit a certain mold. Admissions officers are looking for candidates who are true to themselves and values.

Being authentic in your diversity statement not only helps you stand out as a candidate, but it also allows you to showcase your unique experiences and perspectives. Your diversity statement should reflect your personal journey and how it has shaped your understanding of diversity and inclusion. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a diversity statement, so don't be afraid to share your own story and voice.

Addressing Potential Challenges or Obstacles in Your Diversity Statement

When discussing challenges or obstacles you’ve faced, it’s important to focus on how you’ve overcome them and what you’ve learned, rather than simply describing the challenges themselves. This can be a powerful way to illustrate resilience, perseverance, and determination.

Using Language Effectively in Your Diversity Statement

Effective use of language is key to writing a strong diversity statement. Here are some tips:

• Use descriptive language that evokes emotion and helps the admissions committee get to know you better.
• Avoid clichés and generic language; instead, use words and phrases that are specific to you and your experiences.
• Consider varying sentence length and structure to create a sense of rhythm and flow.
• Proofread your statement carefully to avoid grammar or spelling errors.

Tips for Tailoring Your Diversity Statement to Different Law Schools

While your core diversity statement may remain the same, you may want to tailor it to specific law schools or programs. Consider researching the mission statement or values of each program and incorporating those themes into your statement.

How to Use Your Diversity Statement to Stand Out Among Other Applicants

Writing a strong diversity statement can help you stand out among other law school applicants. Use your statement to demonstrate what makes you unique, showcase your character and values, and highlight how you will contribute to the law school community.

The Impact of a Strong Diversity Statement on Law School Admissions

A strong diversity statement can have a significant impact on law school admissions. Admissions officers want to build diverse student bodies, and a thoughtful and well-crafted diversity statement can help make you a stand-out candidate.

What Admissions Officers Really Want to See in a Diversity Statement

At the end of the day, what admissions officers really want to see in a diversity statement is authenticity and uniqueness. They want to get to know you better and understand what sets you apart from other candidates.

By following these tips and crafting a compelling diversity statement, you can increase your chances of standing out among other law school applicants and ultimately securing a spot in your dream program.

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3 ways to nail the diversity essay and get into a top law school

• Grad school essay expert Robert Schwartz shares how to nail the law school diversity statement.
• It's an essay where applicants can show parts of themselves they struggle with, he says.
• Or, consider diversity of thought or experience.

In addition to the required personal statement , many law schools — including Stanford and Harvard — give applicants a chance to write an optional diversity essay .

According to Robert Schwartz, president of college application consulting company Your Best College Essay , this essay gives candidates a wide-open playing field to share information that might help them get in.

"There is literally nothing you can't write about," Schwartz said.

He added that applicants should take this freebie seriously. 

"Think about all the other applicants who will take the time to do so thoughtfully and with sincerity. They're your competition," he said.

One reason it's important to prioritize this part of the application is that law schools are increasingly looking for a diverse student body.

"Once upon a time, law schools were very homogeneous," Schwartz said. "In the last few years, they wanted to better reflect what America looks like. If you don't fit into one certain box, you will bring a unique perspective to that campus."

Schwartz shared with Insider three tips for coming up with an exceptional diversity statement that will support your application and give admissions officers another reason to accept you.

Share a part of yourself you've struggled with

If you have one aspect of your life you want to explain or go into detail about — even if it has nothing to do with law school or being a lawyer — Schwartz said you should include it in your diversity essay.

For example, last year, Schwartz worked with an applicant who's dyslexic and spoke about her struggles in class, personal relationships, and extracurriculars, using it as an example of her resilience and ability to persevere. 

Related stories

Another applicant wrote her personal statement about being two years old when her parents died and how she (with help from aunts and uncles) raised her younger siblings. 

"The challenge was powerful, but she somehow managed to get her undergraduate education, work, and keep her siblings on track to also attend college," Schwartz said. 

Remember there's diversity of thought, too

While law schools want all races, nationalities, ethnicities, and genders represented in their student body, applicants often overlook the fact that admissions directors are also looking for people who think differently.

Last year, Schwartz had an applicant who was pro-life. The applicant told him about a time when she met a group of pro-choice students and they discussed their beliefs together. What transpired, he said, was a fascinating conversation that spanned not just the pro-life/pro-choice divide, but religion and women's rights, too. 

"At the end, no one changed sides, but at least they all heard the other one out and there was a mutual respect," he said. The applicant realized she was never going to turn her pro-choice friends into pro-life supporters and turned the highly charged conversation into a learning experience. 

"She was gathering information, researching how pro-choice people defend their point of view," Schwartz said. "She saw it as a good way to learn good interrogation techniques, to ask follow-up questions, to make her friend defend her opinion in a way that might have made an opening to prove her friend wrong." 

In the end, Schwartz wasn't surprised she was accepted into a top 10 law school. 

It's OK to be a little funny

Bringing humor into your application may feel like going out on a limb, but Schwartz said it's "not the risk you may think it is."

"Being light and fun is like a gift to admissions officers, something unexpected. When I hear a story or perspective that I think would work, I wholeheartedly support a lighter tone," he said. 

One applicant of his told a story about a bachelor party he attended where he drew the short straw and had to be the designated driver. 

"In the story, he lamented about not being able to enjoy himself as much as his friends did at the party," Schwartz said. "But as the night went on, he saw his role being the designated driver as an important role which he took seriously. The night got way out of hand, and he ended up putting out many fires, and no one got into trouble." 

The takeaway of his story was subtle. "The experience of being the designated driver showed the applicant to be responsible and trustworthy, cool-headed, and supportive," Schwartz said.

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• Main content

New Law School Diversity Statements ("Life Experience/Perspective Essays"): FAQ

This blog post comes from our consultants Anne Dutia, Danielle Early, Paula Gluzman, and Tom Robinson. You can read their full bios here or at the end of this post.

Over the last year, as a result of the 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions, most law schools have changed their prompts for the essays that have long been known as “Diversity Statements.” These new prompts have many names, but two of the most common are Life Experience Essays and Perspective Essays, so we will refer to them as “E/P essays” moving forward.

Choosing whether and/or how to write the new versions of these E/P essays can be a difficult decision. Our team has collectively guided hundreds of applicants as they navigated this new component of the application process in the past admissions cycle. Below, we’ve collected our responses to frequently asked questions about these newer essay prompts. We hope you find them helpful! 

Quick disclaimer that the 2024-2025 application instructions and prompts are not yet available. It is very important to pay special attention to the schools’ prompts as they may well change again this coming cycle. 

Law School Life Experience/Perspective Essay FAQs

What’s the difference between life experience and life perspective essays, and how do they differ from what law schools wanted before .

For a bit of context, along with the required personal statement, law schools have traditionally offered the option of writing a diversity statement for applicants to share more about aspects of their identity, background, and overcoming hardships and adversity. In more recent years, but specifically, after the 2023 SCOTUS decision to remove race-conscious admissions practices, diversity statement prompts have evolved to encompass broader life experiences and perspectives—hence the new names and titles for these optional statements.  

In many ways, both types of these new essay prompts are asking about the understanding you have developed and the insights you have gleaned on issues important to you. For some people, those insights will come from personal experience, and for others, it may be from study. Regardless of how you came to these experiences or perspectives, there should be a clear articulation of why your insights would be valuable in the study and practice of law, whether it’s how you engage with others or the questions you may raise that wouldn’t occur to others. Here is a quick diagram to illustrate the differences a bit more.

What if I am not a member of an underrepresented minority group? Should I still write an E/P essay, even when it is optional?

Everyone’s experiences and the insights derived from them are valuable. E/P essays are certainly not limited to members of underrepresented minority groups but can be about a significant aspect of your life or identity, exposure to new ideas, and/or impactful experiences. If you can connect those in a meaningful way to how you would approach certain situations or interact with certain groups, that could be quite effective. Or, if you can use your experience to demonstrate grit, compassion, or a particular understanding of a specific issue, that could also work well. If you are writing about challenges or adversity, these also don’t have to be limited to challenges or adversity associated with being a member of a minority group. For example, you could discuss what you learned growing up while spending all of your free time working for a small family-owned business, or as the caretaker of elderly grandparents or younger siblings, or the leadership lessons gained from being a student-athlete—these could be interesting topics that could make for excellent E/P essays. 

I am an underrepresented student. What should/can I share in my E/P essay? Is there anything I should avoid writing about now that these prompts are not traditional Diversity Statements?

First and foremost, write your story authentically and do not feel like you have to hide or undermine your true identity. Let your story illustrate your diversity, perspectives, and how your experiences shape the contributions you will make. Your identity should be shared within the context of your story, and it may encompass new perspectives you have shared in personal, academic, or professional settings. In some cases, underrepresented students might have painful stories to share about encountering racism, discrimination, or marginalization. While you are not required to share these aspects of your life story, it can help the admissions committee understand the distance you have traveled in your journey to law school. Many applicants from underrepresented student groups have both positive and negative experiences to share in an E/P essay. The key is to tell your story in the context of how it will help you contribute during your law school years and as a legal professional.

How long should the E/P essay be?

Pay attention to schools’ instructions. While you don’t have to use the entire length allowed, be sure not to go over the maximum length. Some schools limit the E/Pessay to 500 words, one page, or two pages, while others do not give a page limit. If a school does not give a page limit, then anything in the range of one to one and a half pages would be a good guide to follow. 

Is this essay really optional? How many should I write when a school provides multiple prompts?

For most schools, the answer is, yes, they are optional! (However, don’t count yourself out because at first glance you can’t think of a topic.) The E/P essays are required for a few schools (e.g. Harvard and Vanderbilt), while other schools may require one additional essay from a list that may include a Diversity or an E/P-related prompt. 

If a school allows for more than one essay, be judicious and use good judgment on whether your application needs another essay added to the collective materials you are already submitting. More is not always better.

What types of life experiences and perspectives are they interested in? Can I share about my own personal growth? Interpersonal experiences in my family or community? Work/professional experience? How far back can I go? What if I am still in college and don’t have work experience?

We have provided a sample of ideas below that clients successfully wrote about last year. This list shows you the array of experiences, ranging from one-of-a-kind unique situations to common occurrences experienced by many. Don’t count yourself out just because you think your experiences aren’t significant, unique, or compelling. You can speak to experiences from as far back or as recent as you want as long as they are still relevant to you today. 

Law School Life Experience/Perspective Essay Examples Topics: 

• Trying to promote female empowerment within their industry
• Being a woman in a mal/e-dominated space
• Being raised gender neutral 
• Ways, as a member of mostly majority classes, the applicant’s experiences being exposed to different groups influenced their approach to their jobs/lives
• As a leader, having to deal with difficult, emotionally-charged conversations 
• Acknowledgments of the value of ensuring all voices are heard
• Learning how to communicate across different academic and cultural backgrounds
• Volunteering in a prison
• Dealing with family difficulties, abuse, mental health issues, incarceration, or other major adversities
• Being a primary caregiver for siblings, parents, or grandparents
• Military experience
• Experiences with racism
• Positive experiences with cultural identity
• How being mixed race provides perspective
• Reckoning experience as bisexual in a traditional family
• Experiences with discrimination based on sexuality

Socio - economic

• Growing up with significant financial struggles
• Living in an area with severe blatant wealth inequality

Religion  

• Struggling with finding their place within their family’s religion
• Growing up in multiple religions
• How religion emphasizes acts of service
• Connecting to faith later in life

Immigration

• Growing up with different cultural expectations between immigrant parents and US standards
• Following an unexpected path to STEM
• Creating and developing communities in new places

Disability/Medical 

• Being misdiagnosed
• Being ignored by doctors 
• How having a diagnosis changes the way people see your actions
• -Neurodivergence or late-diagnosed neurodivergence
• Having a “hidden” illness or disability

Do I have to write a different essay for each school?

Many times, you can use the general topic or theme of one school’s prompt and adapt it to other schools, but you probably won’t be able to use the same exact essay for every school on your list. The reality of these newer and broader prompts is that they make it more challenging for applicants to select one workable topic or to write one relevant essay that applies to all. You’ll likely have to write a few different versions, either slightly augmenting your first essay to work for one unique prompt or tweaking the topic to work for prompts of multiple schools. This is especially true for applicants who may have more traditional diversity statement content to share. 

There are so many different E/P prompts! How do I adapt my essay for the various schools? 

There are several different strategies you can use for picking your essay topics. One way is to start by focusing on the message or story you want to share about yourself, and then read the school’s prompt to see how your messaging fits into the prompt. Ask yourself if there are stories and experiences not covered in your personal statement that law schools should know about you, and how those circumstances can be conveyed in ways that directly respond to the prompts.

Another strategy is to begin with the prompts, determine the different categories of content they want to learn about you, and then see which aspects of your story fit into them. For some prompts, you may need to write a new essay, but the topic could be the same. For example, you may have written your essay for one school about your life experience growing up in a religious household, realizing that you have different beliefs, and how you came to that realization. However, another school might ask you to write about difficult conversations you have experienced. For this prompt, you might then consider sharing how you told your parents about your conflicted feelings about the family’s religion. 

Another working strategy is to figure out which schools require an E/P essay (for example, Harvard and Vanderbilt), use those prompts to draft your essay, and then customize versions as needed for the other schools. 

Depending on your story and experiences, your strategy may differ from that of another applicant. Regardless, take the time to be strategic so you can work smarter, not harder when it comes to crafting these essays. Make sure you read each school's prompts and think about how you can share your story based on what they are asking for. Hopefully, you won’t need to write too many different versions.

Should I write about my race or ethnicity if I am underrepresented in the legal field? Can I speak to intersectionality? 

Certainly speak to intersectionality, if you can. If you are choosing between multiple options for your topic, and if you do come from a traditionally underrepresented race or ethnicity, keep the following in mind: Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that schools cannot directly ask about a student’s racial background, they can still consider your identity(ies) if you share them through your essays—in other words, law schools can no longer ask, but applicants can certainly still tell. Race cannot be a deciding factor in admissions, but it can still be one of many considerations if the applicant shares their perspective in their application. Essays that highlight your racial diversity and speak to how that perspective shapes you will be the only place that a school will learn about your diverse identity as they make their admission decision.  

How do I include information about my background in a way that is helpful to the admissions reviewers?

The Supreme Court made sure to emphasize that it is not just your experience and perspective that matters, but how this can contribute to your law school community and the legal profession at large. Paraphrasing Chief Justice Roberts’ words: 

Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.

Accordingly, it will be most helpful to admissions for applicants to connect the dots between your experience/perspective and the contribution you will make. Think outside of the box about what “contribution” means in the context of your actions, viewpoints, representation, interactions with others, and work outcomes you bring as a person, student, and future professional. Have your experiences encouraged you to see from multiple different viewpoints with more clarity? Have they allowed you to empathize and identify with communities you hope to work with as an attorney? Will they allow you to share a perspective that is often overlooked in the classroom or the judicial system? These could all be themes of a strong E/P essay.

How can I talk about overcoming adversity for schools that don’t ask for it?

In some cases, it may not be advisable to attach an unsolicited E/P essay. It is important to consider whether a school allows for this or if they would frown on unsolicited information. One option is to ask an admissions officer at the school if they would be open to an unsolicited E/P  essay. For example, Stanford Law and Yale Law do not currently have a space for this type of essay. In 2023-2024, Yale did have a “Grit” essay, but some applicants might not feel that this prompt would be appropriate for what they want to share. So, think carefully and maybe inquire about this possibility before doing it. Also, when the 2024-2025 applications are launched, YLS and SLS may bring back this opportunity. 

Parting thoughts:

As more relevant hot topics and burning questions come our way, we will update this post. For now, we hope these FAQs are helpful as you navigate the best strategy, topics, and story to share in your E/P essays.

Anne Dutia has been involved on both sides of the admissions process since 2001. After practicing law for a few years, she spent four years in admissions at The University of Michigan Law School as Assistant Director and then served as a pre-law advisor at The University of Texas at Dallas until joining Spivey Consulting in October of 2017. As a pre-law advisor, Anne was on the Executive Board of the Southwestern Association of Pre-Law Advisors (SWAPLA) and on the Pre-Law Advisors National Council (PLANC), helping to organize multiple pre-law advising conferences. She was also a coach of a Top 15 undergraduate Moot Court team and continues to serve on the Executive Board of the American Moot Court Association (AMCA).

Born in Bombay, India, Anne has lived all over the United States. She earned her BA at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama, and her JD from the University of Alabama. Despite living in Texas for almost 20 years, she still calls Alabama home and can be found cheering on the Crimson Tide most Saturdays in the fall.

Danielle Early has 15 years of admissions experience, most recently serving as Associate Director of Admissions at Harvard Law School. As a voting member of the HLS admissions committee, she evaluated over 10,000 applications and conducted hundreds of admissions interviews. Prior to joining Karen in the HLS admissions office, Danielle worked in undergraduate admissions at Harvard College as well as Clark University.

In addition to the many roles Danielle filled in the HLS admissions office, she also served as a proctor (or dorm parent/resident hall director) while at Harvard, acting as an academic and career advisor for students. Danielle has spent considerable time counseling students throughout their undergraduate careers, job searches and grad school applications.

Danielle earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Clark University as a double major in Communications and Studio Art and then continued on there to earn a Master’s Degree in Professional Communications. These days, you are likely to find her hiking with her dog, taking cooking classes or working on a new drawing.

Paula Gluzman has over a decade of experience in legal practice and law school administration. Her true passion for working with students throughout their entire law school journey is demonstrated through her diverse professional positions. As the Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at the University of Washington School of Law and later at UCLA School of Law, Paula has read and evaluated hundreds of admissions files, interviewed applicants, and worked directly with candidates all over the country and abroad to advise them on the law school admissions process. In addition to mentoring and advising pre-law students and traveling the country to present on law school admissions topics, Paula also worked in law school career services, employer outreach and recruiting, and professional development training. She has reviewed and edited hundreds of resumes, cover letters, and other application materials, as well as graded California Bar exam practice tests. Additionally, Paula’s work as a law school career advisor allows her to bring the full-circle perspective to the admissions process, helping applicants make informed and strategic law school decisions from a career and professional development perspective.

Paula has served in elected leadership and board positions during law school (including a journal comments editor), and professionally in NALP (National Association for Law Placement), SDLRA (San Diego Legal Recruiting Association), and LEAP (Legal Education Access Pipeline). As an immigrant and the first in her family to attend law school, Paula is proactive in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in legal education and hiring. In the years that she has studied and engaged in DE&I work, she understands the challenges involved in getting to law school and the value of knowledgeable mentorship through the admissions process. As Spivey Consulting Group’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Paula also spearheads the firm’s annual Pro-Bono Program and other efforts to provide equal access to law school admissions information.

Lastly, to complement her advising and counseling experience, Paula prides herself on helping her clients bring their stories to life through their statements. Through her personal passion for written expression, as well as her academic and professional writing and editing experience, Paula provides each client with the guidance to showcase their best attributes and highlight how they add distinguishing value to their future law school.

Paula lives in Northern California with her family and their scruffy little pup.

Tom Robinson has worked in admissions for over 20 years and enjoys advising students as they navigate the admissions process. Most recently, Tom served as the Director of J.D. Admissions at Harvard Law School, where he received the 2018 Dean’s Award for Excellence. During his years in admissions, Tom has evaluated thousands of applications, interviewed more than 900 law applicants, and served on admissions committees within three different universities.

As a first generation college student himself, Tom understands the value of good advising throughout the admissions process. He is particularly proud of his role in admitting the first-ever class at Harvard Law with more than 50% women, has advised students from across China, Europe, and North and South America, and enjoys talking with veterans about their law school aspirations.

In addition to his professional experience, Tom earned a Master of Education at the University of Vermont and a Doctorate in Leadership in Higher Education from the University of Massachusetts, where he concentrated on issues related to learning outcomes and campus racial climates.

Tom has focused on academic and creative writing throughout his education, including while conducting a qualitative ethnographic study that became the basis of his dissertation. He has also co-authored several articles in peer-reviewed journals within the education field. Tom invests time in getting to know his clients and how their stories can be persuasively and compellingly shared with admissions committees.

When not working with potential applicants, you can find Tom hiking with his yellow lab Wilma, spending time with family, kayaking, or cycling northwest of Boston!

Six Tips for Writing a Successful Diversity Statement for Law School Applications

December 8, 2021

Stratus Admissions

When applying to law school, the diversity statement is typically an optional essay that serves as a companion to your required personal statement essay. The diversity statement provides law schools details about you: your personal experiences, your unique voice, and how you will add a diverse perspective to their class. Keep the following tips in mind to write an effective diversity statement:

1. Remember, it’s about YOU!

The diversity statement conveys to law schools deeper dimensions of who you are as well as what circumstances and events have shaped your life. While your personal statement communicates why you want to go to law school and what qualifications, experiences, and accomplishments have prepared you for this endeavor, the diversity statement is more personal in nature and focuses on what makes you unique and how you would help increase diversity in the classroom.

Diversity statement topics can range from overcoming hardship (poverty, illness, abuse, death in the family, etc.) or volunteering to serve your community to encounters with other cultural or sub-cultural groups. These are just examples; be sure to focus on what makes your story uniquely yours .

One former Stratus Admissions client wrote about his experience on a religious pilgrimage through Spain during his senior of college. Through this pilgrimage, he learned about his own heritage as well as modern-day poverty in Spain. This experience cultivated his desire to go to law school and become an advocate for human rights.

To begin drafting your diversity statement, think about the most formative experiences of your life and jot them down digitally or in a journal.

2. Start with an outline.

Like your personal statement, you should outline your diversity statement before you begin writing.

Pick one major life experience or event, summarize that event in an introduction, and then use each body paragraph to provide details about the experience or event and the various ways it has shaped who you are.

Conclude with your reflection: How has your unique experience shaped your perspective, and how will this add to a law school’s diversity?

However, here is one caveat: do not repeat information that you’ve already included in your personal statement.

3. Include stories that add value.

Most essays can benefit from anecdotes and stories, and this is especially true for the diversity statement. Incorporating details and dialogue can make an essay even more compelling.

For example, if you write about growing up in a poor rural community, share stories about the people with whom you grew up. What was a typical day in your life like? How far did you have to drive just to get to the supermarket? Did you have access to legal aid if you needed it? These details can bring your essay to life.

4. Keep it brief.

Typically, the diversity statement is only one to two pages double-spaced (while most personal statements run two to four pages). Formatting varies from school to school, so be sure to confirm each school’s requirements.

5. Ask for feedback.

Just like with your personal statement, obtaining feedback is important to build a strong diversity statement. Ask someone you trust—perhaps a professor who is writing your letter of recommendation or a colleague—to review the essay and provide detailed feedback. Take sufficient time to evaluate their feedback and make necessary edits.

6. Proofread!

Always, always proofread your diversity statement before you submit. Typos and errors will not be well received by law school admissions committees and will weaken your application.

A strong diversity statement can convey to law school admissions committees a deeper sense of who you are, what has shaped your values, and how you will bring diversity to their classroom. Getting a head start well before applications are due ensures that you will have the strongest possible diversity statement to support your candidacy for law school.

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Should You Write a Diversity Statement for Law School?

• September 23, 2015
• / Reviewed by: Matt Riley

Everyone knows you need to write a personal statement when applying to law school, but did you know you might need to write a diversity statement too?

Before I share tips on how to write one, let’s first talk about the purpose of the diversity statement.

Good law schools want a rich learning environment for their students. A rich learning environment involves the inclusion of different perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and philosophies contributing to the dialogue, debate, and discussion in each class. Good law schools recognize that having a diverse student body is a benefit to all law students (and to law professors as well). The diversity statement is one way to see if an applicant would contribute to a diverse 1L class, because the application form may not give the law school admissions committee enough information about the applicant’s background and diversity factors.

If you’re applying to law school, I highly recommend that you think hard about whether you have any diversity factors.

Diversity factors include, but are not limited to, the following: • Ethnic minority • Low-income childhood • Low-income now • First generation in your family to graduate from college • GLBTQ community • Non-traditional student (i.e., older student) • Single parent while attending college • Disabilities (learning, physical, mental) • Underrepresented religious affiliation • Immigrant • Foster child • Grew up in an unusual neighborhood, town/city, or country • Grew up with unique circumstances that are underrepresented in the law school’s student body

If you have any of these factors in your background, you should consider writing a diversity statement.

Most law schools’ application instructions state that the diversity statement should be submitted as an addendum and/or optional essay. If the school does not specifically ask for a diversity statement, contact the admissions office to see if they will accept one. Some schools would rather you incorporate your diversity factors into your personal statement, while others are open to it being a separate essay.

So, how do you go about writing a diversity statement?

First, I recommend reading some great diversity statements. Download my FREE Personal Statement Packet and read the four diversity statement samples included in it. You can get a good idea of how to approach and structure a diversity statement by carefully reading and analyzing these samples. Similar to the personal statement, the diversity statement is essentially a structured short story about YOU. Keep in mind, though, that your diversity statement is much shorter than your personal statement–it should generally be one page, double-spaced, with a 11- to 12-point font.

Second, read each of the diversity statements again and read the adjoining personal statements that go with them. Notice how the applicant’s diversity factor(s) might be mentioned in his or her personal statement, but they are covered in more detail in the diversity statement. I recommend that you do this. As law school officials always tell me, “Applicants need to self-identify!” And I would add, applicants need to self-identify in more than one place in their law school application.

Third, please remember as you’re writing your draft that the diversity statement should be focused generally on your family background and upbringing. If you start veering towards other stories about your life or career, or why you want to go to law school, know that you’re veering towards personal statement territory. Steer yourself back to focusing on your family background and upbringing.

Lastly, when you have a draft of your diversity statement that is ready for human consumption (usually your second or third draft), have several trusted and objective people review it. Look for patterns in the feedback given to you. If two people say the same thing, pay attention. Then revise, revise, revise until your diversity statement is the best that it can be.

PEG CHENG is the author of The No B.S. Guides for applying to law school and the founder of Prelaw Guru , where you can find law school admissions tips, videos, books, and more.

Diversity statements may not apply to everyone. Your LSAT score will still reign supreme over your law school application. Make sure you can do your best by using the best LSAT prep. Schedule a call with us to find what LSAT prep course works best for you!

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Deciding on the diversity statement for law school admissions

The diversity statement is intended to tell law schools about an experience you’ve had, typically based on some aspect of one’s identity (e.g., gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, family education background) that will make you a unique contributor to an incoming class. These essays are meant to be meaningful – what is something about your identity that actually distinguishes you from others. It will be very, very bad for your application if it comes off that you “wrote it just to write it.” To give some context, in my five years of law school admissions coaching, I have only encouraged four students to write it.

If you are thinking about the diversity statement, I suggest you ask yourself three questions:

Do you have a topic in mind that you feel moved to write about.

This is not the time to work through writer’s block and get something on the page, as might have to be the case with the personal statement. If you don’t have something in mind, based on just a bit of brainstorming and reflection, just don’t do it. It is truly optional – there is no value add to writing anything but a stellar, profound essay.

What types of adversity have you gone through?

Relatedly, while the essay is called the “diversity statement,” students often, and appropriately, write about adversity they have experienced related to some aspect of their identity. This gives law schools the opportunity to assess their experience more comprehensively – instead of just seeing demographic background, they get to learn a little bit more about what types of hardships the student has gone through, and how these experiences will contribute to a diverse class.

Often, students want to write about a unique skill (unicycling, Olympic swimming), a unique academic interest (local history, airplane design). While I won’t say that you should never write about these topics, you absolutely must think about how it will be read alongside the greater diversity statement pool. People will be writing about real trauma – racial violence, gender-affirmation surgery, sexism in the workplace. Is your essay about pogo-stick racing going to sound as serious as these deep, life-altering experiences? Above all, be very, very careful. This is perhaps especially true when writing about diversity of political views, or moments of ideological isolation.

How connected is the diversity statement with your legal interests?

Relatedly, the more aligned your diversity statement is with your legal interests, the better. A disconnected statement about your time growing up abroad isn’t the assignment. Instead, try and channel your background into your legal interests. For example, did growing up all over the world cement your interest in combating human rights abuses? Did an experience with the police motivate you to pursue a career in criminal legal reform? Do you want to practice movement lawyering after experiencing workplace discrimination? These are the types of connections that can really make these essays stand out.

Any statement that is not topically connected to your legal interests, and at least tangentially connected to experiencing diversity, should almost never be written. Work with your CC admissions coach – they will have a good sense of appropriate topics!

Related Content

Law School Diversity Statement

Ai generator.

Will you ever take the opportunity of getting into a school of your choice to take a degree of your choice, but the catch is you will be going to school with students who come from all walks of life? Will you or will you not take that opportunity? As diversity is concerned, a lot of people may or may not take this opportunity for their own reasons. Many students who take up law school know that there are some schools that do offer a diversity of students into their school. What makes them unique is the fact that a lot of students from different backgrounds or different walks of life are given the opportunity to attend these schools and to take advantage of the educational system. If you do plan to take up law in schools like Harvard or Stanford, you should also be ready to write your very own law school diversity statement, and here’s how you can. 

9+ Law School Diversity Statement Examples

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What Is a Law School Diversity Statement?

A law school diversity statement is a type of personal statement that law students write in order to get a spot in law school. The law school diversity statement is a personal statement that gives the applicants an opportunity to write about who they are as a person, their background, either familial or personal, their own unique identity, their likes and dislikes, their hobbies and interests both in and out of the classroom or in school, and of course anything that could give a unique point of view about them to their fellow classmates. Lastly, law school diversity statements are a nice way of getting to know you as a person and for the rest of them to get to know you. The statement is a good essay type to help you write about what you think you can expect and contribute when you are accepted into law school.

How to Make a Law School Diversity Statement

Are you a law student or an applicant for a degree in law? Have you been told that in order for you to be accepted into the school of your choice, you must write a statement or a diversity statement? There is a reason for the committee in the program to tell students or applicants to write a diversity statement and you may already know that. In order to get into the school of your choice, here are steps to help you get started on your law school diversity statement.

1. Address the Topic as Something Personal

A good introduction for your personal statement is always the best place to start. Addressing the topic as something personal for you will also help with making it easier. The reason to address this as something personal is that the committee is seeking out a way to get to know you as a whole through the personal statement. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to talk about you, your culture, your beliefs, and everything unique about you without judgment.

2. Be Specific with Your Statements

There is always an opportunity to be vague about your statement, but avoid doing that. That is also one of the things that the committee will never approve when reading your diversity statement as it tells them little or nothing about you as a person.

3. Write as If You Are Telling a Story

In order for you to stand out as you can expect a lot of diversity statements being handed in, the best thing you can do is to write as if you are telling a story. Avoid having to sound monotonous in your writing. Add some flare to it. Tell a story about your experiences in a diverse area with friends or family.

4. Be Honest with the Information You Are Giving

While you may want to write a story, you must also remember that any information you are writing should be true to you, true to who you are as a person and not someone else’s story being passed on to you. Be honest.

What is a law school diversity statement?

A law school diversity statement is a type of personal statement that law students write in order to get a spot in law school.

What is a good reason for writing a diversity statement?

When you want to attend law school, you must write a diversity statement in order to let the committee know who you are as a unique person and the people you are going to be attending law with.

What is something that you should avoid?

Never state that you do not want to be in a diverse university. That is not something the committee would want to read.

To get into law school, you have to have the following: an idea, some luck, and a good diversity statement. In order for that to happen, you must be able to write a diversity statement that makes you stand out from the rest.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

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The Diversity Essay: How to Write an Excellent Diversity Essay

What is a diversity essay in a school application? And why does it matter when applying to leading programs and universities? Most importantly, how should you go about writing such an essay?

Diversity is of supreme value in higher education, and schools want to know how every student will contribute to the diversity on their campus. A diversity essay gives applicants with disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, an unusual education, a distinctive experience, or a unique family history an opportunity to write about how these elements of their background have prepared them to play a useful role in increasing and encouraging diversity among their target program’s student body and broader community.

The purpose of all application essays is to help the adcom better understand who an applicant is and what they care about. Your essays are your chance to share your voice and humanize your application. This is especially true for the diversity essay, which aims to reveal your unique perspectives and experiences, as well as the ways in which you might contribute to a college community.

In this post, we’ll discuss what exactly a diversity essay is, look at examples of actual prompts and a sample essay, and offer tips for writing a standout essay. 

In this post, you’ll find the following: 

What a diversity essay covers

How to show you can add to a school’s diversity, why diversity matters to schools.

• Seven examples that reveal diversity

Sample diversity essay prompts

How to write about your diversity.

• A diversity essay example

Upon hearing the word “diversity” in relation to an application essay, many people assume that they will have to write about gender, sexuality, class, or race. To many, this can feel overly personal or irrelevant, and some students might worry that their identity isn’t unique or interesting enough. In reality, the diversity essay is much broader than many people realize.

Identity means different things to different people. The important thing is that you demonstrate your uniqueness and what matters to you. In addition to writing about one of the traditional identity features we just mentioned (gender, sexuality, class, race), you could consider writing about a more unusual feature of yourself or your life – or even the intersection of two or more identities.

Consider these questions as you think about what to include in your diversity essay:

• Do you have a unique or unusual talent or skill?
• Do you have beliefs or values that are markedly different from those of the people around you? 
• Do you have a hobby or interest that sets you apart from your peers? 
• Have you done or experienced something that few people have? Note that if you choose to write about a single event as a diverse identity feature, that event needs to have had a pretty substantial impact on you and your life. For example, perhaps you’re part of the 0.2% of the world’s population that has run a marathon, or you’ve had the chance to watch wolves hunt in the wild.
• Do you have a role in life that gives you a special outlook on the world? For example, maybe one of your siblings has a rare disability, or you grew up in a town with fewer than 500 inhabitants.

If you are an immigrant to the United States, the child of immigrants, or someone whose ethnicity is underrepresented in the States, your response to “How will you add to the diversity of our class/community?” and similar questions might help your application efforts. Why? Because you have the opportunity to show the adcom how your background will contribute a distinctive perspective to the program you are applying to.

Of course, if you’re not underrepresented in your field or part of a disadvantaged group, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have anything to write about in a diversity essay.

For example, you might have an unusual or special experience to share, such as serving in the military, being a member of a dance troupe, or caring for a disabled relative. These and other distinctive experiences can convey how you will contribute to the diversity of the school’s campus.

Maybe you are the first member of your family to apply to college or the first person in your household to learn English. Perhaps you have worked your way through college or helped raise your siblings. You might also have been an ally to those who are underrepresented, disadvantaged, or marginalized in your community, at your school, or in a work setting. 

As you can see, diversity is not limited to one’s religion, ethnicity, culture, language, or sexual orientation. It refers to whatever element of your identity distinguishes you from others and shows that you, too, value diversity.

The diversity essay provides colleges the chance to build a student body that includes different ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, backgrounds, interests, and so on. Applicants are asked to illuminate what sets them apart so that the adcoms can see what kind of diverse views and opinions they can bring to the campus.

Admissions officers believe that diversity in the classroom improves the educational experience of all the students involved. They also believe that having a diverse workforce better serves society as a whole.

The more diverse perspectives found in the classroom, throughout the dorms, in the dining halls, and mixed into study groups, the richer people’s discussions will be.

Plus, learning and growing in this kind of multicultural environment will prepare students for working in our increasingly multicultural and global world.

In medicine, for example, a heterogeneous workforce benefits people from previously underrepresented cultures. Businesses realize that they will market more effectively if they can speak to different audiences, which is possible when members of their workforce come from various backgrounds and cultures. Schools simply want to prepare graduates for the 21st century job market.

Seven examples that reveal diversity

Adcoms want to know about the diverse elements of your character and how these have helped you develop particular  personality traits , as well as about any unusual experiences that have shaped you.

Here are seven examples an applicant could write about:

1. They grew up in an environment with a strong emphasis on respecting their elders, attending family events, and/or learning their parents’ native language and culture.

2. They are close to their grandparents and extended family members who have taught them how teamwork can help everyone thrive.

3. They have had to face difficulties that stem from their parents’ values being in conflict with theirs or those of their peers.

4. Teachers have not always understood the elements of their culture or lifestyle and how those elements influence their performance.

5. They have suffered discrimination and succeeded despite it because of their grit, values, and character.

6. They learned skills from a lifestyle that is outside the norm (e.g., living in foreign countries as the child of a diplomat or contractor; performing professionally in theater, dance, music, or sports; having a deaf sibling).

7. They’ve encountered racism or other prejudice (either toward themselves or others) and responded by actively promoting diverse, tolerant values.

And remember, diversity is not about who your parents are.  It’s about who you are  – at the core.

Your background, influences, religious observances, native language, ideas, work environment, community experiences – all these factors come together to create a unique individual, one who will contribute to a varied class of distinct individuals taking their place in a diverse world.

The best-known diversity essay prompt is from the  Common App . It states:

“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

Some schools have individual diversity essay prompts. For example, this one is from  Duke University :

“We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.” 

And the  Rice University application includes the following prompt:

“Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?”

In all instances, colleges want you to demonstrate how and what you’ll contribute to their communities.

Your answer to a school’s diversity essay question should focus on how your experiences have built your empathy for others, your embrace of differences, your resilience, your character, and your perspective.

The school might ask how you think of diversity or how you will bring or add to the diversity of the school, your chosen profession, or your community. Make sure you answer the specific question posed by highlighting distinctive elements of your profile that will add to the class mosaic every adcom is trying to create. You don’t want to blend in; you want to stand out in a positive way while also complementing the school’s canvas.

Here’s a simple, three-part framework that will help you think of diversity more broadly:

Who are you? What has contributed to your identity? How do you distinguish yourself? Your identity can include any of the following: gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, nontraditional work experience, nontraditional educational background, multicultural background, and family’s educational level.

What have you done? What have you accomplished? This could include any of the following: achievements inside and/or outside your field of study, leadership opportunities, community service, internship or professional experience, research opportunities, hobbies, and travel. Any or all of these could be unique. Also, what life-derailing, throw-you-for-a-loop challenges have you faced and overcome?

How do you think? How do you approach things? What drives you? What influences you? Are you the person who can break up a tense meeting with some well-timed humor? Are you the one who intuitively sees how to bring people together? 

Read more about this three-part framework in Episode 193 of Accepted’s Admissions Straight Talk podcast or listen wherever you get your favorite podcast s.

Think about each question within this framework and how you could apply your diversity elements to your target school’s classroom or community. Any of these elements can serve as the framework for your essay.

Don’t worry if you can’t think of something totally “out there.” You don’t need to be a tightrope walker living in the Andes or a Buddhist monk from Japan to be able to contribute to a school’s diversity!

And please remember, the examples we have offered here are not exhaustive. There are many other ways to show diversity!

All you need to do to be able to write successfully about how you will contribute to the diversity of your target school’s community is examine your identity, deeds, and ideas, with an eye toward your personal distinctiveness and individuality. There is only one  you .

Take a look at the sample diversity essay in the next section of this post, and pay attention to how the writer underscores their appreciation for, and experience with, diversity. 

A diversity essay sample

When I was starting 11th grade, my dad, an agricultural scientist, was assigned to a 3-month research project in a farm village in Niigata (northwest Honshu in Japan). Rather than stay behind with my mom and siblings, I begged to go with him. As a straight-A student, I convinced my parents and the principal that I could handle my schoolwork remotely (pre-COVID) for that stretch. It was time to leap beyond my comfortable suburban Wisconsin life—and my Western orientation, reinforced by travel to Europe the year before. 

We roomed in a sprawling farmhouse with a family participating in my dad’s study. I thought I’d experience an “English-free zone,” but the high school students all studied and wanted to practice English, so I did meet peers even though I didn’t attend their school. Of the many eye-opening, influential, cultural experiences, the one that resonates most powerfully to me is experiencing their community. It was a living, organic whole. Elementary school kids spent time helping with the rice harvest. People who foraged for seasonal wild edibles gave them to acquaintances throughout the town. In fact, there was a constant sharing of food among residents—garden veggies carried in straw baskets, fish or meat in coolers. The pharmacist would drive prescriptions to people who couldn’t easily get out—new mothers, the elderly—not as a business service but as a good neighbor. If rain suddenly threatened, neighbors would bring in each other’s drying laundry. When an empty-nest 50-year-old woman had to be hospitalized suddenly for a near-fatal snakebite, neighbors maintained her veggie patch until she returned. The community embodied constant awareness of others’ needs and circumstances. The community flowed!

Yet, people there lamented that this lifestyle was vanishing; more young people left than stayed or came. And it wasn’t idyllic: I heard about ubiquitous gossip, long-standing personal enmities, busybody-ness. But these very human foibles didn’t dam the flow. This dynamic community organism couldn’t have been more different from my suburban life back home, with its insular nuclear families. We nod hello to neighbors in passing. 

This wonderful experience contained a personal challenge. Blond and blue-eyed, I became “the other” for the first time. Except for my dad, I saw no Westerner there. Curious eyes followed me. Stepping into a market or walking down the street, I drew gazes. People swiftly looked away if they accidentally caught my eye. It was not at all hostile, I knew, but I felt like an object. I began making extra sure to appear “presentable” before going outside. The sense of being watched sometimes generated mild stress or resentment. Returning to my lovely tatami room, I would decompress, grateful to be alone. I realized this challenge was a minute fraction of what others experience in my own country. The toll that feeling—and being— “other” takes on non-white and visibly different people in the US can be extremely painful. Experiencing it firsthand, albeit briefly, benignly, and in relative comfort, I got it.

Unlike the organic Niigata community, work teams, and the workplace itself, have externally driven purposes. Within this different environment, I will strive to exemplify the ongoing mutual awareness that fueled the community life in Niigata. Does it benefit the bottom line, improve the results? I don’t know. But it helps me be the mature, engaged person I want to be, and to appreciate the individuals who are my colleagues and who comprise my professional community. I am now far more conscious of people feeling their “otherness”—even when it’s not in response to negative treatment, it can arise simply from awareness of being in some way different.

What did you think of this essay? Does this middle class Midwesterner have the unique experience of being different from the surrounding majority, something she had not experienced in the United States? Did she encounter diversity from the perspective of “the other”? 

Here a few things to note about why this diversity essay works so well:

1. The writer comes from “a comfortable, suburban, Wisconsin life,” suggesting that her background might not be ethnically, racially, or in any other way diverse.

2. The diversity “points” scored all come from her fascinating experience of having lived in a Japanese farm village, where she immersed herself in a totally different culture.

3. The lessons learned about the meaning of community are what broaden and deepen the writer’s perspective about life, about a purpose-driven life, and about the concept of “otherness.” 

By writing about a time when you experienced diversity in one of its many forms, you can write a memorable and meaningful diversity essay.

Working on your diversity essay?

Want to ensure that your application demonstrates the diversity that your dream school is seeking?  Work with one of our admissions experts . This checklist includes more than 30 different ways to think about diversity to jump-start your creative engine.

Dr. Sundas Ali has more than 15 years of experience teaching and advising students, providing career and admissions advice, reviewing applications, and conducting interviews for the University of Oxford’s undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, Sundas has worked with students from a wide range of countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, and the Middle East. Want Sundas to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! 

Related Resources:

• Different Dimensions of Diversity , podcast Episode 193
• What Should You Do If You Belong to an Overrepresented MBA Applicant Group?
• Fitting In & Standing Out: The Paradox at the Heart of Admissions , a free guide

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The Dos and Don’ts of a Law School Diversity Statement

Looking for ways to boost your law school admissions packet? I assure you you’re not alone. During the time I was applying to law school, this was something I was frantic about. My LSAT score wasn’t very high, so I became fixated on assembling an admissions packet that would hopefully be sufficient for the reviewer to simply overlook my score or at the very least not give it too much standing. I mean, a girl can dream right? Ultimately, however, I knew I needed to provide documentation that would support my score and somewhat provide an explanation for why it was so low. Thus I completed a LSAT Addendum and Diversity Statement as the emblems of support I would use to supplement my personal statement and boost my overall packet.

Today I want to speak about the diversity statement, a great option offered by most, if not all, law schools, but one not always taken or even recommended to be taken by diverse applicants. You see, a diversity statement isn’t meant for everyone. Not even someone who is a racial or ethnic minority. Simply having these characteristics by nature, aren’t sufficient if these characteristics haven’t shaped your worldview in some sense and impacted your desire to obtain a J.D. Additionally, even if you aren’t a racial or ethnic minority but you’ve experienced some adversity in life that would make you diverse, a diversity statement may not be the best option for you if you can’t show how you’ve overcome or you’re working to overcome this adversity and how your resilience would make you an exceptional candidate for the law school community. Writing a weak diversity statement could prematurely kick you out of the running, despite the fact that you have a strong personal statement or good LSAT score which could have been sufficient for your acceptance on their own. Therefore, before writing a diversity statement, reflect on whether this is a good option for you. Oh and be sure to check out the helpful tips below, complete with dos and don’ts in the event you land on taking this option.

What is a Diversity Statement?

A diversity statement is an essay which allows you to tell your story of:

• what makes you different from the majority of other law school applicants
• how this difference has shaped your worldview
• how you’ve worked or are working to overcome the adversity or limitations posed by these differences,
• why these differences have influenced your desire to obtain a JD, and
• how you will use your life lessons to positively impact the law school community and the broader local, national or international community when you become a lawyer.

Who should Write One?

A diversity statement is open for any applicant who is a racial or ethnic minority as well as any applicant regardless of race or ethnicity, who has experienced some adversity that would make them diverse. However, I would recommend only completing this statement if you can actually speak to how your diverse nature would fulfill the factors listed above. Don’t just write one for the sake of writing one or simply to fluff your admissions packet. It’s important that you write one with a purpose.

Now if you decide that you are a good candidate for a diversity statement, here are some helpful dos and don’ts to follow:

Do explain how your Diverse Background has Influenced your Desire to go to Law School.

Despite the prompt you receive for the statement, be sure to include how your diverse background has influenced your desire to go to your selected law school. Use this statement to specifically show how a JD will help you to further shape your life lessons and be a good influence in your law school community and the broader world. Don’t forget to speak to how your selected law school has either been a champion for diversity or is currently working towards that and speak to all the ways you can positively impact this value.

Be sure to be concise. Most diversity statements will offer a prompt of topics you can select to write on as well as a word limit. Be sure to actually follow the prompt selected and perhaps select one theme or one issue from your life story that falls within that prompt. Don’t use this as an opportunity to pile a long list of experiences into one. If you have several experiences that fall into one theme, then use that and make sure you cover the five factors listed above within the word limit. If no word limit is offered, 500 words is usually a good limit to follow.

Don’t Rewrite your Personal Statement.

Please don’t rewrite your personal statement . The diversity statement isn’t a space to simply extend your personal statement. Now there’s nothing wrong with telling a story that you may have opened the door to in your personal statement, but both pieces serve a different purpose, and, thus, they should be distinct.

Don’t simply Explain a Hardship Suffered without Explaining how it has Shaped you into an Exceptional Candidate.

Not to sound too harsh, but hardships are subjective. What is hard for one person could be a walk in the park for another. This by no means limits their importance in any way, but it’s likely that every applicant would have suffered some hardship throughout their life. Therefore, a good diversity statement is one in which a candidate doesn’t simply state their hardship, but shows how their life experiences may have shaped the way they define a hardship and the means through which they have worked to overcome it and will thus influence their community based on these lessons.

Looking for a good diversity statement example? Here, are two exceptional examples . One that served as a good application supplement for a student at Harvard and another for a student at California Western School of Law.

Concerned about your law school grades? Get the feedback and support you need to succeed.

Check out our law school tutoring options at the Law School Toolbox .

Get started, and ensure you’re spending your time wisely!

Got a question? Drop us a line . We’re here to help!

Christen Morgan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tampa where she received her B.S. in Criminology. She earned her J.D. from Emory Law School where she competed and served as an executive board member for the Emory Law Moot Court Society. Christen also served as a student representative for LexisNexis and also as a mentor for several 1L students offering them advice and a variety of resources to help them through their law school journey.

Christen previously practiced as a Foreclosure Attorney for a Real Estate law firm but has since then transitioned into a Real Estate Specialist role at a wireless infrastructure company.

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How to Write a Statement of Perspective/Diversity

Writing a statement of perspective and diversity is a lot like writing a personal statement. The stages include 1) brainstorming , 2) outlining (loosely or in detail), 3) drafting , and 4) revising .

Broadly speaking, your statement of perspective has two parts: your experience, and the insight you took from it.

Below are some more specific tips.

1. Don’t speak for your group; speak for yourself.

Being Mexican American is a valid starting point for a statement of perspective, but it’s not a specific topic. Don’t write about “the” Mexican American experience; write about your experience. The same goes for any essay about race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, etc.

If you faced adversity, write about it. But your statement of perspective doesn’t have to be an adversity statement. “ Majority Minority ” is a great example of an essay that decouples minority status from hardship.

2. Tell us what it’s about in the first paragraph.

Your first paragraph can be either anecdotal or direct. An anecdotal opening means that you tell a short story which pinpoints your experience. “Identity Carousel” begins this way:

Wrapping up the day’s math lesson, I asked the class if there were any questions. “Yea. Mr. Frank,” said a boy I’ll call Jeremy. “For real, why you always talk like the white people?”

The story encapsulates the narrator’s dilemma: some members of the black community see him as too white.

A direct intro entails a succinct statement in which you state your topic. “Homeschool” begins with a direct intro:

When I was fourteen years old, my mother gave me the choice of being homeschooled or attending a public high school. My older brother had shuddered at the thought of being associated with the stereotype of socially awkward, unfashionable “homeschool kids.” However, I saw the idea of spending my days at home as a challenge and an opportunity.

3. Make sure all the circumstances are clear.

In the first draft of “Taking Care Of My Sister,” the narrator tells us, “As the oldest sibling, I took on the parental role before my sister was a one-year-old.” But she doesn’t make it clear why she had to take on that role. In the final draft , she explains that her immigrant parents worked long hours in factories, leaving her in charge.

4. Try anchoring the story of your heritage or identity to a specific moment.

The writer of “Armenian Heritage,” for example, anchors the story of his heritage to a trip that he took to Baku during which he reconnected with his Armenian roots.

5. Back up your main assertions with specific details.

In the first draft of “ Homeschool ,” the narrator wrote, “Being entrusted to guide my own education gave me self-confidence and taught me to become more independent.” But she didn’t illustrate that point. By the last draft, she gave some examples: “I would work backwards, step by step, to find my mistake in a math equation or track down an explanation for a French grammar rule.”

6. State what you gained from your experience in the last or penultimate paragraph.

Two examples:

I learned how to be my own teacher and to identify my strengths and weaknesses. Homeschooling also helped me be creative and analytical in ways that a more traditional education might not have. -“Homeschool”

I attribute my success to the values my parents instilled by example: hard work and grit. -“Grit”

7. Keep it optimistic.

The first draft of “Rugby” ends: “Income invariably plays an insidious sinister role. It’s a damn shame.”

You too might believe that America is plagued with intractable problems, and you might be right. You may feel angry and combative, and you’re justified in feeling so. But your diversity statement is a place for optimism. Think Disney, not HBO: “I have a unique perspective,” not “I can see that this country is fucked.”

8. Look forward!

At the end of your statement of perspective, it’s a good idea to look forward and tell the admissions committee how your insights will shape your future. Admissions officers often look to a statement of perspective for another indication of what kind of voice you will be on campus, or how your experiences will shape your legal career. You don’t need to be ultra-specific and name affiliation groups you plan to join (though you can!), but you should give some indication of how your perspectives will influence your social/professional presence. 

You have more leeway on your statement of perspective than you do on your personal statement.

Three paragraphs is probably enough. You can write a longer essay if the school’s application permits you to. I’d encourage you to skew short, though. In most cases, your personal statement should remain the star of the show. A page or less double-spaced is often enough for a great statement of perspective.

Format your statement of perspective the same way you format your personal statement , but instead of “Personal Statement,” the last line of the header should use whatever term that school used on their application description, e.g., “Statement of Perspective” or “Optional Essay Two.” If the school doesn’t indicate a preferred term for the essay, you can go with the old tried-and-true “Diversity Statement.” 

Learn about our admissions consulting and editing services .

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