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Diversity statements are a common optional essay that applicants are encouraged to submit as a part of their law school application. We highly encourage students to consider submitting a diversity statement if appropriate.
Diversity Statement Dos:
Do Understand Diversity Broadly: Diversity includes any element of your identity, circumstances, or experiences that you believe may give you a diverse perspective from fellow classmates or a different lens through which you view the world. Relevant types of diversity may include (but are not limited to) race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religious identification, sexual orientation, military experience, single parenting, nontraditional age, underrepresented major (e.g., STEM majors), or first-generation student status.
Do Reflect on Your Diversity: It is not enough to simply identify how you will contribute to the diversity of the incoming class and the legal profession, you must reflect on how you have been impacted by that diversity and why it matters or will give you a unique perspective that will improve the legal profession or your law school class.
Do Take it Seriously: Your diversity statement will generally be shorter than your personal statement, but it should still go through the same type of robust drafting and editing process -- you want to put your best writing samples forward, so don’t treat it as an afterthought!
Resources:
Diversity Statement Resource Guide (Washington College of Law)
The Dos and Don’ts of a Law School Diversity Statement (The Girl’s Guide to Law School)
See 2 Successful Diversity Statements (US News)
