Diversity is something, which law schools appreciate. After all, the legal profession as a whole is not representative of the diversity of the U.S. Many areas of law require attorneys that speak other languages and who can relate to clients through a shared experience, language, or culture. Having diverse individuals in the classroom also makes for a more interesting law school experience because new issues are raised and explored and new perspectives are gained through this process.

Many law schools give you the opportunity to share how you will lend a diverse perspective to the incoming class through something called a “diversity statement.” This is pretty open-ended, and often people come to us with questions about whether their parents being immigrants, or their religious background, or race qualify them as diverse. Law School Expert can help you determine whether it would benefit you to write this essay and how to approach it. Common topics include socio-economic disadvantage, race, religion, sexual orientation, overcoming a hardship such as a disability, or being the first in your family to attend college. Being financially self-reliant, overcoming abuse or assault, serving in the military, growing up overseas, and being multi-lingual can also be the basis for a compelling diversity statement.

Ann helps people approach the diversity statement in a way that bolsters – rather than overlaps with – the personal statement. For some candidates, the approach is rather straightforward and factual, and for others the diversity statement is more of a narrative and coming of age story. One rule that Ann utilizes when helping a law school applicant decide whether to write a diversity statement is whether it feels like a stretch. If the written product is more about a grandparent than about the applicant, that can mean that the diversity statement would not be a meaningful addition to a candidate’s law school application.

“Every piece of an application should add something compelling; if the personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation are all strong, the diversity statement cannot be a mediocre reach.” Says Ann Levine. “Not everyone can pull off a diversity statement, but sometimes my clients are surprised when I suggest one because they assume their life story would be boring. Learning my clients’ stories and helping them to share these stories effectively is my favorite part of my job.”