What is a Law School Diversity Statement, and Who Should Write One?
In recent years, diversity, equity, and inclusion have become increasingly important values in the legal profession, and law schools are no exception. Law schools are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community that reflects society's complex and varied nature. As a result, many law schools now offer the opportunity to submit a diversity statement as part of their admissions application.
But what exactly is a law school diversity statement, and who should write one? In this article, we will explore the purpose and content of a diversity statement, as well as the types of experiences and perspectives that can make a strong statement. We will also offer some tips on crafting a compelling diversity statement that highlights your unique contributions to the legal profession and the law school community.
Diversity Statement vs. Personal Statement
A diversity statement is a type of law school admissions essay that focuses on your unique background, experiences, and perspectives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The purpose of the statement is to provide admissions committees with a better understanding of how your diverse background will contribute to the law school community and the legal profession.
In a diversity statement, you may share experiences related to your race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or other aspects of your identity. However, your diversity statement can go beyond these topics. For example, if participating in a sport gave you a diverse perspective on life and the law, that is also “diversity” in this context.
The statement should not be a mere list of diverse traits or experiences but rather a cohesive narrative that highlights the ways in which your diverse background has influenced your perspectives, values, and goals.
On the other hand, a personal statement is a broad essay that allows you to introduce yourself to the admissions committee, showcase your strengths, and explain why you want to attend law school and what you intend to do with your degree. In a personal statement, you may discuss a range of topics, such as your academic background, work experience, extracurricular activities, and future career goals.
The personal statement gives you a chance to share your story and demonstrate your fit for law school. Another slight difference between a diversity statement and a personal statement is that the former is shorter than the latter, with roughly 1-1.25 pages double-spaced in 11pt standard font. (Make sure to follow the exact requirements each school gives you; this is a generalization!)
Talking Points
Since a diversity statement is about a page long, it's important you stick to the most important things, that is, your experience and the lessons you've learned from it. A diversity statement needs to be personal and unique to you. Speak about your personal experiences, and don't generalize
Being Black or from an immigrant family is a valid diversity factor. However, it is a very broad topic, and it is easy to get lost in the details. Instead of writing about the Black or immigrant experience, write about your personal and specific experience. If you've ever experienced discrimination or other forms of adversity based on your race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, write about it. (However, see here about avoiding centering your trauma in both your personal and diversity statements.)
It helps to write about how these experiences have shaped your story. A diversity statement about race, gender, or disability can easily tank if you fail to connect it to how it has contributed to or impacted your diverse way of thinking.
A Diversity Statement Is Not for Everyone
Many applicants make the mistake of thinking that writing a diversity statement will boost their chances of getting accepted because law schools are looking for diversity. However, a poorly written diversity statement can backfire and may seem insensitive in some aspects.
A diversity statement isn't the place to explain why you want to go to law school, rather it should offer a glimpse into how the adversities you've faced in life have made you who you are. It's not an opportunity to detail your family history or genetics. It is only intended to help you detail the challenges you've faced because of your background.
Additionally, just because you can doesn't mean you should. The essay needs to complement your personal statement with more context, not repeat it. Your personal and diversity statements shouldn't mirror one another. Rather, this is a space to continue building on your story and show admissions another piece of your story.
For instance, if you are a Muslim woman and intend to devote your legal career to advocating for other Muslim women's rights, this may be an excellent topic for your personal statement. You may not need to repeat it in your diversity statement since the reader already knows about your background.
However, if you're a Muslim woman but are interested only in corporate law for unrelated reasons (outlined in your personal statement), a diversity statement will allow you to discuss both your heritage and your goals without having to decide between the two.
Final Thoughts
Law school admissions committees review your application holistically, which is why your diversity and personal statement are where your personality needs to shine. These essays allow the school to know you beyond your numerical achievements, such as LSAT and GPA. Before beginning your application, check with the schools to ensure they allow a diversity statement and read through the instructions to understand what is expected.
The team at Barrier Breakers® Admissions Advising is here to support you through this law school application cycle! Whether it's through discounted advising for BIPOC, first-generation, and LSAC Fee Waiver applicants, our essay review services and courses, or just downloading our free Essential Guide to Applying to Law School, we're here to help make this process easier.
As always, feel free to reach out to us at hello@barrier-breakers.org with any of your questions! You can also submit a question to be answered on our weekly Break Into Law School® Podcast, streaming wherever your favorite podcast service is.