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The diversity statement is an important part of the application process. There are many things to consider and keep in mind when thinking about how to write a diversity statement as a part of your grad school admissions process. At first, it may seem overwhelming, but in actuality, a diversity statement writing is really just another opportunity to showcase to admissions officers who you are as an applicant as well as what you can bring to the university. With that in mind, here are some guidelines for how to begin the diversity statement writing process to determine what kinds of things should be included in your diversity statement as you work on your application.
Table of Contents:
How To Start Your Brainstorm When Writing a Diversity Statement:
- Where did you grow up?
- Maybe you’ve lived in the same place your entire life up until this point, or maybe you grew up in a lot of different places, moving around with your family. The experiences we have growing up shape who we are and who we become. With that in mind, consider what your unique and personal experiences were growing up. Whether you grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone or a racially diverse, thriving metropolitan area, these experiences are potentially worth including in a personal diversity statement for college.
- What are some of the unique experiences or opportunities you have had?
- Maybe you’ve traveled all around the world. Maybe you’ve never left the state where you were born. No two peoples’ journeys are the same, and so it contributes to your unique perspective. This is also a great opportunity to brainstorm about extracurricular experiences, research experiences, and work experiences that have opened your mind to new ideas or introduced new aspects of the world to you for inclusion in your grad school diversity statement.
- Where have you had opportunities to experience diverse groups of people?
- Brainstorm where and when you have been able to be around people who are different from you. Remember, diversity can mean racial diversity, gender diversity, age diversity, and more. Some people have a great deal of diversity within their own families. Others may have been exposed to people who are different from they are much later in life. You may face diversity in education, and diversity in college. All of these things contribute to who you are and why you are a unique applicant, so it’s worth thinking outside the box to what your own experience has been as you brainstorm for your graduate school diversity statement writing.
- What have you been exposed to that has shaped your world view?
- Diversity of ideas is very important and can open our minds to new ways of life and new dreams and aspirations—even new things we may want to study at the graduate or undergraduate levels! Where have you had the opportunity to expand your mind? Who has helped expand it? Are there specific places you’ve been that have allowed opportunity to really think in a new and different way? These are areas that can help you in writing a diversity statement for graduate school.
What is a Diversity Statement?
Now that you’ve started the process of brainstorming what might be included in your diversity statement for your application, you may be wondering, “What is a diversity statement for graduate school, exactly?” It’s exactly what it sounds like—a statement of diversity experiences that you have had. Sometimes people write diversity statements for grad school applications that are focused on what they think that grad school admissions officers want to hear, and so they try to shoehorn in “diverse” experiences into their applications that are marginal or not vital components of their life experiences. Diversity can include a lot of things, whether that is a diversity of people, diversity of thought, diversity of opportunity, diversity in college or more. The most important thing when writing a diversity statement for graduate school is to make sure that your experiences are truthful, relevant, and important to who you are. This is where examining diversity statement examples can be invaluable.
Below are some topics from our EssayEdge editors that can help you understand how to write diversity statement as a part of your grad school application process, or even undergraduate application:
- Information about your personal background
- The diversity statement writing should focus on not just where you come from, but what is your personal background has contributed to your view of the world. Your grad school diversity essay can be focused on your life itself as opposed to your academic experiences.
- Details about your academic background and experiences
- If this is a diversity statement writing for a graduate application, this is a great opportunity to talk about how your undergrad experiences have shaped your views. If this happens to be a part of an undergraduate application, your high school experiences are relevant. Ultimately, the courses you took, the programs you studied in, and the environment of your school itself can all be very relevant for a personal diversity statement.
- Information about your identity
- In your personal statement in this moment in time, in particular, you should feel free to articulate how you self-identify if that feels relevant here and feels like it contributes to the way you experience the world. Whether it’s your racial identity, your gender identity, or something else, your identity impacts how you experience the world and how you see, interact with, and shape the world around you, which is all extremely relevant to a diversity essay for grad school.
- Information about how you have interacted with your surroundings
- Perhaps you’ve had difficulty interacting with certain environments and you’ve learned how to manage that. Perhaps navigating certain circumstances comes naturally to you. Including this information in your diversity statement will help admissions committees have a better understanding of how you can fit into and have a positive impact on a university’s community, which is the goal of the grad school diversity statement.
- Anything that has contributed to or impacted your perspective on the world, on life, or on the grad program you are applying for
- Perhaps you have a unique reason from your own life for why you are choosing to pursue the graduate program you’re pursuing. The diversity statement as a part of your grad school application essay would be an opportunity to share this kind of information. Make sure to include relevant diversity statement examples to illustrate your points effectively.
Crafting Your Diversity Statement: Tips and Examples
When you’re getting ready to write your diversity statement, it’s crucial to grasp its purpose. This statement is your chance to showcase your unique experiences and share your commitment to fostering diversity. Here are some helpful diversity essay tips and a few diversity statement examples to guide you through the process.
1. Understand the Purpose
Your diversity statement isn’t just a formality; it’s an opportunity to explain how your background and perspectives will contribute to the academic community. Admissions committees are eager to see how you’ve engaged with diverse groups and how your insights can enhance the campus environment. Think of it as part of a broader statement of purpose that outlines your academic goals and your dedication to diversity.
2. Reflect on Unique Experiences
Take some time to think about key moments in your life that have shaped your understanding of diversity. This could include challenges you’ve faced or enriching cultural experiences. Make sure to include diversity statement examples that illustrate these points. For instance, maybe you volunteered with underrepresented groups, and that experience opened your eyes in new ways.
3. Be Authentic and Specific
Authenticity matters. Use specific stories instead of vague generalizations to make your statement more engaging and clear. When discussing diversity in applications, try to connect your personal experiences to broader themes, like social justice or community engagement.
4. Incorporate Diversity Essay Tips
Here are a few diversity essay tips to keep in mind:
- Be concise: Stick to the word limit and ensure every sentence counts.
- Use clear language: Avoid jargon; opt for straightforward expressions.
- Seek feedback: Share your draft with peers or mentors to gain new perspectives.
5. Connect to Broader Themes
It’s helpful to link your experiences to larger themes in diversity, such as diversity in education. Think about how these themes relate to your academic interests and future goals. Framing your personal experiences within this context creates a powerful narrative about your commitment to diversity.
In summary, a well-crafted diversity statement can effectively showcase your journey while articulating how you plan to contribute to a diverse academic community. By following these tips and using relevant diversity statement examples, you can create a statement that truly resonates with admissions committees and strengthens your overall application.
Diversity Statement Guide: Summary
In conclusion, the academic diversity statement is a great opportunity to really showcase who you are and make your application essay for admission really stand out. While sometimes the diversity statement writing is not required in an application—it can sometimes be listed as optional—it is a unique component of your graduate school application, as long as you use it as an opportunity to talk about who you really are and how your experiences so far have impacted your view of the world. Ultimately, you want to use your grad school personal diversity statement to talk about new experiences and things that aren’t necessarily a part of your application elsewhere, or, if they are, the diversity essay is a chance to provide a new perspective on it where the admissions committee can see your experiences and who you are through a different lens.
When considering your diversity in applications, remember to connect your experiences to the broader context of diversity in education. This connection can enhance your statement.The diversity statement is an important part of your graduate admissions process and can really help your application stand out.
An admission essay is the biggest fear of any applicant, just as a statement of purpose until they know about a diversity essay. Utilizing diversity essay tips can help you navigate this process with confidence. This diversity statement guide tried to answer all the questions one can face when writing. A proper approach to brainstorming and writing will lead you to success. If you want to play if safe, place an order on our graduate school essay editing service, and we’ll review your draft.
