Writing The Optional Diversity Essay

As an adult, I feel I have mostly outgrown my ADHD. Sometimes, though, when I can feel myself growing irritable and my concentration starts to wane, I head straight for my piano. As I practice arpeggios and Beethoven’s ten sonatas, a wave of calm and cheerfulness engulfs me, my mind clears, and my breathing becomes relaxed and regular again. I know then that I am able to tackle any work I have in front of me. Whenever I need it, I have an arsenal—and a rainbow—of brilliant compositions at hand.
This essay is effective because in highlighting one of the candidate’s unique characteristics, it simultaneously demonstrates that she possesses confidence, willpower, and drive, in addition to a proven strategy for dealing with stress, which will no doubt serve her well in law school. She thereby impresses upon the admissions committee that she has the skills necessary to successfully deal with the challenges of earning a JD without ever having to state this directly.
Jeremy Shinewald is the founder of jdMission, an admissions consulting firm that helps applicants get into law school. This article is excerpted from his book, The Complete Start-To-Finish Law School Admissions Guide.
DON’T MISS: WRITING THE FREE-FORM PERSONAL STATEMENT or CRAFTING A WINNING PERSONAL STATEMENT