Diversity Essay Topics

Hi everyone! I’m struggling to pick the topic I should write about for the standard ‘diversity’ essay. I’m between a “safe” option that may sound cliché or something that’s unique, but a little bit riskier? I’d really appreciate any feedback. My first option, talking about growing in a.

diversity essay

Hi all, I’m debating on whether to mention in secondary essays that my father is from South Africa. He immigrated here in the 80s, and his nationality is part of my culture; I grew up eating babotie and South African pancakes and other foods, taking part in some traditions, and learning some.

• verdant23
• Thread
• Aug 26, 2023
• diversityessay secondaries secondaries tips
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity Essay Ideas

So I have four ideas with which to write my diversity essay. I can’t seem to decide which one sounds to best: 1) My parents were hesitant towards modern medicine for cultural reasons, and I was treated with homeopathy for post-operative care as a child until we went back to a physician. I need.

• Accelerator
• Thread
• Jun 28, 2023
• diversitydiversityessayessayessay help secondary secondary applications secondary essay
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity Essay Ideas

I have three ideas for the diversity secondary essay prompt, and I can’t decide on which one to run with: 1. I moved from Korea when I was 11 to a Deep South state and lived in a mostly white suburban area, with almost no other Korean families. The sudden shift from a ethnically homogeneous.

• premed_applicant
• Thread
• Jun 25, 2023
• amcas application help application 2023 computer science diversityessay immigrant medical school application medical school application help secondaries
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Which diversity essay topic is better?

Hello SDN! Thanks in advance for your help. I’m debating between a few topics for my diversity essay. For context, I am a non-Hispanic white woman. edit: removed identifying information, thank you!

• Snaille
• Thread
• May 9, 2023
• diversitydiversityessayessay help secondaries
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity Essay Topic Help

Hello everyone. I’m sorry to create another diversity essay help thread but I’m truly at a loss for what to write about for “what diversity do you bring to the class” type prompt. I’m about one of the most basic applicants there is so finding what is diverse about me has proved very.

• gosox1
• Thread
• May 5, 2022
• diversitydiversityessayessay help essay topic
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Feedback on Diversity Question

Hi all, I have had some trouble with my diversity prompt for many schools. I would appreciate some feedback regarding this topic. To describe my childhood, Parents immigrated when they were post-grad, had nothing but two bags. Used to have me on food stamps till elementary but now we are upper.

• sonder88
• Thread
• Aug 15, 2021
• diversitydiversityessay secondary
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity topic advice

Hi all, I got some feedback on my diversity essay and now I am really stuck. I wrote my essay about cooking (a huge passion of mine) and how I assumed the role of family chef, especially during a particularly difficult time for my family. I also try to mention how its helped me build.

• greensam
• Thread
• Jul 11, 2021
• diversitydiversityessay
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Yet another “diversity” question

Hi friends! Disclaimer: I’ve changed up what lies below because it used to be (mildly) personally identifying information. In conjunction with the rest of my posts it could’ve been used to figure out who I am, so I’ve censored it. I’m going through secondaries from a set of schools that ask.

• burrito_32
• Thread
• Aug 27, 2020
• diversitydiversityessay secondaries
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Another diversity statement?

I’ve been reading through some past threads for advice on writing the diversity statement since I’m struggling with it. The advice I’ve curated boils down to diversity doesn’t necessarily mean talking about ethnicity or race for example. It can also focus on what unique qualities or experiences.

• llmmii
• Thread
• Jul 18, 2020
• diversitydiversityessay
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity and Adversity Secondary Essays – Help!

Diversity What is everyone’s opinion on writing about an anecdotal experience for secondary essays? For this diversity essay in particular, I am an ORM, so wanted to write about my experience caring for a resident of mine at a nursing home who does not speak english, and what I learned from.

• SpartanDawg_4
• Thread
• Jul 2, 2020
• adversity essaydiversityessay secondary application
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

If you were/are an adcom, which diversity essay topic would you want to read the most about?

• sadgeboi
• Thread
• May 25, 2020
• diversityessay secondary
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Feedback on diversity essay topic?

Hi everyone! I’m struggling to pick the topic I should write about for the standard ‘diversity’ essay. I’m between a “safe” option that may sound cliché or something that’s unique, but a little bit riskier? I’d really appreciate any feedback. My first option, talking about growing in a.

• sputniksweetheart
• Thread
• May 11, 2020
• diversitydiversityessay secondaries
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Appropriate Diversity Topic?

Hi all, I’ve really appreciated the feedback I’ve received from this community thus far, and I was hoping for insight once again. I’m struggling to figure out whether my diversity essay topic is appropriate. It seems more interesting than talking about my time being a high school oboist or.

• deleted924800
• Thread
• Apr 27, 2020
• diversitydiversityessay secondaries
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Help with my diversity essay!! PLEASE IM DESPERATE AND OUT OF IDEAS

Hello! I am new to posting on sdn but have been browsing forums throughout this whole application process. I am almost done all of my secondaries but have been struggling with the basic diversity essay. I completed undergrad in the US but I am not a US resident/citizen and are planning to do med.

• curtis10
• Thread
• Sep 5, 2019
• desperate diversitydiversityessayessay help secondaries secondaries tips
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Example of contributing to diversity.

I am currently working on the secondary for UMass and they threw an odd curveball asking for a concrete example when you had contributed to the diversity of a group. I am having trouble understanding what that really entails and would appreciate any pointers or tips to things I can talk about?

• vi0linm0nster
• Thread
• Aug 2, 2019
• diversitydiversityessay secondaries tips
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity topic?

Hi all, Would either of these topics be good for diversity secondaries? My background- grew up in a well-off Asian family in a rural New england community. 1. Talk about rural upbringing and attending schools where the majority came from poverty-ridden families (ie greater awareness of the.

• medlife52525
• Thread
• Jun 24, 2019
• adcom disease diversitydiversityessay poverty rural
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Appropriate topic for diversity secondary?

Hi all- I’m from a rural community in the Northeast. (meaning rural, but not to the extreme of locations in the midwest per se). This was my idea for a diversity secondary and I would appreciate any feedback: -I want to talk about coming from a rural area and a public school system where.

• medlife52525
• Thread
• Jun 16, 2019
• adcom amcas diversityessay high school education rural
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity Question.

Hello guys! I’m currently preparing for post-bacc and not sure what to write for the diversity question. Now, I can think of two options. 1. Typical immigrant story grew in single-culture Asian country -> moved to a rural city in America, experienced ignorant sentiments, practiced my.

• LTMM
• Thread
• Apr 15, 2019
• adversity essaydiversityessay secondary application
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Medical What Is the Diversity Essay Question and How Do You Answer It?

What is the diversity question in a school application, and more importantly, why does it matter when applying to leading programs and universities? Many applications now include a question – sometimes optional – that encourages applicants with minority backgrounds, unusual education.

• LindaAccepted
• Thread
• Nov 20, 2018
• application essays diversitydiversityessay statement of disadvantage statement of purpose writing tips
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Accepted.com

overwhelmed with secondaries.. need advice

Hello all! I am currently very overwhelmed with secondaries as I feel like I have no idea what to write about. That’s why I came here to get your advice on some secondary essay prompts. Challenge essays: when I was little, we won the green card lottery. Thus, my dad moved to the US when I was.

• she-doctorwannabe
• Thread
• Aug 22, 2018
• challenge essaydiversityessay need advice secondaries
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Just Another Diversity Essay Thread.

Hello lovely people of SDN. I am sorry to subject you to another query about the diversity essay, but alas, here I am. I’m really struggling with this one, despite taking @Goro ‘s advice of determining what’s “cool” about me. I feel that many of my interests and endeavors have been pretty.

• boundlesscorpuscle
• Thread
• Aug 20, 2018
• diversitydiversityessay secondaries
• Replies: 19
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity Essay Opinions? Racing vs. Robotic surgery?

For the diversity essays i was initially going to talk about being a Persian immigrant and so on but I realized that that’s not what really makes me unique and will probably bore the admissions person so I’m stuck between these two: 1 – throughout my college years I found that racing cars was.

• sherer1
• Thread
• Jul 17, 2018
• diversitydiversityessay medical admissions medical school secondaries
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity Essay

• Mountaindoctor1
• Thread
• Jul 17, 2018
• adversity essaydiversityessay
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity secondary concern- too arrogant or elitist?

Hey everyone — long time lurker and now posting for the first time! For my diversity secondary, I’m going with sort of a “diversity of mindset” approach: I’m talking about how I have a passion for developing medical technologies and other innovations to push science forward. I talk about how my.

• slapmypanda
• Thread
• Jul 2, 2018
• diversitydiversityessay med application premed secondary secondary application
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Help with diversity essays topic

Wondering what people’s thoughts were on non cultural/ethnic topics for diversity essays. I’m a white middle class male and not 1st generation college, so I’ve been struggling a bit on coming up with a diversity topic. A recent idea that has come to mind is talking about the combination of.

• Espressoshot436
• Thread
• Jun 24, 2018
• diversityessay
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Medical Writing the Diversity Personal Statement

One of the many challenges of applying to college or graduate school is showing the admissions committee how you’ll fit in and stand out. Adcoms are trying to build student bodies that will work cohesively towards shared goals and ideals, but that come from different backgrounds and with.

• LindaAccepted
• Thread
• Feb 25, 2018
• diversityessayessay writing
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Accepted.com

Diversity Essay help!

Hi So I am preparing for my university’s application for a committee letter. And one of the essay prompts is the diversity essay question. I’m really struggling on deciding on what to write with out sounding cliche. Everyone I have talked to so far says “talk about being an African American.

• Sadlyanon
• Thread
• Jan 29, 2018
• diveristy diversityessay
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Medical Encore: Different Dimensions of Diversity [Episode 221]

Tune in for an encore of one of our most popular 2017 podcast episodes, where Linda Abraham addresses one of the the most pressing topics on applicants’ minds: how to properly approach the diversity question. Listen in as Linda answers your diversity-in-admissions questions, including: 1. Why.

• LindaAccepted
• Thread
• Sep 14, 2017
• diversityessay
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Accepted.com

Diversity statement advice

Yes, another thread asking for advice about what to write for those secondary diversity essays. In terms of demographics, I’m nothing special (22, white, female, middle class, parents still married, grew up in suburbia). I’ve brainstormed a few topics, but I’m not feeling too compelled about.

• Unsure0123
• Thread
• Aug 25, 2017
• diversitydiversityessayessay help med school pre med pre-med secondaries secondary application secondary application tips
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity: cultural competency, communication, family?

Should I talk about my cultural competency and family like this in my secondaries about diversity? Am I answering the question convincingly? @Goro has said that the goal of diversity is to write about what makes you cool, unique, different, not necessarily about your socioeconomic background.

• Prometheus123
• Thread
• Aug 12, 2017
• amcas 2018 diversitydiversityessay secondaries
• Replies: 43
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity help

Hi, Sorry for beating a dead horse–seen plenty of posts regarding the “diversity question” but I find myself coming up short. Here are my ideas–I was wondering if someone could tell me if they’re crazy or work at all. (Btw am 22 year old white female, grad 2016, just completed “service year”).

• needmuchohelpporfavor
• Thread
• Aug 10, 2017
• diversityessay secondaries
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Using “many technical hobbies” as a diversity essay topic?

I am a fairly generic white guy, but am considering writing my diversity essay on how I have more hobbies than normal and like to teach people about them. heres a quick idea of what I am getting at. My ability to enrich fellow UPSOM members will be through my interest in sharing my wide.

• rurmann
• Thread
• Jul 19, 2017
• diversityessay help secondary essay
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Another dang diversity essay question, LGBT

Hey all. I’ve been getting started on my secondaries and we all know the famous “diversity question”. Wondering if anyone can give insight about how wise it would be to talk about the intricacies of growing up a gay guy in a family with strong religious and eastern asian cultural values? Could.

• hypophora
• Thread
• Jul 10, 2017
• diversityessay lgbt secondaries
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Diversity Essay

Would anyone mind reading over my diversity essay? It’s pretty short but I’m worried it may sound too cliche. If willing, PM me

• uncmedhopefulmaybe
• Thread
• Jun 23, 2017
• diversitydiversityessay edit
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Re-Applicants

Diversity Secondary Essay Review Request

I was wondering if any of you all would mind looking over my diversity essay and letting me know what you think. Diversity questions always give me the most trouble so I would love to hear any feedback. PM me. thanks.

• uncmedhopefulmaybe
• Thread
• Jun 22, 2017
• diversitydiversityessay edit review secondary
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Medical Your Past Doesn’t Define You [Episode 209]

Today’s one of those shows where I’m going to be the sole presenter. I actually started preparing this show during the World Series way back in October. Yes, folks, after 108 years of losing, the Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series. At the same time, we were working (and have worked in.

• LindaAccepted
• Thread
• Jun 11, 2017
• diversitydiversityessay
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Accepted.com

Thoughts on Diversity Essay for Secondary Applications?

Hello everyone, I am a new member to SDN and this is my first post! Its so exciting! Anyways, I applied for 2018 cycle (M.D.). I need some ideas about what to write for my diversity essay. I am an American citizen (my dad is from California) who was born and raised outside of US. I came to US.

• coollime21
• Thread
• Jun 4, 2017
• diversityessay pre-medical questions secondary app tips
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

Medical Approaching The Diversity Essay Question

Many applications now have a question, sometimes optional, geared to encouraging people with minority backgrounds or unusual educational or family histories to write about their background. How Are YOU Diverse? First the easy answer: If you are an immigrant to the US, the child of immigrants.

• LindaAccepted
• Thread
• Apr 2, 2017
• diversitydiversityessay
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Accepted.com

Medical Different Dimensions of Diversity [Episode 193]

In reviewing our stats for last year, I noticed that one of our most visited pages is an article on writing about diversity. That’s not shocking since Accepted’s consultants are frequently asked by stressed, panicked clients from well-represented groups in the applicant pool, “How can I answer.

• LindaAccepted
• Thread
• Feb 15, 2017
• diversitydiversityessay
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Accepted.com

PhD/PsyD PhD/PsyD App Requesting Diversity Statement?

Hi, Everyone The diversity committee in my department would like to give future doctoral applicants the opportunity to comment on their contributions to diversity. We would like to update next year’s grad app to include a. an optional, supplemental diversity statement; OR b. an option to.

• procrastin8r
• Thread
• Feb 7, 2017
• application diversitydiversityessay personal statement
• Replies: 90
• Forum: Psychology [Psy.D. / Ph.D.]

The Diversity College Essay: How to Write a Stellar Essay

The Diversity Essay exists because colleges want a student body that includes different ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, backgrounds, interests, and so on. The essay asks students to illuminate what sets them apart so that admissions committees can see what kind of diverse views and opinions they can bring to the campus.

In this post, we’ll be going over what exactly a diversity essay is, examples of real prompts and essays, and tips for writing a standout essay. You’ll be well prepared to answer this common essay prompt after reading this post!

What’s Covered in a Diversity Essay?

Upon hearing the word diversity, many people assume that they have to write about gender and sexuality, class, or race. To many, this can feel overly personal or forced, or can cause students to worry that their identity isn’t unique or interesting enough. In reality, the diversity essay is much broader than many people realize.

Identity means different things to different people, and the important thing is that you demonstrate your uniqueness and what’s important to you. You might write about one of the classic, traditional identity features mentioned above, but you also could consider writing about a more unusual feature of yourself or your life—or even the intersection of two or more identities.

Consider these questions as you think about what to include in your diversity essay:

• Do you have a unique or unusual talent or skill? For example, you might be a person with perfect pitch, or one with a very accurate innate sense of direction.
• Do you have beliefs or values that are markedly different from the beliefs or values of those around you? Perhaps you hold a particular passion for scientific curiosity or truthfulness, even when it’s inconvenient.
• Do you have a hobby or interest that sets you apart from your peers? Maybe you’re an avid birder, or perhaps you love to watch old horror movies.
• Have you done or experienced something that few people have? Note that if you choose to write about a single event as a diverse identity feature, that event should have had a pretty substantial impact on you and your life. Perhaps you’re part of the 0.2% of the world that has run a marathon, or you’ve had the chance to watch wolves hunt in the wild.
• Do you have a role in life that gives you a special outlook on the world? Maybe one of your siblings has a rare disability, or you grew up in a town of less than 500 people.

Of course, if you would rather write about a more classic identity feature, you absolutely should! These questions are intended to help you brainstorm and get you thinking creatively about this prompt. You don’t need to dig deep for an extremely unusual diverse facet of yourself or your personality. If writing about something like ability, ethnicity, or gender feels more representative of your life experience, that can be an equally strong choice!

You should think expansively about your options and about what really demonstrates your individuality, but the most important thing is to be authentic and choose a topic that is truly meaningful to you.

What Is a Diversity Essay?

Diversity essay prompts come up in both personal statements and supplemental essays. As with all college essays, the purpose of any prompt is to better understand who you are and what you care about. Your essays are your chance to share your voice and humanize your application. This is especially true for the diversity essay, which aims to understand your unique perspectives and experiences, as well as the ways in which you might contribute to a college community.

It’s worth noting that diversity essays are used in all kinds of selection processes beyond undergrad admissions—they’re seen in everything from graduate admissions to scholarship opportunities. You may very well need to write another diversity essay later in life, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with this essay archetype now.

If you’re not sure whether your prompt is best answered by a diversity essay, consider checking out our posts on other essay archetypes, like “Why This College?” , “Why This Major?” , and the Extracurricular Activity Essay .

Examples of the Diversity Essay Prompt

The best-known diversity essay prompt is from the Common App . The first prompt states:

“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

Some schools also have individual diversity essay prompts. For example, here’s one from Duke University :

“We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.” (250 words)

And here’s one from Rice :

“Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?” (500 words)

In all instances, colleges want you to demonstrate how and what you’ll contribute to their communities.

How to Write the Diversity College Essay After the End of Affirmative Action

In June 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the use of affirmative action in college admissions, meaning that colleges are no longer able to directly factor race into admissions decisions. Despite this ruling, you can still discuss your racial or ethnic background in your Common App or supplemental essays.

If your race or ethnic heritage is important to you, we strongly recommend writing about it in one of your essays, as this is now one of the only ways that admissions committees are able to consider it as a factor in your admission.

Many universities still want to hear about your racial background and how it has impacted you, so you are likely to see diversity essays show up more frequently as part of supplemental essay packets. Remember, if you are seeing this kind of prompt, it’s because colleges care about your unique identity and life experience, and believe that these constitute an important part of viewing your application holistically. To learn more about how the end of affirmative action is impacting college admissions, check out our post for more details .

Tips for Writing a Diversity College Essay

1. Highlight what makes you stand out.

A common misconception is that diversity only refers to aspects—such as ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. While these are standard measures of diversity, you can be diverse in other ways. These ways includes (but aren’t limited to) your:

• Interests, hobbies, and talents
• Perspectives, values, and opinions
• Experiences
• Languages
• Family
• Personality traits

Ask yourself which aspects of your identity are most central to who you are. Are these aspects properly showcased in other portions of your application? Do you have any interests, experiences, or traits you want to highlight?

For instance, maybe you’re passionate about reducing food waste. You might love hiking and the outdoors. Or, maybe you’re a talented self-taught barber who’s given hundreds of free haircuts in exchange for donations to charity.

The topic of your essay doesn’t have to be crazy or even especially unique. You just want to highlight whatever is important to you, and how this thing shapes who you are. You might still want to write about a more common aspect of identity. If so, there are strong ways to do so.

If you do choose to write about a more common trait (for example, maybe your love of running), do so in a way that tells your story. Don’t just write an ode to running and how it’s stress-relieving and pushes you past your limits. Share your journey with us⁠—for instance, maybe you used to hate it, but you changed your mind one day and eventually trained to run a half marathon. Or, take us through your thought process during a race. The topic in itself is important, but how you write about it is even more important.

2. Share an anecdote.

One easy way to make your essay more engaging is to share a relevant and related story. The beginning of your essay is a great place for that, as it draws the reader in immediately. For instance, the following student chose to write about their Jewish identity, and opened the essay with a vivid experience of being discriminated against:

“I was thirsty. In my wallet was a lone $10 bill, ultimately useless at my school’s vending machine. Tasked with scrounging together the $1 cost of a water bottle, I fished out and arranged the spare change that normally hid at the bottom of my backpack in neat piles of nickels and dimes on my desk. I swept them into a spare Ziploc and began to leave when a classmate snatched the bag and held it above my head.

“Want your money back, Jew?” she chanted, waving the coins around. I had forgotten the Star-of-David around my neck, but quickly realized she must have seen it and connected it to the stacks of coins. I am no stranger to experiencing and confronting antisemitism, but I had never been targeted in my school before.”

An anecdote allows readers to experience what you’re describing, and to feel as if they’re there with you. This can ultimately help readers better relate to you.

Brainstorm some real-life stories relevant to the trait you want to feature. Possibilities include: a meaningful interaction, achieving a goal, a conflict, a time you felt proud of the trait (or ashamed of it), or the most memorable experience related to the trait. Your story could even be something as simple as describing your mental and emotional state while you’re doing a certain activity.

Whatever you decide on, consider sharing that moment in media res , or “in the middle of things.” Take us directly to the action in your story so we can experience it with you.

3. Show, don’t tell.

If you simply state what makes you diverse, it’s really easy for your essay to end up sounding bland. The writer of the previous essay example could’ve simply stated “I’m Jewish and I’ve had to face antisemitism.” This is a broad statement that doesn’t highlight their unique personal experiences. It doesn’t have the same emotional impact.

Instead, the writer illustrated an actual instance where they experienced antisemitism, which made the essay more vivid and easier to relate to. Even if we’re not Jewish ourselves, we can feel the anger and pain of being taunted for our background. This story is also unique to the writer’s life⁠—while others may have experienced discrimination, no one else will have had the exact same encounter.

As you’re writing, constantly evaluate whether or not you’re sharing a unique perspective. If what you write could’ve been written by someone else with a similar background or interest, you need to get more granular. Your personal experiences are what will make your essay unique, so share those with your reader.

4. Discuss how your diversity shapes your outlook and actions.

It’s important to describe not only what your unique traits and experiences are, but also how they shape who you are. You don’t have to explicitly say “this is how X trait impacts me” (you actually shouldn’t, as that would be telling instead of showing). Instead, you can reveal the impact of your diversity through the details you share.

Maybe playing guitar taught you the importance of consistent effort. Show us this through a story of how you tackled an extremely difficult piece you weren’t sure you could handle. Show us the calluses on your fingers, the knit brows as you tinkered with the chords, the countless lessons with your teacher. Show us your elation as you finally performed the piece.

Remember that colleges learn not just about who you are, but also about what you might contribute to their community. Take your essay one step farther and show admissions officers how your diversity impacts the way you approach your life.

Where to Get Your Diversity Essay Edited

Do you want feedback on your diversity essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!