Diversity Essay help!

[Sadlyanon]

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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 female” but I have seen SDN users say being black itself is not “diverse”, but the experiences are. I am also a lesbian but I also feel like this is an answer that may be getting played out because more and more people are coming out lol. I want something that could make my application unique and stand out from others. Anyway I kind of have an angle drafted out and I’ll just expand on it once I finally decide. I was thinking about My experiences being a first generation college student having parents who did not understand the the immense amount of time that goes into studying. My parents required me to purse part-time/full.time work while going to school to help with tuition household expenses. Since Spring of freshman year I have worked 3 part-time jobs to help (30hrs/wk & 50wk over breaks). Our financial status hasn’t been the best since my mom retired early and my dad work schedule was irregular due to injury. I know this may be cliche but I really worked hard to support my family so I know how difficult this could be

 

[freedoctor17]

That sounds like a good topic for challenges overcome for the working thing.

I have yet to figure out what I'm going to write for diversity yet as well though so might not be much help on that front. Is there more to the prompt? I know for med schools people on here say to make your diversity essay something cool you'll add to the class. Being an AA female lesbian is probably going to bring a less represented perspective to the school which I feel like should be fine for diversity (as long as you can expand on your experiences). Why do you feel it's cliche?

 

[Spectar]

Diversity essay can be about literally anything you feel would be interesting and unique and how this would help you contribute to your medical school class.

I would absolutely not use something you are being pressured to use, and instead write about what you want and are passionate about. With that said, I'm going to agree with @freedoctor17 in that this sounds like a better answer to a "significant challenge question." I'm sure you could spin it for diversity but is there anything else you could think about that makes you unique and you are willing/passionate enough to write about? Even if you aren't really passionate about it, writing about being an AA female lesbian will still be a really good essay.

Many people write about race, religion, culture, hobbies, etc.

I for example, wrote about photography and how I can contribute my skills learnt in my hobby to the medical school class.

 

[Nathan17182]

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 female” but I have seen SDN users say being black itself is not “diverse”, but the experiences are. I am also a lesbian but I also feel like this is an answer that may be getting played out because more and more people are coming out lol. I want something that could make my application unique and stand out from others. Anyway I kind of have an angle drafted out and I’ll just expand on it once I finally decide. I was thinking about My experiences being a first generation college student having parents who did not understand the the immense amount of time that goes into studying. My parents required me to purse part-time/full.time work while going to school to help with tuition household expenses. Since Spring of freshman year I have worked 3 part-time jobs to help (30hrs/wk & 50wk over breaks). Our financial status hasn’t been the best since my mom retired early and my dad work schedule was irregular due to injury. I know this may be cliche but I really worked hard to support my family so I know how difficult this could be

Almost every diversity easy I wrote this cycle was about being black and gay. I talked about how I will bring diversity to the school by being willing to learn about others and being willing to teach others about my identities. Black peoples are underrepresented and LGBTQ+ individuals are also underrepresented. Talking about your two identities would be great as long as you talk about how you will use your identities as a student and a doctor. Talking about being first gen would be fine too just the same idea.

 

[seren1051]

My parents required me to purse part-time/full.time work while going to school to help with tuition household expenses. Since Spring of freshman year I have worked 3 part-time jobs to help (30hrs/wk & 50wk over breaks). Our financial status hasn’t been the best since my mom retired early and my dad work schedule was irregular due to injury. I know this may be cliche but I really worked hard to support my family so I know how difficult this could be

This also works, too. My diversity was about period of going through SES difficulty. Cliche yes, but we can't help that we're poor!

 

[Goro]

but I have seen SDN users say being black itself is not “diverse”, but the experiences are.
100% agree

am also a lesbian but I also feel like this is an answer that may be getting played out because more and more people are coming out lol.
Not correct. This is also worth mentioning.

My parents required me to purse part-time/full.time work while going to school to help with tuition household expenses.
Having to work part-time while going to school isn't that unusual. This is better fodder for "adversity" prompts.

I suggest the first two, or whatever else you think is cool about you.

 

[Suprachiasmatik]

Why don't you actually go out and do something diverse. Then this essay will practically write itself.

 

[master-dissertations]

I would suggest to read many many many people's essays and it should help to make a decission.