<p>Two of the graduate programs that I am applying to require a diversity statement, of sorts. One is a "Statement of Purpose," but it also includes how I will contribute to the diversity of the program and campus. The other is a one-page paper purely on my diversity and how I will contribute, as well as any obstacles I have overcome, etc. My issue is that I have no clue how to start this thing. For the one-page paper, I thought I would talk about my spirituality and how it has aided me in overcoming some personal issues while also recognizing and embracing the diversity in life. My spirituality also is more diverse and unique because I follow Goddess Religions. </p>
<p>The thing is, I don't know how I should start it...I want to to catch their attention, obviously, but since it is only one page I need to do so quickly. Any advice?</p>
<p>The most common advice I hear is to write the introduction last. For the time being, start with an introduction that helps you get started writing and don’t worry about how it sounds to someone else. Once you have a draft of the main body, it might be easier to formulate an appropriate introduction that highlights the point you are elaborating on in the rest of the statement.</p>
<p>I agree with b@r!um, just do some free writing to get started and fill out the body of the essay. What I do is have a separate page/file where I jot down some one-liners that I think will make a good opening sentence. Then I set it all aside for a few days and return to it with fresh eyes and see how gripping any of those statements really were, and whether they fit into the rest of the body. Writing is a process, and few essays/stories are written start to finish without some rearranging and rewriting.</p>
<p>At some public institutions, the diversity statement exists solely to reflect the schools’ nature: they’re public institutions. In these cases, the adcoms usually don’t care what gets written there, as long as it’s not offputting in some way. I’ve seen students accepted to my program with “As a [so-and-so overrepresented gender/race], I do not contribute to campus diversity.” as their entire diversity statement. Not that I would suggest taking this route, per se, but that should emphasize that there is no need to worry much about this portion of the application.</p>
<p>^ I recall being amused by Michigan’s graduate fellowship policy. Faculty are instructed to nominate only those students for university-wide fellowships who would contribute to diversity. Statistical information on gender, race, ethnicity and national origin may not be used to justify a nomination; however, if an applicant indicates attending a women’s college or holding a scholarship from the United Negro College Fund, that information is fair game.</p>