An effective diversity essay highlights the distinctive viewpoint, background, or life experiences you would contribute to your future college campus. The essay should feature personal anecdotes that illustrate how your unique identity has molded your perspective, behaviors, and aspirations.
Key components of a powerful diversity essay include:
- Demonstrating your potential to enrich the campus community
- Sharing revealing stories about your lived experience
- Maintaining a focus on your individual journey
- Analyzing how your background has impacted your progression
- Personalizing your essay for each university
What is a diversity essay?
A diversity essay is a college admissions essay that revolves around an applicant’s background and identity, usually within the context of a particular community. This community can refer to race or ethnicity, income level, neighborhood, school, gender, sexual orientation, etc. The purpose of this essay is to highlight any experiences, struggles, or opportunities that shaped the applicant’s perspective.
Diversity essays can be written for various purposes, such as scholarship applications for underrepresented students or supplemental essays for competitive colleges. Some main essay prompts in the Common Application and other college applications also explore how an applicant’s background has influenced their personal growth and perspective.
Example: Common Application prompt #1
Prompt: 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.
Example: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill short answer essay
Prompt: Expand on an aspect of your identity – for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc. How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?
Example: University of Michigan supplementary essay
Prompt: Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.
Why schools want a diversity essay
Colleges and universities value diversity essays because they:
1. Help create a diverse student body
- Schools want a mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives on campus
- Diversity enriches the educational experience for all students
2. Provide insight into applicants’ experiences
- Essays reveal how applicants’ identities have shaped their lives
- Schools learn about applicants’ challenges, growth, and contributions
3. Demonstrate applicants’ self-awareness
- Writing about diversity requires introspection and understanding of one’s identity
- Essays showcase applicants’ ability to reflect on their experiences and perspectives
4. Show potential to contribute to the community
- Diversity essays highlight applicants’ unique strengths and talents
- Schools look for students who will share their perspectives and enrich campus life
5. Align with schools’ missions and values
- Many colleges prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
- Diversity essays help schools identify applicants who will further these goals
Diversity essays allow colleges to build a rich campus community with students from various backgrounds who can learn from each other. These essays provide insights into applicants’ experiences, self-awareness, and potential contributions, helping schools create a diverse and dynamic student body that aligns with their institutional values.
Identify how you will enrich the campus community
Reflect on the facets of your identity or experiences that distinguish you from others, and select one that has profoundly shaped your life.
Some students may readily recognize what differentiates them from their peers. However, if you’re struggling to pinpoint what makes you stand out among other applicants, try viewing your life from an outsider’s perspective. Don’t assume your personal experiences are mundane or commonplace simply because they’re familiar to you.
Here are some examples of identities or backgrounds you could potentially discuss in your essay:
- Cultural heritage or ethnicity
- Religious or spiritual beliefs
- Sexual orientation or gender identity
- Socioeconomic status or class background
- Family structure or dynamics
- Disability or neurodiversity
- Unique hobbies, interests, or talents
- Significant life events or challenges
- Community or geographic background
Share stories about your lived experience
Share genuine, heartfelt stories that illustrate your own lived experiences. Stay centered on your personal narrative rather than extensively comparing yourself to others or detailing their stories.
Keep the focus on you
Recount anecdotes that demonstrate how your background, identity, or experiences have shaped you. While you may briefly reference someone else’s story to provide context, ensure that your essay remains focused on your own journey. Admissions officers are primarily interested in understanding your life experiences and perspective, not those of others.
Example
Growing up as a first-generation American, I often felt caught between two worlds. At home, my parents spoke Mandarin and maintained traditional Chinese customs, like celebrating the Lunar New Year and eating with chopsticks. At school, I navigated a predominantly English-speaking environment and tried to fit in with my classmates.
For a long time, I saw my cultural background as a burden, something that made me different from everyone else. I remember feeling embarrassed when my mom packed me lunch boxes filled with dumplings and stir-fried vegetables, while my friends ate sandwiches and chips. I avoided speaking Chinese in public, afraid that others would judge or mock me.
However, as I grew older, I began to appreciate the richness and beauty of my heritage. I realized that my ability to speak two languages and navigate multiple cultures was not a weakness, but a strength. In high school, I joined the Chinese Culture Club and helped organize events like the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration and Chinese New Year Gala. Through these experiences, I connected with other students who shared my background and found pride in my identity.
My cultural identity has also shaped my academic and career interests. As a child, I often accompanied my parents to their jobs at the local Chinese grocery store, where I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by immigrant small business owners. These experiences sparked my interest in economics and public policy, as I wanted to understand the systemic barriers that immigrant communities face and work towards solutions.
Speak from your own experience
Concentrate on your own actions, challenges, and emotions rather than comparing yourself to others. Although it might be appealing to discuss ways in which you have been more or less privileged than those around you, keep the emphasis on your personal journey and distinctive experiences.
Example
Growing up, I never had a stable home. My family moved frequently, chasing affordable rent and job opportunities. By the time I reached high school, I had attended eight different schools across three states. Each move meant starting over, trying to make new friends and catch up on coursework.
Despite the constant upheaval, I remained committed to my education. I spent lunch breaks and late nights in the library, determined to maintain my grades. Teachers became my mentors, offering guidance and support when my parents were working long hours.
Through these experiences, I developed a strong sense of adaptability and independence. I learned to embrace change and seek out new opportunities for growth. In college, I hope to channel these skills into my studies and extracurricular activities, while also serving as a role model for other students who have faced similar challenges.
My background has taught me the value of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. I know that my unique perspective and experiences will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the diverse tapestry of the college community.
Explain how your background or identity has affected your life
After sharing meaningful personal anecdotes, provide deeper insight into how your lived experiences have shaped your worldview, pursuits, and aspirations. Explain how your background has influenced your decision to apply to this particular institution and why you believe you would thrive there.
Include your outlook, actions, and goals
Conclude your essay by reflecting on how your background or identity has molded your outlook, actions, and goals. Incorporate specific examples of initiatives you have taken or activities you have engaged in as a result of the insights you have gained from your experiences.
Example
As a first-generation college student, I have faced numerous challenges in navigating the complex world of higher education. From figuring out how to apply for financial aid to seeking out academic support resources, I have had to rely on my own determination and resourcefulness to succeed.
However, I know that I cannot achieve my goals alone. That’s why I am drawn to the University of [Name]’s commitment to supporting first-generation students. The university’s First-Generation Student Center, which offers mentorship, academic advising, and career development resources, would provide me with the guidance and support I need to thrive.
Moreover, the university’s diverse student body and emphasis on inclusive excellence align with my own values and experiences. As someone who has had to navigate multiple cultural contexts, I appreciate the university’s efforts to create a welcoming and equitable environment for all students.
In particular, I am excited about the opportunity to join the university’s First-Generation Student Alliance, where I can connect with other students who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Through this organization, I hope to not only find a sense of belonging but also to give back to my community by mentoring and supporting other first-generation students.
Tailor your answer to the university
After discussing how your identity or background will contribute to the diversity of the university’s student body, you can highlight specific organizations, groups, or academic programs at the institution that align with your interests and goals. Consider how the university’s unique features and opportunities connect with your experiences and aspirations.
Example
At Harvard, I’m eager to join the Women in Computer Science (WiCS) organization. As someone who often was the only girl in my AP Computer Science classes and robotics competitions, I’m looking forward to connecting with other women who are passionate about technology. I’m also excited about Adams House’s Quizbowl team – I adore trivia and am always down for some friendly competition. Finally, I can’t wait to cheer for the hockey team and fully embrace Harvard’s school spirit. Overall, I’m confident the diverse academic, social, and extracurricular communities at Harvard are the perfect fit for me.