What should I include in my college diversity essay?
I'm working on my diversity essay for a few of my college applications and I'm not totally sure what colleges are looking for in this prompt. I don't come from a really unusual background, but I do have some unique experiences within my school and community that shaped my perspective.
Should I focus mostly on cultural background, or is it okay to talk about diversity in terms of interests or experiences? For example, I've moved schools a lot because of my parents' jobs, and I've met people from lots of different places. Does that count, or should I dig deeper into my family's traditions and heritage?
If anyone has written a successful diversity essay, I'd really appreciate hearing how you approached it or what themes you focused on!
Should I focus mostly on cultural background, or is it okay to talk about diversity in terms of interests or experiences? For example, I've moved schools a lot because of my parents' jobs, and I've met people from lots of different places. Does that count, or should I dig deeper into my family's traditions and heritage?
If anyone has written a successful diversity essay, I'd really appreciate hearing how you approached it or what themes you focused on!
1 week ago
•
6 views
Roger Lopez
• 1 week ago
Advisor
You definitely don’t need to have an uncommon cultural background to write a strong diversity essay. Colleges aren’t just looking for stories about ethnic or national heritage (though those can absolutely work, too). They’re more interested in how your unique identity, life experiences, or perspectives will contribute to their campus community—and that includes things like moving often, developing unusual interests, or overcoming personal obstacles.
Your experience of moving schools frequently is actually a great discussion point if you can show how it’s shaped your worldview, adaptability, or ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. For instance, maybe you learned to appreciate finding common ground with classmates who had very different lifestyles, or maybe you helped new students adjust because you knew what it was like. Providing specific examples can really help your essay stand out.
It’s also valid to talk about interests, beliefs, or perspectives that make you different. For example, someone passionate about chess might talk about how connecting with people through chess clubs in each new school made cultural differences less intimidating. Or, someone who grew up in a multilingual household might share how switching languages has given them a unique lens for understanding others. The key is explaining how your particular angle on the world will add something to classroom discussions, clubs, or the campus culture.
If you want your essay to stand out, try to focus less on a general summary (like, “I’ve moved a lot and it made me adaptable”) and more on a specific moment or realization. For example, you could describe a time when being the new kid led to an unexpected friendship, or when you helped mediate a misunderstanding between students from different cliques, thanks to your own varied background.
Whatever topic you choose, make sure you reflect on what you learned and how it will influence your future in college. Colleges want to see reflection and self-awareness as much as they want to learn about your background.
So yes, diversity can be about culture, but it can also be about the unique collection of interests, perspectives, and formative experiences you bring to the table.
Your experience of moving schools frequently is actually a great discussion point if you can show how it’s shaped your worldview, adaptability, or ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. For instance, maybe you learned to appreciate finding common ground with classmates who had very different lifestyles, or maybe you helped new students adjust because you knew what it was like. Providing specific examples can really help your essay stand out.
It’s also valid to talk about interests, beliefs, or perspectives that make you different. For example, someone passionate about chess might talk about how connecting with people through chess clubs in each new school made cultural differences less intimidating. Or, someone who grew up in a multilingual household might share how switching languages has given them a unique lens for understanding others. The key is explaining how your particular angle on the world will add something to classroom discussions, clubs, or the campus culture.
If you want your essay to stand out, try to focus less on a general summary (like, “I’ve moved a lot and it made me adaptable”) and more on a specific moment or realization. For example, you could describe a time when being the new kid led to an unexpected friendship, or when you helped mediate a misunderstanding between students from different cliques, thanks to your own varied background.
Whatever topic you choose, make sure you reflect on what you learned and how it will influence your future in college. Colleges want to see reflection and self-awareness as much as they want to learn about your background.
So yes, diversity can be about culture, but it can also be about the unique collection of interests, perspectives, and formative experiences you bring to the table.
Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years