I get quite nervous watching these videos, having applied earlier this month, in case Dean Z says something that I did on my application is wrong! Love these videos too!
I am a hardcore Michigan State fan but thank you so much Michigan Law and Dean Z for providing aspiring law students with such informational content! Thank you thank you thank you! The process is very overwhelming but this helps so much!
Very late to the party. Thank you Dean Z, your vids are the much prayed for life raft in the admissions sea. I'm not quite yet drowning, as I am treading currently, in rough waters. It's been difficult deciding how present myself to admins via my statements. Now, I'm on it. And although I haven't selected just where I'd like to attend LS again, thanks for all your rescue efforts. Anyhoo, Go Blue! 💙
Hail the victors indeed: Dean Z is batting 25 for 25 with these "A2Z" vlog updates. They're legendary amongst those of us hopeful Wolverines! After watching them all, I almost feel a bit too uncool to apply to Michigan; I ask myself whether my humor could keep apace with the Dean's. Nevertheless, please expect an application from this grateful West Texan come mid-November; and thank you all up in Ann Arbor so much for this televisual journey into the heart of one of the most interesting law school admissions processes in America. Most important of all, however: go blue!
Can your personal statement sometimes speak for itself in highlighting a diverse perspective you could bring to law school? Sometimes I think Diversity Statement topics just end up getting included in the PS in some way.
Absolutely! Our first reader and I were just talking about this-that many applicants repeat content from their PS in an optional essay. It’s a waste of real estate, and also is frustrating to the reader; the repetition suggests the applicant didn’t put the work into editing!
@@umichlawthank you! I’ve been recommend to write a diversity statement but I felt as though my personal statement covered that! Will focus on something else for my optional essays
In your experience do good diversity statements have a more artistic (poetic) or academic approach? I find my own statement more interesting when written with a more artistic framework but I am unsure how admissions offices will see this. Thank you!
Hi Dean Z! Thank you so much for all of these videos! I was wondering (and I hope it's ok if we post questions on youtube), how do law schools view fine arts majors? Is our GPA viewed the same way as liberal arts?
A fine arts major might have their transcript scrutinized a bit more, just to make sure that there was a range of coursework. But assuming that you took classes in a variety of fields, with exposure to reading and textual analysis, you need have no concerns.
Congratulations! I love that your first acceptance of so many was your ultimate choice. Question: besides Michigan State, did you receive other scholarships? If so, would you mind sharing?
If there are multiple things you could write a diversity statement about, would it be best to focus on just one in your essay, or should you include more than one?
Also wanted to say - echoing the many thanks for this very helpful series! I really appreciate the frankness and humor you help bring to this overwhelming application process.
Thank you for such informative videos, Dean Z! I have a question regarding what counts as "diverse": does my background being grown in the countryside warrant writing a diversity statement? In my town, I was plagued by the animal sounds and feces from the farm when I was young, and I did something to resolve issues! I thought "It might be a unique experience, but not a topic traditional enough to write DS about. "
Another awesome video. I find it ironic that diversity is something that makes one different from another, yet there are common topics on what makes someone different. 🤷🏻♂️ This leads me to believe that the true distinguishing factors of a diversity statement are, including but not limited to, experience(s) and writing ability. The latter is not unexpected and thus not beyond a measure of control (yes, I just quoted the Architect from the Matrix). But diverse experience(s) requires a comparison with one of two things: the class or the profession. Typically, the class diversity is best known by the admission committee. I'm not even sure what would qualify as diversity to the profession of law. So, my query: How exactly does one know what makes them comparatively diverse? And what makes an admissions officer connect with a "common" diversity statement topic, such as challenges due to being LGBT?
You have as much access to information about the composition of the legal profession as anyone else-if you have a particular trait in mind, you can get researching! Many legal publications have frequent articles on the subject. Alternatively, I would say that if there is a characteristic that is unusual in the context of American life, or higher education, you’re safe in assuming it is also unusual in the context of the legal profession. Finally, I certainly wouldn’t characterize LGBTQ status as a common topic for diversity essays, and it absolutely would be appropriate to discuss.
I just honestly don't believe any admissions officer cares about any statement that isn't premised on being "oppressed." Admitting to being even slightly conservative is a death sentence for admissions.
Sounds like your mind is made up so I don’t expect to convince you, but-you’re completely incorrect! An applicant who discusses their political ideology, evincing thoughtfulness and a good-faith willingness to engage, is *incredibly* valuable to the classroom environment and the law school pedagogy. I love to get applicants who demonstrate this in their writing-and because conservative viewpoints are more rarely expressed, that’s an edge.
@@umichlaw Thank you for responding with your experience and judgement. Yet I still don't see how conservative ideology-especially when associated with religious belief-can escape its association with evil and ill-will in university environments. If you believe, say, that the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was an overreach of the judicial system, that is very generally considered in the law school environment bad-faith, inconsiderate, and even homophobic without even dipping into any dialogue. How do you weigh a political opinion that in the grand scheme of the country is not abnormal (though I don't think Obergefell counts for this) against the feelings of an identity group on campus? When does a viewpoint, no matter how willing a person who holds that view is to engage in good-faith discussion, become untenable when placed against the emotional well-being (or even the existence itself) of an affinity group? Even if I'm willing to believe you yourself are objective in ascertaining a diverse political viewpoint (and why wouldn't I, I guess?), for most conservative applicants expressing that conservative viewpoint in this manner feels like playing Russian roulette. Sure, every 5 out of 6 admissions officers might be thoughtful, but all it takes is for your application to be read by one who is ideologically opposed to receive a bad outcome. Why hazard being shut out of admission when there is no equivalent for someone with extremely progressive views? This is obviously a bigger problem than just one person, office, university, etc. can handle or address, but it just strikes me as disconnected to see someone in a university environment disregard what most conservative students have seen, heard, and learned throughout their educational experience, i.e., expressing a conservative viewpoint can easily lead to poor outcomes due to the extreme concentration of university affiliates at one end of the political spectrum. Not that it really matters to me in the end. If someone wants to take that risk in a diversity statement, I hope it works out and that your message is true and representative of admissions officers. I just wouldn't, and I really don't believe any but the most daring conservative student would, either. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I guess.
@ Yeah reading this over again, a year later in law school, I stand by what I wrote 100% and still believe it was dishonest for her to say that. I guess trying to get as many applications as possible and preserve some facade of objectivity is more important than just admitting there's a problem that only students at one end of the political spectrum are faced with. Just imagine what it's like if you're a conservative black student. It's not hard to see what will happen when even law professors aren't quiet about their seething hatred of someone like Justice Thomas.
@@umichlawtotally false; stop lying to these people. We have all seen the discrimination on campuses, by faculty and administrative staff. We have seen it in the corporate world. You are describing something we all wish to be true, but is not.
I get quite nervous watching these videos, having applied earlier this month, in case Dean Z says something that I did on my application is wrong! Love these videos too!
I am a hardcore Michigan State fan but thank you so much Michigan Law and Dean Z for providing aspiring law students with such informational content! Thank you thank you thank you! The process is very overwhelming but this helps so much!
Love to hear it! Wolverines 🤝 Spartans
Very late to the party.
Thank you Dean Z, your vids are the much prayed for life raft in the admissions sea. I'm not quite yet drowning, as I am treading currently, in rough waters. It's been difficult deciding how present myself to admins via my statements.
Now, I'm on it. And although I haven't selected just where I'd like to attend LS again, thanks for all your rescue efforts.
Anyhoo, Go Blue! 💙
Hail the victors indeed: Dean Z is batting 25 for 25 with these "A2Z" vlog updates. They're legendary amongst those of us hopeful Wolverines! After watching them all, I almost feel a bit too uncool to apply to Michigan; I ask myself whether my humor could keep apace with the Dean's. Nevertheless, please expect an application from this grateful West Texan come mid-November; and thank you all up in Ann Arbor so much for this televisual journey into the heart of one of the most interesting law school admissions processes in America. Most important of all, however: go blue!
Can your personal statement sometimes speak for itself in highlighting a diverse perspective you could bring to law school? Sometimes I think Diversity Statement topics just end up getting included in the PS in some way.
Absolutely! Our first reader and I were just talking about this-that many applicants repeat content from their PS in an optional essay. It’s a waste of real estate, and also is frustrating to the reader; the repetition suggests the applicant didn’t put the work into editing!
@@umichlaw Great, thanks!
@@umichlawthank you! I’ve been recommend to write a diversity statement but I felt as though my personal statement covered that! Will focus on something else for my optional essays
In your experience do good diversity statements have a more artistic (poetic) or academic approach? I find my own statement more interesting when written with a more artistic framework but I am unsure how admissions offices will see this. Thank you!
Hi Dean Z! Thank you so much for all of these videos! I was wondering (and I hope it's ok if we post questions on youtube), how do law schools view fine arts majors? Is our GPA viewed the same way as liberal arts?
A fine arts major might have their transcript scrutinized a bit more, just to make sure that there was a range of coursework. But assuming that you took classes in a variety of fields, with exposure to reading and textual analysis, you need have no concerns.
@@umichlaw Thank you so much!
Congratulations! I love that your first acceptance of so many was your ultimate choice. Question: besides Michigan State, did you receive other scholarships? If so, would you mind sharing?
If there are multiple things you could write a diversity statement about, would it be best to focus on just one in your essay, or should you include more than one?
Also wanted to say - echoing the many thanks for this very helpful series! I really appreciate the frankness and humor you help bring to this overwhelming application process.
thank you for the video!
I spy Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law on Dean Z’s bookshelf! Fantastic read.
Would class background be considered an appropriate topic?
yes.
Absolutely.
thank you this is very helpful! also i love your personality!
Thank you!
What if I think people are all the same? I love them all equally! We all share the same human experience on the same planet in the same universe :)
Thank you for such informative videos, Dean Z! I have a question regarding what counts as "diverse": does my background being grown in the countryside warrant writing a diversity statement? In my town, I was plagued by the animal sounds and feces from the farm when I was young, and I did something to resolve issues! I thought "It might be a unique experience, but not a topic traditional enough to write DS about. "
COVID hair *sadness* I relate!
Thanks for trough away people like me
I am leaving to Guate next month
I dont like people help me. I just need a hole and some soil. Take care
"While this video may not seem to be helpful for me as a white, CIS gender male...."
Jokes aside thank you! Great video and valuable insights.
Another awesome video. I find it ironic that diversity is something that makes one different from another, yet there are common topics on what makes someone different. 🤷🏻♂️
This leads me to believe that the true distinguishing factors of a diversity statement are, including but not limited to, experience(s) and writing ability. The latter is not unexpected and thus not beyond a measure of control (yes, I just quoted the Architect from the Matrix). But diverse experience(s) requires a comparison with one of two things: the class or the profession. Typically, the class diversity is best known by the admission committee. I'm not even sure what would qualify as diversity to the profession of law.
So, my query: How exactly does one know what makes them comparatively diverse? And what makes an admissions officer connect with a "common" diversity statement topic, such as challenges due to being LGBT?
You have as much access to information about the composition of the legal profession as anyone else-if you have a particular trait in mind, you can get researching! Many legal publications have frequent articles on the subject. Alternatively, I would say that if there is a characteristic that is unusual in the context of American life, or higher education, you’re safe in assuming it is also unusual in the context of the legal profession. Finally, I certainly wouldn’t characterize LGBTQ status as a common topic for diversity essays, and it absolutely would be appropriate to discuss.
Diversity statements are sickening.
I just honestly don't believe any admissions officer cares about any statement that isn't premised on being "oppressed." Admitting to being even slightly conservative is a death sentence for admissions.
Sounds like your mind is made up so I don’t expect to convince you, but-you’re completely incorrect! An applicant who discusses their political ideology, evincing thoughtfulness and a good-faith willingness to engage, is *incredibly* valuable to the classroom environment and the law school pedagogy. I love to get applicants who demonstrate this in their writing-and because conservative viewpoints are more rarely expressed, that’s an edge.
@@umichlaw Thank you for responding with your experience and judgement.
Yet I still don't see how conservative ideology-especially when associated with religious belief-can escape its association with evil and ill-will in university environments. If you believe, say, that the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was an overreach of the judicial system, that is very generally considered in the law school environment bad-faith, inconsiderate, and even homophobic without even dipping into any dialogue. How do you weigh a political opinion that in the grand scheme of the country is not abnormal (though I don't think Obergefell counts for this) against the feelings of an identity group on campus? When does a viewpoint, no matter how willing a person who holds that view is to engage in good-faith discussion, become untenable when placed against the emotional well-being (or even the existence itself) of an affinity group?
Even if I'm willing to believe you yourself are objective in ascertaining a diverse political viewpoint (and why wouldn't I, I guess?), for most conservative applicants expressing that conservative viewpoint in this manner feels like playing Russian roulette. Sure, every 5 out of 6 admissions officers might be thoughtful, but all it takes is for your application to be read by one who is ideologically opposed to receive a bad outcome. Why hazard being shut out of admission when there is no equivalent for someone with extremely progressive views? This is obviously a bigger problem than just one person, office, university, etc. can handle or address, but it just strikes me as disconnected to see someone in a university environment disregard what most conservative students have seen, heard, and learned throughout their educational experience, i.e., expressing a conservative viewpoint can easily lead to poor outcomes due to the extreme concentration of university affiliates at one end of the political spectrum.
Not that it really matters to me in the end. If someone wants to take that risk in a diversity statement, I hope it works out and that your message is true and representative of admissions officers. I just wouldn't, and I really don't believe any but the most daring conservative student would, either. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I guess.
@ Yeah reading this over again, a year later in law school, I stand by what I wrote 100% and still believe it was dishonest for her to say that. I guess trying to get as many applications as possible and preserve some facade of objectivity is more important than just admitting there's a problem that only students at one end of the political spectrum are faced with.
Just imagine what it's like if you're a conservative black student. It's not hard to see what will happen when even law professors aren't quiet about their seething hatred of someone like Justice Thomas.
@@umichlawtotally false; stop lying to these people. We have all seen the discrimination on campuses, by faculty and administrative staff. We have seen it in the corporate world. You are describing something we all wish to be true, but is not.