The "Optional" Essay: Your Voice, Your Story

Katana Dumont
Aug 2
5 min read

Updated: Aug 4

As part of the Becoming LawyHer podcast series, which brings real stories and strategies to help you navigate the legal world, Dean Kristi Jobson from Harvard Law shared her expert advice on crafting compelling and authentic application pieces. This week’s focus is the Statement of Perspective and other “optional” law school essays.

You're deep in the law school application trenches—personal statements, LSAT scores, transcripts. Then, you spot it: an "optional" essay. That little word "optional" can feel like a riddle. It leaves you wondering: Do they really mean optional? Should I write one, or will it just be extra work for no gain? And if I do write it, how do I make my story stand out?

These apprehensions are valid, and it's a common dilemma for countless applicants. The good news is, these "optional" essays, particularly prompts like the Statement of Perspective, aren't about fabricating a dramatic, movie-worthy narrative. They're about authentically sharing who you are and the distinctive contributions you'll bring to a vibrant law school community.

Becoming LawyHer podcast. Optional essay episode.

Your Perspective: What It's Really About

Think of the Statement of Perspective (also known as a diversity statement, or by another name depending on the school) is your chance to show how your background, experiences, or interests will add something meaningful to a law school campus and, eventually, to the legal world. While the specific prompt may vary by school, all the essays typically have a central purpose: to help schools understand how you will contribute to their community.

To get the creative juices flowing, consider how you might explore experiences like:

Growing up in a small town or rural area. What unique insights did that give you about community, resources, or the challenges people face?
A deep love for something seemingly niche, like science fiction or anime. How has that shaped your worldview, your analytical skills, or your understanding of different societies?
Navigating chronic illness or disability. What resilience, problem-solving, or empathy have you developed as a result?
Being part of a faith-based community. What values, connections, or experiences have that offered you?
Living in a multigenerational household. What did you learn about family dynamics, different perspectives, or caring for others?
Life as a military kid. How did moving around, adapting to new cultures, or understanding different forms of service shape you?
Working in retail, caregiving, or other service industries. How did working in a role that requires interpersonal skills and conflict resolution prepare you for a career in law?

Don't Obsess Over Being "Unique"

It’s totally normal to worry that your story has been told a thousand times. Maybe you helped your immigrant parents with their small business, or you're the first in your family to become fluent in English. These are common narratives, and it’s a valid fear that yours might get lost in the shuffle.

But let me share something powerful from Dean Jobson:

“I cannot count the number of times I’ve read an essay about, and this is the broad strokes version, helping your immigrant parents with their small business and being the first person in your family with fluent English language skills…Every single last one of them is fascinating. Each family is different. Each person is different. I wouldn’t mind reading that essay all day long.”

Remember, this isn't about being the rarest, most dramatic applicant out there. It’s about being real. What truly matters is that your story is genuinely yours. Your authentic voice and thoughtful reflection are what will make your essay shine.

“I think unique is a little overrated. Law school admissions is not a quest for unicorns.” - Dean Jobson

The "Optional" Essay: Is It Really Optional?

That "optional" label on an essay prompt can be a bit of a mind game. It's easy to wonder if that really means "don't bother." The truth is, it's often more nuanced than that. While it's genuinely optional in some cases, in others, submitting one can be a real benefit, showing deeper interest or effort. Not submitting anything might occasionally be perceived as a missed opportunity to showcase more of who you are.

Since schools aren’t always crystal clear on their expectations for these prompts, you may have to do a little digging:

Attend info sessions or webinars and just ask directly if they truly mean "optional."
Chat with current students at the school. They're often your best resource for understanding unspoken expectations.
Consider the submission trends at top law schools. For example, it's widely known that the vast majority of applicants to a school like Yale submit these optional essays. That tells you a lot.

And a big word of caution: do not copy-paste the same essay to every school. Admissions committees can spot a mile away when, for example, you’ve submitted a Stanford-specific prompt to Harvard.

Word of advice from Dean Jobson, “If you’re going to write these optional essays, I would really try your best to open a fresh Word doc and kind of start from scratch and make it sound like an authentic response to that person’s question. If you’re not going to do that, I’m not sure I’d submit it at all.”

The Art of Strategic Overlap

You may wonder if it's acceptable for certain themes or experiences to appear in your Statement of Purpose, Statement of Perspective, or even an Adversity Statement. The key to answering this question is understanding that these essays are actually asking different questions:

Your Statement of Purpose is about where you’re going. (Think about your motivations for law school and your career path.)
Your Statement of Perspective is about who you are and where you’ve been. (Focus on the experiences and background that shaped your identity.)
An Adversity Statement specifically addresses a significant challenge or obstacle you've overcome, and what you learned from that experience.

So, you can absolutely mention the same background or themes in multiple essays—just approach it from a different angle. Maybe your experience working in a bustling restaurant shows up in your Statement of Purpose to highlight your newfound leadership skills—tying into where you're going in your career—that same experience in your Statement of Perspective could illustrate your ability to connect with people from all walks of life, reflecting who you are and the unique lens you bring.

It's all about selecting the angle that best addresses the specific prompt, allowing you to present a more complete, nuanced picture of yourself across your entire application.

Your Application: A Full Picture

As you write these supplemental essays, remember a few key things:

Reflect deeply and genuinely. Don't try to force a narrative that isn't true to you.
Take your time. The best applications aren't rushed; they're the result of thoughtful consideration and revision.
You want your application to feel like the admissions committee is getting to know a full person, not just a polished marketing pitch.
You don't have to contort yourself to "stand out" by being wildly different. You stand out by being honest and vulnerable in sharing your authentic self.

Your story, whatever it is, holds immense value. The Statement of Perspective and other optional essays is your moment to share it.