Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

How to answer 'How will you contribute to a diverse community?' in college apps?

I'm a bit stuck on this question in my college applications. What are admissions looking for with 'how will you contribute to a diverse community?' Should I talk about my background, opinions, or something else? Any examples would help!

a year ago

When colleges ask how you will contribute to a diverse community, they're trying to gauge how your presence on campus will enhance the range of perspectives and experiences available to other students. They're interested in how open-minded you are, your ability to interact with people from different backgrounds, and the unique aspects of your identity that you can bring to their community.

In responding to this prompt, you should definitely discuss your personal background—emphasizing any aspects that have shaped your worldview and attitudes. This might include your cultural heritage, personal experiences, community involvement, or even experiences overcoming adversity.

For example, if you've been actively involved in a community service project that's focused on environmental sustainability, describe this work and discuss how your green initiatives or advocacy could transfer to your college campus. This could mean starting a sustainability club, organizing events to improve campus-wide recycling efforts, or advocating for the incorporation of more sustainable practices in your school's planning and operations.

Another way to approach this question is to discuss any unique hobbies, interests, or talents you possess that aren't commonly found among traditional applicants. For instance, if you've spent years learning a less commonly known language and could potentially tutor other students or create a club that celebrates this culture, this would be a clear demonstration of your potential contribution to campus diversity.

So, remember, in answering this question, try to be as specific as possible about how you would contribute to the campus community. Colleges are looking for specifics about you, not generalities about diversity. Show them how your unique viewpoint or experience will enrich their community and make the campus experience more inclusive for everyone.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.