Confused over diversity statement

[LLajax]

A lot of the schools that I'm applying to have an optional diversity statement section. I'm all for giving them whatever information they want from me.....but I'm not terribly diverse? Their instructions are rather vague ("how would you add to the diversity of our academic community?")- do they mean me? I mean, I get that I'm a unique person and all, but I'm not exactly sure I'm the type of diverse they're referring to?? Will it hurt my application that I don't upload anything here?

[butterfingers2010]

I had the same dilemma and I ended up deciding against it. I just could not think of anything that makes me stick out, with the exception of a few things I had mentioned in my SOP already, anyway.

Are you sure you're not diverse in some way? Diversity could also mean in socioeconomic status, age, life experiences, etc. I would consider all the possibilities carefully and then decide if any of them truly warrant a diversity statement. You definitely don't want to sound contrived or irritate the person who is reviewing your application, so only write it if it is something truly meaningful that was not covered elsewhere in your application. I honestly don't think it will hurt your application by not writing it, since it's not required. if it were required they would just state that.