by Kathleen M. The UC PIQ number eight is open-ended and asks you what else you “believe makes you a strong candidate for the University of California.” So what kinds of responses might go here? Remember you want to balance the kinds of stories you are telling for the four responses, so if you have covered academics, your major, your volunteer service, your sport in the other questions – now
by Kathleen M. When you start to think about the UC PIQ 7: What have you done to make your school or community a better place?, focus on the word “better” and a little less on “done.” What would it mean for you to make a place better? How would you show that you had improved the place? For example: I made my softball team into a better place by
by Kathleen M. So by now you have recognized the pattern and know we will be discussing UC PIQ number 6 this week: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside the classroom. If your first impulse is to wax poetic about what you love about calculus… I am here to remind you that this UC essay 6, like all
by Kathleen M. The UC essays 4 and 5 are really very closely related to one another. So think about selecting one of these. Prompt number 4 asks: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. And prompt five poses this question: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to
by Kathleen M. When the UC PIQ prompt #3 asks: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? How should you answer? How do you show development over time? At some point you were probably only okay at something you count as your greatest talent and skill. You likely worked very hard for the thing you are discussing
by Kathleen M. When you first read the UC PIQ prompt #2: “Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side,” you may think, “this doesn’t apply to me because I am not an artist.” However, read it again. You will see the options that the
by Kathleen M. The first prompt for the University of California Personal Insight Questions is “Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. After an initial read, you may decide not to pursue this question – you only have to choose four of eight – but I would recommend you read it again and
by Kathleen M. For the University of California system, students will need to choose four of eight Personal Insight Questions. The UC admissions webpage provides a welcome video and a breakdown of the eight questions. Additionally, there is a handout on the webpage which breaks the process down into steps. If you would like more info on the UC PIQs, this blog has a number of posts that would be
by Kathleen M. Now that you have a draft of your Common App Essay written, it is time for revision. “Revision” means seeing it again – hopefully from a new perspective. So as you work on polishing and revising your own essay, here is one way to be sure the HOCs and LOCs are all locked in! Supplies needed: Your essay, sticky notes, pens. Step one: Read your essay one
by Michelle P. One essay for college applications can already be an intimidating task for many students. Multiply that by the variety of essay prompts required from colleges, and the writing work required looks like a very tall mountain indeed. How can students write more quickly for a personal college application essay, especially when you want to get that first draft out on paper? And no, we are not talking
by Drew C. UC prompt #8: Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Sometimes opened-ended prompts are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the question frees you up to write about almost anything, including how great you are. On the other hand, that very freedom can easily lead you astray, because
by Drew C. UC prompt #4: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. This one is a double prompt, so choose your own adventure. You could write about your favorite honors course, a special trip you took, an after-school activity, or anything else that shaped you into the student you are today. On the other hand,
by Sarah M. UC prompt #2: Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you
