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Your personal statement, or essay, is an important part of UC’s comprehensive review.
The Basics
Carefully read the essay instructions in the UC application packet. As per the instructions, use the essay to address one or more of the following topics:
- The qualities and accomplishments you would bring to the University.
- One of the your intellectual achievements and what you have gained from it.
- Any unusual circumstances or challenges you have faced and how you have responded.
Allow time to write, revise, review, and finalize your essay. It takes time to produce a well-written and compelling essay that speaks to those issues that UC considers in the comprehensive review of your application.
Write the essay yourself, then ask a counselor, teacher, parent,or classmate to review it for you.
The Content
You may use the essay to:
- Present new information about yourself, or elaborate on information you have provided elsewhere on the application. (For example, elaborate on the honors and awards you’ve listed in item XI). Tell us not only what you have done, but why you have done it, and what you have learned from it.
- Provide information that distinguishes you from other applicants. Remember that your application is part of a strong pool. Accordingly, tell about those areas in which you most excel.
- Describe not only your accomplishments, but also about your qualities, characteristics and attributes that might enhance the quality of the UC’s undergraduate class.
- Mention all of your skills, abilities, or experiences that might add to the diversity of UC’s undergraduate class. For example, mention if you are multi-lingual or multi-cultural; differences in world view and life experience provide for a stimulating and intellectually vibrant learning environment.
- Discuss any challenges that you have faced or obstacles that you have overcome. For example, let us know if you are the first in your family to go to college, or if you have contended with serious illness or disability. Be sure to tell us how you achieved success in spite of these challenges or obstacles, and how any hardships you have endured have shaped your character, affected your beliefs, formed your values, and influenced your goals.
The Outcome
As a result of reading your essay, we should:
- Be able to distinguish you from other applicants.
- Better understand the circumstances or context in which you have achieved—or not fully achieved—your full academic potential.
- Know more about you as a person, that is, know more about your character, your educational values, and your life goals (particularly as they relate to your intended area of study).
- Have insight into what you will add to the excellence and the diversity of UC’s entering Freshman class.
When you complete your essay, re-read it and see if it speaks to the points noted above. If it does, then you will have provided the UC’s with important additional information that will be used in determining your admission status.
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