#admissions essays

[rhysintherain]

I was wondering if you had any college application essay writing tips. Those personal questions are kicking my ass fr

Well, the first and most important thing to remember about these is: they want to know you can write.

Not great, sweeping essays that will get you an A in a 4th year course or anything; just that you're not going to be in over your head in the program you're applying for. Nobody wins if you go to college and flunk out because you couldn't do the work.

Stick with simple, solid techniques like the five-part essay plan. Make your thesis clear, and organise your argument like you would for any academic essay. The fact that the topic is you isn't as important as how you present the topic.

Second, and a bit trickier to figure out, is the topic. Again, they want to know they're not wasting time on you, but it's really, really hard to think of yourself objectively as a topic for discussion.

Before you start writing, give yourself time to think. That's a very important step here, because you are the source and the research. Talk to friends and family as well, because they probably notice things you don't about yourself.

Then focus on three areas:

Achievements. What have you done that makes you a good candidate for this program? Why do you deserve to attend this institution? Here we're thinking awards, volunteering, jobs, or skills related to what you want to do. This is where you get to brag a little. Tell them why they should take you seriously. Don't feel too bad if these things don't feel like huge accomplishments; you're just starting out, and they know that.

Relationships. Think of the people you are doing this for, and the people who inspire you. Do you look up to a mentor in your field? Have a family member who is your biggest cheerleader? Want to set an example for the people coming after you? Connections are important, because they'll be your support network through your education, and also because they demonstrate your ability to connect with the people around you. Are you a team player? A natural leader? How do you relate to your positive relationships, and how will you build new ones moving forward? It's really difficult to get through school all by yourself, so show your audience that you will be part of the community and build the connections you need for success.

Goals. Where is this program leading you? What will you do with the skills you learn? They want to know you'll do something meaningful with what they teach you, so tell them what you hope to achieve. A bit of idealism isn't a bad idea here. Who do you hope to help with what you learn? How will this program make your life better? Remember that this isn't a set in stone destination, it's a hope for where your education might lead you. Talk about where you'd like to be, and how you plan to get there. Make your audience feel like they can contribute to your success.

Once you have concrete ideas about these areas of your life, you can answer most of the questions they present you with.

Remember that admissions staff want you there: they can't run a school without students. They also want to know who you are and what you're about, so they can tell if you're a good fit for their school. Try to be sincere in your answers: passion and connection show in your writing, whether you want them to or not, and your sincerity won't go unnoticed. We write best about things we care about, so focus on topics you feel passionate about and things you're proud of.

If the questions ask about challenges you've faced, put a positive spin on them. How did you overcome those challenges? What did you learn from the experience? How can this program help you to overcome future challenges? Personally, I don't like to bring up this sort of thing unless I'm asked directly, but that's up to you.

Finally, remember that not every school you apply for will be a good fit for you. Maybe your passion is something they don't have a good program for. Maybe you are really into theory, but they focus more on applied science. Don't be afraid to shop around, and don't be afraid to be flexible if you find what you want doesn't line up with what a school can offer. You'll find where you fit, but sometimes to takes some work to get there.

[cant-say-tomorrow-day]

next essay I write is gonna be an analysis of FHJY and how Kipperlilly's viewpoint and perception parallels what students are taught to value and emphasize when it comes to the college admissions process and writing college essays (aka trauma is a golden ticket)

[rooolt]

you have to admit, riz gukgak has killer college essay ammo

[whentherewerebicycles]

oh my god okay I’ve been working since 7:30am but MN, SD, and JW are all submitted for internal review!!! NF is ready to submit as soon as he gets home from school and does a final readthrough!!!! DN has decided to waive review lol godspeed to that poor kid but it means less work for me today yippee!!!! and I also had time to give the baby a bath which is his new favorite activity (furiously focused water-kicking time!!!!). I think now I will take a break from student work and take all the residents of this household out for a brisk walk.

[astrocarbon]

What are your favorite subjects/fields in astrophysics? I like high energy astrophysics and agns right now :3

exoplanets! black holes and cosmology scare me to death! teehee

my phd program (which I'll start next year) has loads of funding available for spectroscopic analysis of exoplanets and the direct imaging of exoplanets, so i'll definitely be exploring those areas. gotta follow the money ya know. but i also want to explore astrobiology.

a year ago i would've said i'm "anti-habitability". i turned my nose up at astrobiology, just like the professor i idolized for his intelligence (he turned out to be a bit of a jerk, unsurprisingly). i thought astrobio was too theoretical, too handwavey. and a secret third thing i don't know how to convey well with words. popsci-y? mainstream? from those around me, i had adopted the notion that astrobio was the thing you said you wanted to do if you weren't smart enough to do the heavy technical work with hot jupiters or stellar interiors. it was the naive dream of kids who would end up switching out of astrophysics because they couldn't keep up.

but in my gap year, in a country where astrophysics isn't really a thing, i've found myself talking about astrobiology more and more. it helps me relate to people across a bunch of different fields because it forces discussions about how we do science in the first place. how do our prior beliefs play into how we design our experiments and proposals, and therefore determine what we are able to find?

im finding that i enjoy these discussions. astrobiology is not just a combination of astronomy and biology. at risk of being annoying, it's reconciling with the fact we are trying to find extraterrestrial life with limited resources in a society run by politicians, religion, and capitalism

[bookinit02]

a series of events: wrote a piece for open mic night. talked to my favorite professor in class. he says “are you reading tonight?” i say yes. he says “do you know when?” i say girl i have no fucking clue. he says “ok can u read after intermission. bc i’m gonna be there by then and i really want to hear it.” i say okay! then i die.

[let-them-sing-of-others]

wrote my college essay abt orv i fear i may be too far gone

OH MY GOD i am so intrigued. hey collegeboard i wrote about my good friend kim dokja here hope u don’t mind. spill please (to whatever extent you can without bludgeoning online privacy with a club)

[xochy]

gay amoebas

[claratyler]

KIERKENGARD MENTIONED OMG I AM LITERALLY READING HIS WORK RIGHT NOW book club please

YEAAAA BOOK CLUB!!!

what work are you reading?

This is what made me think about Kierkegaard just now on that one post. He really said: "I'm going to make things difficult". And, if your experience reading his writings has been anything like mine, then you'll be inclined to agree that he achieved his goal lol

[vampirehizzies]

these grammarly ads on youtube are so whack because apparently grammarly just straight up completely rewrites the email without shame? and the ad is set in a workplace?? i know that it's just a fictional scenario with actors but i can't imagine that it's okay to let ai completely speak for you in the real world workplace especially because i know how much trouble kids my age would (rightfully) be in for trying to use ai to completely take over/write our essays for english class/college applications

[theyuniversity]

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[eggsnatcheskneecaps]

[eliteprepsat]

Mastering the University of California Personal Insight Questions: Effective Strategies for Success

Most colleges and universities require high school students to provide information about themselves as a part of the college application process in the form of a personal statement or essay. On the University of California (UC) application, this writing component is known as the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). Students are presented with eight questions and must respond to only four of the eight questions. These essay prompts give students an opportunity to showcase their individuality, achievements, and personal experiences, and each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. Crafting compelling responses to the PIQs can greatly enhance your chances of admission. 

The UC system is composed of nine undergraduate campuses, and students apply to UC campuses through a single online application. While students choose which UC campuses they want to apply to, all of the campuses receive the same information provided by the student in the application, including the PIQ responses. As a result, you should not direct your PIQ responses to any particular UC campus.

In this article, we will delve into each prompt and provide effective strategies to help you tackle them with confidence and create standout essays that capture the attention of UC admissions officers.

Prompt 1: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

To answer this prompt, start by reflecting on your experiences as a leader and choose one that truly stands out. Highlight specific instances where you influenced others, resolved conflicts, or made significant contributions to a group. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response, and emphasize the impact of your leadership on the individuals involved and the overall outcome. Focus on demonstrating your ability to inspire, motivate, and bring about positive change.

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.

This prompt invites you to showcase your creativity in various domains. Identify specific examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, or artistic pursuits. Describe a project or experience where you were able to apply your creative skills and explain how it allowed you to express your unique perspective. Be sure to discuss the thought process behind your creative endeavors and the impact they have had on your personal growth or the community around you.

Prompt 3: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

When addressing this prompt, choose a talent or skill that you are genuinely passionate about and have invested significant time and effort into developing. Discuss how you discovered this talent, the steps you have taken to cultivate it, and any notable achievements or recognition you have received. Provide concrete examples of how you have demonstrated this talent in different contexts, showcasing your growth and commitment. Additionally, consider discussing any challenges you faced along the way and how you overcame them.

Prompt 4: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

For this prompt, focus on a specific educational opportunity or challenge that has had a significant impact on your academic journey. Discuss how you took advantage of the opportunity or approached the barrier and the steps you took to make the most of the situation. Highlight any skills, knowledge, or lessons you gained as a result. Be sure to emphasize your resilience, determination, and willingness to go above and beyond to overcome obstacles and achieve academic success.

Prompt 5: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome it. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

When addressing this prompt, select a challenge that had a profound impact on your life and academic journey. Clearly articulate the nature of the challenge and the difficulties you encountered. Discuss the specific steps you took to tackle the challenge and the personal growth or valuable insights you gained as a result. Show how this experience shaped your academic achievements and how you developed resilience, adaptability, or a unique perspective in the face of adversity.

Prompt 6: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

To answer this prompt, identify your favorite academic subject and elaborate on why it captivates you. Explain how this subject has influenced your perspective, personal growth, or career aspirations. Discuss any specific projects, research, or extracurricular activities related to the subject that have deepened your understanding or sparked your passion. Highlight the connections between your favorite subject and your broader academic goals, showing how it has shaped your intellectual curiosity and drive for knowledge.

Prompt 7: What have you done to make your school or community a better place?

For this prompt, outline the specific actions you have taken to improve your school or community. Discuss any initiatives, clubs, organizations, or projects you have been involved in that have had a positive impact. Describe how your efforts have brought about tangible changes or fostered a sense of unity and inclusivity. Highlight the skills you have developed, the relationships you have built, and the lessons you have learned through your community engagement. Show your commitment to service and your ability to make a meaningful difference.

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?

This prompt provides an opportunity for you to share something about yourself with the admission committee that didn’t quite fit into one of the other prompts. Conversely, you can also use this space to discuss another skill, talent, challenge, or opportunity that you think will help the committee know you better. Whatever you choose to write about, emphasize your growth and development—personally, socially, or intellectually–and discuss how you can contribute to the campus community, whether as a student in the classroom, a roommate in the dorms, or a member and leader in a student organization.

Essay Writing Tips

Here are a few tips to get you started:

You get to choose which of the eight PIQ prompts to respond to, and the UC PIQs are designed to give you the flexibility to highlight the parts of your life you want to share. That said, you are going to college to further your education and thus should discuss your academic or intellectual interests in prompt numbers 4 or 6. 

Almost all of the PIQ prompts explicitly or implicitly invite you to discuss your growth and development (for example, “[h]ow have you developed and demonstrated that talent” and “how you have furthered this interest”). Focus on this aspect of your experience in your response. The UC campuses want to know not only what you accomplished and achieved but also how you grew (intellectually, emotionally, and socially) and what you learned along the way. In other words, how did the experience shape you into who you are today?

Elaborate on a particular experience in your response to provide information and context about your personal growth and development. When drafting your response, you should address the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) and put particular focus on answering the “why” question. Why did you respond or react the way you did? Why were you interested in a particular subject or topic? Why were we motivated to pursue a particular activity? In answering the “why” question, you reveal your thoughts, perspectives, and values–and doing so will make your response uniquely about you. 

You are asked to discuss your life experiences in the PIQ responses, and doing so requires you to understand how those experiences shaped you as an individual. Many students find it difficult to reflect on how they grew or changed over time because they are constantly focused on the future (studying for the next test, preparing for the next game, or planning the next volunteering event) rather than the past. Start the writing process early to give yourself plenty of time, and expect to write multiple drafts. Sometimes a brilliant idea turns out not to be so compelling after you start to work out the details–so, it’s okay to go back to the proverbial drawing board and brainstorm another idea.

Final Thoughts

Crafting compelling responses to the University of California Personal Insight Questions is a crucial step in the admissions process. By following the strategies provided for each prompt, you can create essays that effectively showcase your unique qualities, achievements, and personal growth. 

Remember to reflect on your experiences, choose concrete examples, and clearly communicate your impact and the lessons you have learned. With thorough preparation and thoughtful introspection, you can present yourself as an exceptional candidate who is ready to make a meaningful contribution to the UC community.

Elite Prep has helped thousands of high school seniors apply to the University of California and other selective colleges and universities. Contact an Elite Prep branch office to speak with one of our experienced counselors about how we can help you get into your dream school.

[apopcornkernel]

one day later and now i wonder if i even like him That much or if it only hurt me bc he's the only safe choice i can ever have and if i can never have him i can never have the life i want

[movedtodykedvonte]

Miles is gonna have the best essay to write for college once all this shit is over in BTSV