Personal insight questions
What do you want UC to know about you? Here’s your chance to tell us in your own words. Directions There is one required question you must answer You must also answer 3 out of 7 additional questions Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words Which three questions you choose to answer are up to you: But you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances. There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions: It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice. Remember, the personal questions are just that — personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who are you, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. Required question Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university. Things to consider: How did your interest in your major develop? Do you have any experience related to your major outside the classroom — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, or participation in student organizations and activities? If you haven’t had experience in the field, consider including experience in the classroom. This may include working with faculty or doing research projects. If you’re applying to multiple campuses with a different major at each campus, think about approaching the topic from a broader perspective, or find a common thread among the majors you’ve chosen. (I’ve been around car dealerships a lot for maintenance for my car, so I have been learning lots of terms of leadership and what it is like to actually work there due to the fact that my service advisors do tell me the facts and how the atmosphere is like and terminology.) I was in leadership throughout high school and this allowed me to take initiative and be a leader instead of a follower. Working at the age of 15 1/2 – I was already gaining many experience from working customer service at Jamba Juice and knowing how to manage a group of people and what not since I was able to obtain the management position. 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. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about your accomplishments and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities? Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 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 used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem? How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone? If you’re currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, “How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends, or with my family?” ( I am gay, so I was bullied throughout grade school, middle school, and high school.) Find a way to make it creative somehow but I managed to look pass it by senior year by coming out of the closet to my English class in a ‘Who I really am’ speech that my teacher made us do. 7. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California? Things to consider: Don’t be afraid to brag a little. Even if you don’t think you’re unique, you are — remember, there’s only one of you in the world. From your point of view, what do you feel makes you belong on one of UC’s campuses? When looking at your life, what does a stranger need to understand in order to know you? What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge, or opportunity that you think will help us know you better? We’re not necessarily looking for what makes you unique compared to others, but what makes you, YOU. Choose 3 of the above to write & max of 350 letters per topic.