<p>Applying to UCLA as Psych major, and UC Berkeley as Legal Studies major.
Eventually, I want to end up in Law School, thus my interest in Legal Studies major which is, by the way, not offered at UCLA. In addition, I love Psychology, so it easily became my major choice for UCLA.</p>
<p>For University of California (any campus) it is critically important to express interest in your chosen major. Now, the problem is that both UC's get to read the very same essay (because the application is one for all 8 schools), so how to creatively put these two ideas together? I heard that UCLA and UCB don't like to admit those who "just want to get in either one" because both are great institutions, so I'd like to construct my essay in a way that each school will feel that they're my #1 choice.
Note: I'm not going to apply to UC Berkeley for Psych major for a variety of reasons, so please, don't say "just apply for Psych at both".</p>
<p>Please, help :)</p>
<p>The UC prompts have not changed for several years. It might be the same again this year. Perhaps you should consider your topics for the prompts first.</p>
<p>Prompt #1 (freshman applicants)
Describe the world you come from for example, your family, community or school and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.</p>
<p>Prompt #2 (all applicants)
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Your interest can be shown much more through your activities. I read many UC essays last year for high school seniors and I don’t remember any that talked about their intended major. They all got into top/mid tier UCs. Some even as Regents Scholars.</p>
<p>wait…which prompt does “interest in your major” fit into?</p>
<p>Some people go in undecided… so I don’t really think it’s “critically important to express interest in your chosen major”. Just show that you’re passionate about the activities you do, certain subjects, etc.</p>
<p>Could OP be a transfer applicant? They have a different Prompt 1, which directly involves the major being applied to.</p>
<p>The only solution I see is to talk about both fields, but identify neither as your chosen major.</p>
<p>“Two fields have always fascinated me: law and psychology. Though I can only major in one, I hope to explore the relationship between the two during my studies at the University of California. So much of our legal system is drawn from human psychology; one might question the logic of our common law system, in particular, which exists out of a respect for tradition and a need for consistency, rather than a search for truth.”</p>
<p>Not too good, but you get the idea. It’s a stretch, but if crafted carefully you may be able to pull it off.</p>
<p>wow Nick, thank you. that is enormously helpful!</p>
<p>and yes, I’m the transfer applicant, and we get the “tougher” one (which kind of makes sense, by Junior year you BETTER know what major you’re going with). :)</p>
<p>sorry for the delayed response, I thought my thread had been abandoned</p>