<p>so ive read the decisions results for 2006 and found that GPA and the essay is the most important decisions factor. But i dont know what the UCLA admissions people like to see in the essays. can anyone give me advice on what i should write about cause i think they're bored of people talking about their passion or ec's..... im not sure though.</p>
<p>I think the best advice I can give is to write about something genuine. Don't approach the writing of your essay as...it must be passionate...it must be profound...blah blah...it shouldn't be formulaic. Stick with a topic that's authentic and natural to you personally. This requires some introspection and it might take awhile AND it's different for each person...but once you find that interest/passion to talk about, the writing part becomes that much more easy.</p>
<p>and, HAVE SOMEONE READ THEM!!!
seriously, i wrote my UC essays kind of without caring, because at that point the UCs weren't that high up on my list.
my mom took one look at them and made me rewrite them.
and i'm so grateful she did!!!!
...but even if you write a really decent essay to begin with, it's always useful to have an outside perspective. someone who knows you can tell you if the essay represents you or not, and what is the point of the essays but to illustrate who you are?</p>
<p>my understanding is that the UC system does not care about wonderful writing or eloquence. They use the essays as part of their comprehensive review process, and its very important to make sure the essay contains all the relevant info that buys you points on the comprehensive review. Each UC school does things slightly differently, but you can read an article on how essays are graded at UCSD at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/9akby%5B/url%5D">http://tinyurl.com/9akby</a> </p>
<p>According to that article
[quote]
The essay is not measured for its literary merit, intellectual expression or creative flair – at least not by UCSD admissions readers. Unlike most private elite universities, UCSD admissions readers don't check for spelling, syntax, diction, tone or grammar.</p>
<p>What readers do look for is content. If a student writes about the scope of leadership involved as a club vice president, for example, additional points could be picked up if they had been overlooked in the leadership category.
[/quote]
UCLA is not UCSD, but my guess would be they are treating essays in a similar manner.</p>
<p>True, but the essay will subconsciously affect your image - "If this person doesn't care enough to write correctly, do they care about college?" or "Wow, this is a great essay and it's well-written. This student really cares about their work."</p>
<p>That said, do NOT go writing poetry, or how you find another world in <em>insert subject here</em>. Rather, avoid writing about your thoughts and emotions (go get a blog if you want to do that), and start writing a narrative of an event or series of events.</p>