COSMOS 2019

about the personal statements/essays, i heard about someone who previously got accepted who actually researched the professors and their work and added that into the essays. personally i thought this sounded like this person was trying too hard, but i guess not since they were accepted? what do you guys think about this?..

@hihm23 i donā€™t think you can ā€œtry too hardā€ on your essays, so if you want to do it, go for it! but if it doesnā€™t fit in with the rest of your essay, donā€™t try to force it.

Hey guys, since apps are due on feb 4th, my school wonā€™t send this semesterā€™s transcript. However, since Iā€™m a Junior this is my hardest schedule so far(4 APā€™s) and I just finished with a 4.0 UW(finals were this week). Is there anywhere I should indicate this or atleast my junior year schedule?

Hi I was wondering what I should put on my ps/cluster writing in order to help me get in? Also what is my likelihood of getting in ucsc cluster 7 based on my stats? Iā€™m a sophomore at a competitive Bay Area school, 4.0 uw, took Algebra 2/Trig and bio last year, and taking pre-calc honors and chemistry honors right now. I donā€™t really have any stem ecs though apart from being a math peer tutor. Oh yeah I was also thinking of only applying for cluster 7, should I apply for another one as well?

Hi Guys, I saw many of you posting your stat and Iā€™m a little confused when I fill out the application. According to this yearā€™s application, the system does not ask for SAT or PSAT scores and it only allows us list 2 related activities. The personal essay has a 300 words limit and I donā€™t think that writing about oneā€™s stat in the essay is a good idea. I rather to write about my passion. Since they just stopped accepting teachersā€™ recommendation, how do you guys showcase your awards, SAT score, rigorous classes and related EC? Thanks.

@glubglubglub You might as well apply to a second one(itā€™s only one 200 word essay more), though Iā€™ve heard that most people either get into their first choice or donā€™t get in.

@NYTXCA I was wondering the same thing. I was hoping to be able to put down my SAT/ACT to help my application but I guess not

this is to anyone out there who is willing to answer but is anyone applying to uciā€™s biomed clusters? kind of want so see whoā€™s thinking of applying this year!

Does anyone know the likelihood that you will actually be placed in the second cluster? I really like number theory at UCSC, but none of the other courses appeal to me at all, but we still have to apply to two. Should I apply to UCSC and hope I get my first choice, or apply to two courses that I am mildly interested in (Mathematics and Intro to Engineering mechanics) at UCD?

hmā€¦ im also wondering about the chance of getting into 2nd choice clusters. im applying to mathematics (1st choice only) and mathematical bio at UCD, but im more interested in mathematical bio

Has anybody had their transcript status changed to received? I sent my transcript about two weeks ago and it still says not received. Should i be worried?

@glubglubglub are you from fremont?

@dsklfjklsegj as long as you send it before the deadline, you should be fine. it takes a while for them to receive it

@lihjtvcie nope, monta vista

What do you normally write about in your personal statement. I have no idea what to write

Tip for rising sophomores (freshmen)ā€” put your 8th grade (put both if you have 2 semesters) report card in one envelope and your 9th grade transcript should be sealed. Sending two envelopes worked for me.

@6565656 Write about an experience in STEM that impacted you, a STEM-related interest you have, an article you read, etc. It just has to show your passion.

Is UCSC Machine Learning (Cluster 9) new this year?

Hi guys, just a few more questions:

  • Does anybody know about UCSC cluster 10? has anybody been there before or is it a newer cluster?
  • Right now my ps is about moving to Silicon Valley and coming to terms/becoming proud with my Chinese American identity after years of bullying and hating the fact that I was Chinese. Should I be writing about something more stem related or is that ok?
  • I need one more academic activity - I was thinking of these few options - being the director of public relations for my schoolā€™s key club (joined freshmen year), played piano since first grade(preparing to take the highest level exam this year), or being on the schoolā€™s track and field team since 7th grade (4 years now)?

Thanks for the help!

@glubglubglub with regards to your ps, lots of applicants will be chinese. you probably know this already, and iā€™m not going to discourage you from making this your ps, but this is just a heads up. might sound a bit rude but your story is not super unique, especially for asians who donā€™t live in south bay/fremont area