I recently applied to the UC system. There was a gap in my education after high school because of financial difficulties and undecided career choice. I received an alert saying I need to explain these dates. How do I explain these gaps? Do I need to submit documents for proof?
Basically the UCs are hella paranoid that you took classes at some university not listed on your application.
I had 2+ years of not knowing what I wanted to do so I just said I was working during that time.
So just explain I was working and didn’t know what to do with my life? There is an option to upload documents. Do i upload a picture of my face or wut?
Don’t even mention the part about not knowing what to do with your life.
Just tell them you were working; maybe list the place of employment and the dates.
You don’t need to upload anything unless they ask. Basically it’s all on the honor system.
thanks mang
They just want some idea. A lot of people out of high school don’t have their lives together or are not ready. Tip: they love the failure or uncertainty route leading to a focused direction. This shows you overcame an obstacle. So, if you really just didn’t know what to do or didn’t have your life together, due to financial, personal, etc. feel free to explain it. Then maybe mention briefly the turning point. BTW, if they are sending you this in order to understand the gap, you are in the undecided pile, but still in contention. So think it out. Really show the obstacle (even if just immaturity), transition and direction you gained.
@indyk8
They aren’t asking about the gap to get to know him better i.e. a reason to admit him. They are just hella paranoid that people aren’t reporting grades on their application. The best option is to NOT confuse them with a drawn out life story. Simply state the fact that you were working and make it clear that you weren’t attending college.
BTW I got the same email last year so I made it crystal clear I was working from years 08-12 in my additional comments section this year.
Agree with @bomerr . They only want to account for missing time- it’s not a way to get to know an applicant. I just said I worked full time for the gaps. I didn’t say, where, doing what, or anything.
If you get the supplemental, you are not in the immediate accept pile, nor are you in the immediate reject pile. You are in the middle pile, which means exactly how it sounds. A UC counselor told me the supplemental goes out to the middle tier, which makes sense. Sometimes it might go to a person with a disability or a special talent who actually might not be in that tier. Numerous students I’ve been in contract with, had gaps but did not get supplementals, but they were pretty high up the ladder.
While this can be debated back and forth, the fact that they want more info means you’re not in the auto-accept pile. I would use the opportunity to write strong answers to the questions, as you are competing with others for space.
While these are in no way definitive, I just grabbed two examples of the purpose of the supplemental, which although worded less ominously, is basically how I somewhat interpreted it by the UC rep. (I might leave out the word borderline.)
http://askmssun.livejournal.com/235757.html
Forbes, about halfway down:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonma/2011/12/20/what-it-takes-to-get-into-uc-berkeley/
I would not be blasé or take anything for granted. Write strong! And I’m not talking drawn out life story. I said what I said, if you read it. It can be four well-thought-out lines.
One other quick thing. The supplemental is not sent out to check education. If you lied in the app, you’re not about to fess up in the supplemental. The UCs use the National Student Clearinghouse to check education records, if they have a concern. It takes 30 seconds.
Here’s another reason you never know what the supplementals are all about: more Hispanic and black applicants to UCLA get supplementals based on 2012 study.
@lindyk8
Gaps in education isn’t the supplement.
"Dear XXX,
We have received your University of California Undergraduate Application for Admission and Scholarships.
Thank you for your interest in our campus.
We are in the process of reviewing your application. Before we can complete our review and reach an
admission decision, we need an explanation for the gaps in your educational history during the following
time period: MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY
Please provide a timeline outlining your work and educational experiences during this time. You are
required to submit transcripts from any foreign University work completed prior to attending XXX.
We must receive this information within five days of the date of this message, or processing of your
application may be delayed or canceled."
P.S. that essay in your link about a scolding mother isn’t very good. I don’t think that was the reason she got in. The supplemental essays are really good tho.
Any time they ask for supplemental information, I call it a supplement. 
Which essay about a scolding mother? I don’t remember putting any essays up.
I just saw what you copied and pasted. I believe that is considered a supplemental, as most of the UCs have different supplementals for different situations (talent/hardship,etc). At least, that’s what I call what you posted, but I may be wrong. 
Either way, I would give the answer some thought. You’re still in evaluation mode and it’s a chance not many have to enhance the application, whichever way that might be.
I think you are both right.
The UCs specifically want to know what you did in that time period. So don’t mention your important volunteer work from this year, or the award you won the year before. Stick to the straight answer.
However, if ‘u respd lik dis’, it could harm your application, so take it seriously.
Now, see how succinctly @luckie1367 said that? :))
@lindyk8
nah man that isn’t a supplement. I got three of those emails regarding different issues in my application. Specifically my gap in education, the languages i speak, and the HS i attended.
Read your forbes link to see the bad mother essay and scroll past it to read the real supplemental question. Real as in they actually help an applicant out.