Hi, so I was wondering if I have been volunteering at a dog rescue for 4 years would it make a good essay for UC applications if I write about how it taught me how to a move on and how to cope with emotional stress and how it taught me how to overcome our emotions in order to take action on what needs to be done. This is because while volunteering I witnessed many dogs ranging from newborns to 15 years old come in to the rescue in horrible condition from very servere abuse. As well as a time where when I was volunteering, we got a call that a young dog with no tag was running in the grocery parking lot and few minutes before we got there, he had been hit by a car and died. These events impacted how today I am strong enough to surpass emotional trauma in order to provide effective help and address the problems that I face. Another topic for an essay I had was about research on zoo animals physiology I have been doing for my AP research class. Seeing how I’m applying as a zoology/bio major I was wondering if either of these would make good topics for a college essay?
The topic you choose is just background-- the essay needs to be about You. Not about “the time when…” but about you. This is a sales job. Sell your application.
I like the idea of creating an essay about your work in the dog rescue work. In my opinion because the essays are so short it is best to think in terms of a very small concept or idea. Think taking a little watermelon seed and turning it into something with big impact. I like the concept your mention of how your work made you grow as a person. I also think this could be significant because you have worked at it for four years. That shows nice commitment.
I like the dog rescue topic. Just don’t write so many “it taught me” and “impacted how” in the essay. Show, don’t tell.
I think it’s tough to choose a topic that centers around disappointment and that could be a downer, if not done right. And though you’re describing a sort of good will, compassion, and resilience, it’s important to show what you offer the campus community, the people there. That’s also show, not just tell. How are you involved with people/peers, act compassionately, have a record beyond animals, there in your community?
You have many months to finalize this, if you’re a junior.
@StanfordBoi101: Here are the UC essay prompts and you pick 4 from the list. I think you can incorporate your community service with the dog rescue experiences but as stated in the above posts, make it about you.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/index.html
If you can be creative and make it stand out, it’s a good premise. Try to find other options as well. My daughter wrote a couple different outlines before she figured out which one resonated the most.