<p>I've been having trouble deciding which idea to choose for my UC personal statements. I have a few ideas, and I know how I'd write each of them...but I'm curious as to what YOU guys think would sound more interesting for an essay.</p>
<p>3rd Prompt (Open-ended): I've actually finished this one, and don't need much help for ideas. I wrote about how I've developed an interest in sports journalism and enjoy writing.</p>
<p>1st Prompt (Academic Preparation): Okay, here's where I need help. I originally had a statement about how I joined Quiz Bowl, and how even though I was only assigned to study sports & science, I wound up studying a bunch of other random subjects just out of pure intellectual curiosity. My basic point is...I like to know things. I meant everything I said in it, but I wasn't sure how interesting it would come off. (I was going to talk about two specific incidents in which I took a subject [William Jennings Bryan & Claude Monet], even though it seemed to be random, and studied it thoroughly.)</p>
<p>But, I thought perhaps I could talk about Quiz Bowl for my 2nd prompt (Potential to Contribute) as well. I was going to talk about how in my first match ever (right before summer,) I only got 2 questions right the entire tournament. I studied hard over summer, and scored 40 points right off the bat in my first game after summer. </p>
<p>My question to you is...which sounds like a more potentially interesting story to you? Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi, I would suggest using that topic for the first question about educational opportunities.
In the second one you should talk more about special talents you have like music or art or anything else......... leadership?</p>
<p>Sorry to post this on this thread, but I have a similiar dilemma.</p>
<p>I have an essay about passion for science and how I stay up till 5 AM every day for weeks working, trying to perfect my algorithm, and then I talk about how I went to state sci fairs for 4 years without winning anything and about how I drove 3 hours every week to take a class only 2.5 hours long in the first place. It sorta fits with the OPs dilemma. Does this fit for UC Question 1?</p>
<p>Are there any people out there whose essay topics dont completely blow? Quiz bowl? Passion for writing? If anyone needs decent ideas I am packed with them</p>
<p>The point of a personal statement is to find something about yourself and to write it in a manner that makes it interesting.</p>
<p>The point is NOT (at least from my understanding) to get "decent ideas" from someone on an internet forum because that person thinks that your "topics blow." I'd appreciate it if you elaborate on your post and tell me what you think is wrong, because I could use all the help I can get. Otherwise, I take it as an insult when you tell me that my interest in sports journalism "blows."</p>
<p>Anyway, does anyone have any comments on my first post / helpful criticism on my ideas?</p>
<p>unnec. hot--if u want my advice--ignore that guy, b/c he's p-ing everybody off on purpose. </p>
<p>back to your topic--to me, it seems like prompt #1 about all the things you ended up studying. maybe u could put it some cool stuff you've learned that you would have never known otherwise--i do quizbowl and i've found the same thing happens. i just pick up info that i never would have noticed. sounds like a good basis...good luck.</p>
<p>Your interest in sports journalism is only valid if you have ACTED UPON this interest, such as writing for a local sports magazine or pursuing an internship at a newspaper. But if you consider writing for your school paper about the varsity football team "an interest in sports journalism," then it is not worth writing about in an essay.</p>
<p>Though I understand your point, and I understand that anyone who doesn't know me would make the same point...there's a story behind it, I guess. I've grown up thinking that being a doctor was the place for me. My application shows it. I volunteered at a hospital. I worked at a medical clinic. I'm president of a medical services club at my school.</p>
<p>Away from all that, I've always been a sports fan. I started writing for the school paper recently... I wrote an article for the school-parent newsletter when my teacher needed it. I've corresponded with a LA Times Journalist about what to do. I know this doesn't sound like much, since it really isn't, but the basic point of my essay <em>isn't</em> to show the UCs that I have experience in the professional field of journalism...it's to show them that I'm not one-dimensional. I'm not one of those stereotypical people with my application that studies science and math all day and not much else. I have another side to me.</p>
<p>If that still doesn't seem impressive enough, I'd like to hear it, because once again, I appreciate any criticism. Though, My point wasn't to impress with that particular statement though. My point was to show them another side of me.</p>