<p>I was applying the UC schools as an Mechanical Engineering major and the UC application told me (when I clicked on my major) that I would need to discuss my interest in Engineering in the UC Personal Statement. If all the engineering hopefuls will be discussing their interest in Engineering, how can we keep our personal statements from being really cliche? </p>
<p>I guess I'm assuming that everyone would write about their interest in the first prompt... not sure if that's a good assumption.</p>
<p>I’m assuming that some of your extracurricular activities reflected your interest in engineering. You could write about how those experiences helped solidify your interest in engineering. Just be genuine, but try and avoid going along the lines of, “Ever since I was a little boy…”</p>
<p>Think back to when and how you became interested in engineering. Share your own personal stories relating to engineer with admissions. Be specifc and your uniqueness will shine through. </p>
<p>Good luck! : )</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my interest in Engineering has developed mostly in this last year. So my ECs are pretty much Art and Music related.</p>
<p>That’s OK, admissions understands that students are still growing and learning of their interests, might even change majors several times in college. Consider including in your essay how your art and music experiences make you a better engineer (show them you understand how to apply skills learned in one subject to another, this can be very powerful in your essay).</p>
<p>Where did it tell you to talk about engineering? I also am applying to UC schools as a engineering major and have seen no such requirement.</p>
<p>I started to fill out the application online and when I selected my major, it said "Freshman applicants to the College of Engineering are advised to discuss their interest in their intended major in the personal statement (transfer applicants are required to discuss their interest in their intended major). "</p>
<p>Thursday is right, and most schools ask you to do this when applying for engineering. </p>
<p>Edit: While it’s not required, it’s recommended. And since Thursday doesn’t have many EC’s reflecting this interest, it would be in his best interest to wright about why engineering interests him. </p>
<p>@Thrusday8: What got you interested in engineering in the first place? Perhaps you could write about that and why you’re interested in a particular field of engineering.</p>
<p>So would it be a good idea to write that as the “how your environment shaped your dreams” “achievement that makes you proud” or “additional comments” section?</p>
<p>Well since you don’t have any EC’s that reflect your interest in engineering, I don’t think that you have any big achievements in that field (if you do say otherwise), so I wouldn’t write it there. Depending on how you were inspired to go into engineering, you could write about that for the first prompt. How were you inspired to go into engineering? If you can’t write about it in either prompts, then definitely mention it in the “additional comments” section of the application.</p>
<p>yeah. I was kind of thinking prompt #1. My math and science achievements are mostly lame (I did write a cool research paper once, but it was about chemistry-related stuff), so I think using prompt #1 talking about how I developed an interest in engineering is a good idea.</p>
<p>As far as how I became interested, it was definitely a process of me thinking about what I really liked. I realized that I really like math and science courses. When I read magazines, newspapers etc Science and Tech sections were my favorite. And just in general I like being creative, solving problems, and making useful things. So when I decided I was interested, I talked to some people including my uncle, who is an Engineer. Eventually he gave me a tour of the Engineering program at a local university where he works. That was a major step in deciding that Engineering was for me because I could see that I would enjoy learning the practical as well as the theoretical side of Engineering. < not an actual essay, just an explanation</p>
<p>Like I said, it might be a good idea. It all depends on if you can successfully relate something in your life that led to your interest in engineering.</p>
<p>For example, your dad’s an engineer and you took the time to sit down and see what he does. Some famous historical figure inspired you while reading about him in class. You visit New York City and while looking at all of the magnificent buildings and bridges your are inspired to go into civil or structural engineering.</p>
<p>What do I do if I have multiple influences? I’m driving myself crazy trying to figure out exactly how and when my interest in engineering began and developed.</p>