How much do UCs value Essays?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I was wondering how much emphasis UCs put in essays if you have solid test scores and grades? My parents keep bugging me to work on it, even though I'm reusing 2 of them from my Stanford EA app and already made a mediocre third short essay. Should I work hard on the UCs or should I save my effort for other reach schools in the East Coast? Let me know what you think. I am applying to Berkeley, UCSD, UCLA, Davis, and Irvine.</p>

<p>I am ELC
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.19</p>

<p>SAT I: M760 V720 = 1480</p>

<p>Writing: 800
U.S. History: 740
Math IIC: 800</p>

2

<p>Well, Cal is the only UC you don't have a 100% chance at with those stats, so focus on that one and forget about the others</p>

3

<p>uhh its the same essay for all UC's lol</p>

4

<p>How many essays you doing. when I applied their was only 1 essay.</p>

5

<p>There are 2 'mini-essays' and a longer essay w/ 600 words these days :)</p>

6

<p>At Davis, as a component of comprehensive review, the essays are used to find out more about the student. I was surprised that they are not judged on how well they are written, but are simply used to glean possible "bonus points" for things such as overcoming hardship, being the first in the family to attend college, leadership roles, etc. </p>

<p>UCD has their comprehensive review criteria posted for anyone to read, while many of the other UCs are quite close lipped about their criteria. </p>

<p>I suggest searching on the individual UC websites for essay criteria and reading carefully the information on the specific department web-sites for helpful hints. For example, Engineering applicants to UC Berkeley MUST address in their essay(s) why they want to study engineering.</p>

7

<p>Hrm, I have read also that UC Berkeley applicants has to address why they want to do engineering, but it is getting kind of late for doing a completely new one. I got lazy and reused my Stanford essay, which is pretty good, for my UC app. I also read that we shouldnt do that either. Sigh, well, should I just apply under college of letters and sciences for Berkeley, and do I need to talk about engineering for the other schools also?</p>

<p>Edit: More info
ELC
Unweighted GPA: 4.0</p>

<p>Most rigorous courseload. 3 APs last year and got 5,4,4 on them.</p>

<p>SAT I: M760 V720 = 1480
Writing: 800
U.S. History: 740
Math IIC: 800</p>

<p>Good ECs and well rounded. ie (asst. concertmaster of orchestra, production manager of newspaper, captain of varsity golf, mock trial )</p>

<p>My first essay was on Mock Trial, second on journalism and highlighted my skills that i can bring to the college paper, and third was a story about my innovation.</p>

<p>I really don't want to pull out another essay in a week, especially since Thanksgiving is around the corner. Sigh...</p>

8

<p>i think u have a 100% chance at all the UCs u are instate as well. even if u were outta state all the UCs are a shoe-in for u.</p>