<p>So I plan to apply to a variety of UCs (Berkeley, SD, LA, etc.) and I was looking through the personal statement page on Berkeley's website and they said if you are applying to their College of Engineering (which I am) that your personal statement should focus on your major and field of study. Other UCs just seem like they are looking for a more all-around personal statement (hardships and who you are etc.). Berkeley is my number one UC school. With that in mind, should I focus more on my major in my statement to appease Berkeley or find a middle ground?</p>
<p>As a past admissions lead for a top university, I highly recommend tailoring your essays to exactly what is being asked, especially if Berkeley is your top school. When I reviewed essays, it was really easy to tell when an applicant was finding a middle ground to use the same essays for multiple schools – there is no problem with using the same base information as long as you can customize it for each application.</p>