<p>So I'm applying to four UCs on my app because the fee waiver lets me get 4 for free, and the department I want to go into is really good at one specific UC. I have interest in this UC the most and if I didn't get into the other 3 because I mentioned a specific UC I would be ok as long as it helped me get into the one I want to get into. Should I mention it anyway as I know the program in-depth or will it not help my chances at all?</p>
<p>it’s a high risk because you might end up getting into none of the UCs. the other UCs will see it as favoring school. I heard some high GPA students got denied to lower tier UCs because they seem like they wouldn’t attend the school upon admission. Same might happen since there is favoring going on.</p>
<p>Figure out which of your UCs actually read personal statements, it might be a non-issue. Otherwise I’d say rephrase it to either be more general (maybe broadly mention that UC overall has an amazing ___ department?) or leave it out altogether.</p>
<p>No this is not true, trust me. I have seen many, many people get accepted. The UC’s don’t care if you favor one school. You paid to apply to their school, so they do not care. Plus, only UCB and UCLA even read the personal statement if that is where you mentioned it. In my own add. comments, I said I want to go to UC Berkeley. This is not grounds for rejection from other schools.</p>
<p>It depends on which UC you’re talking about. Berkley, UCLA, UCI, and UC Merced are the only campuses that use the Personal Statements when making a decision…if the UC you are talking about is not one of those four, it’s probably a very bad idea. If it is one of them, then I suppose it can only help. I myself did just that and I feel like it helped.</p>
<p>thanks guy Im leaning towards it now</p>
<p>I don’t think that you should phrase it as “I really want to go to UC__ because of their specific program.” I think you should be fine describing your major and <em>area of interest</em> specifically and describe how your existing strengths will help you exceed. The UCs know they have great programs that would benefit a lot of students, but why would you as a student benefit these programs?</p>
<p>Shannon you are right, but if you put “I want to be a part of UC<em>'s </em>_ department because I can bring my passion etc. to the program”, I think that is a plus.</p>