<p>The date is getting near! /pukes
Okay, now that I'm done with that...I have a huge concern.
I don't understand the personal statements.
The first one pretty much ask about how I got into my major. In all honesty, I didn't even like (kinda hated) biology (my major) and only did it because my parents wanted me to become a doctor. It wasn't until I got a not-so-good grade in biology class that I felt like I got a wake up call and really started to like it as I went beyond the school's curriculum. Would a topic like this be ok? I unfortunately don't have any competitions or anything to really prove that I did study a lot though.
Second one is about a quality about myself.
To me, this is incredibly difficult. I asked friends, family, teachers (pretty much everyone who knew me) for a decent quality but most of them said really generic words like "nice" [except my family who harmoniously said that I was lazy...thanks] which honestly annoyed me.
But I don't even understand what type of quality they're even looking for? Do they actually mean "nice" or "hardworking"? </p>
<p>For the first prompt, I’d completely skip the whole “my parents forced me” thing because it doesn’t talk about why YOU “love” biology. What was the subject that motivated you to do better? Is it because you liked it? Do you want to work in that area? Elaborate on why YOU study biology.</p>
<p>For the second, if you cannot come up with a quality to write about, what about a talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you? Those are the other options.</p>
<p>Is this for real? I’ll be frank with you, you are the reason they invented the personal statement, to weed out those who lack any self confidence or direction. At least, this is how you just portrayed yourself to us in your question You want us to help you find a way to get excited about the major you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on? </p>
<p>Why would any UC want someone who doesn’t care about their major and has no idea if he has any positive qualities? That’s the real question you should be asking yourself, not how we can help you create a fictitious PS statement.</p>
<p>I mean come on.</p>
<p>Ah, thanks for the reply.
@fullload
Sorry, I’m really tired, that’s not really what I was trying to say.
I meant, I love biology but it’s just not something I feel like I can mention in a personal statement without talking about what made me so reluctant about it as well. A friend told me to talk only about the positive things so I’ve been having mixed feelings. Like I was constantly under controlling parents so part of it disliking biology was that I felt like if I liked it, I would be just following my parents. I’m not trying to say that it’s just my parents fault because or be extra whiney (again, that’s probably because I’m super drowsy right now). But I wanted to talk about how much that subject changed me. Ugh I hope this makes sense.
And yea, for the positive characteristic. I don’t have a talent or a quality that I like about myself. Is it really that strange? “I really like seeing the positive side of things to the point it’s insane” would have been the characteristic that I would have used if I really was at rock bottom. But I personally really don’t want to use this as my personal statement. </p>
<p>Here’s the thing. UC’s are looking for motivated, confident students who are passionate about their major. It’s that simple. If you do not possess those traits, you might want to consider another avenue for education. You’re asking us to help you find ways to lie in your statement. I mean you’ve said it again, you don’t like yourself and have no redeeming qualities. We’re not counselors and I’m sorry if that sucks to hear. I can give you ways to lie about yourself and really butter up your PS, but in the long run, that’s not going to help you succeed in an environment where everyone surrounding you is dedicated to their major and believes in themselves.</p>
<p>I’m just one opinion. I’m sure someone will come along and make you feel warm and fuzzy. They will also slam me, so that will make you feel better too. :)</p>
<p>Um…I’m really curious on why you’re acting as if I was asking for a pity party. I don’t recall saying that I didn’t like myself. If I did…sorry, I lied. It’s not that I don’t like myself. Just no characteristic comes into my mind. But this is new. So does this mean that when asked about a redeeming quality, a normal person will have a quality in mind? Really? Lol maybe I really should go see a counselor (but for what, I don’t know).
Okay, let me simplify things because I guess what I wrote was indeed long and fluffy:
- In the beginning I didn’t like my major but this changed; it has changed me as well. Could I write about disliking my major initially? Would this hurt me a lot?
- Are colleges really looking for students to write about characteristics like hardworking or optimistic? Any tips or ways to not sound really narcissistic? (this is new)
That’s really it. I wasn’t asking someone to lie for me. I wasn’t complaining that I didn’t like myself. I never said I wasn’t dedicated to my major. I sort of understand where you’re getting this from as I reread my responses but that’s really not where I’m trying to bring this.
@fullload </p>
<p>Well, if you indeed have turned around your feelings for your major and are excited about it now, sure, talk about that. But I wouldn’t emphasize that you “hated it” at first. Maybe just focus on the events that got you excited about it and stay away from anything negative. Good luck.</p>
<p>first of all, don’t let fullload get to you. Acknowledge it, but you know yourself best. We’re (well, i’m already done with cc) all trying to transfer and better ourselves academically. When I was applying, I was still unsure of my major and liked different things and I picked diff majors for different schools. Judge me, and I didn’t think it would work, but I got into all the UCs I applied to (including berkeley and ucla). Fulload says: “UC’s are looking for motivated, confident students who are passionate about their major.” Who the hell can tell you you’re not passionate and motivated? I mean, I don’t know if you are, but only you can determine that. And also, only 3-4 UCs read the personal statement. </p>
<p>Anyways, in my opinion
- It’s totally okay to write that! Just don’t spend so many paragraphs writing about the time you hated biology. If you balance it out (1 paragraph talking about your hatred of bio and the next 3 or 4 about your love for it later on), then it’s fine. However, it seems kinda hard to write about how you went “beyond the school curriculum.” Also, you don’t have to write about how you studied (or not studied) for it a lot. UCs can determine that by looking at your grades. They want to know why you LIKE it. </p>
<ol>
<li>like another user said, you don’t have to talk about a quality. You have plenty of options. And I repeat again, you know yourself best. So, don’t ask people what is a good quality about yourself. They only know what you show. </li>
</ol>
<p>PM me or ask me if you need more help :)</p>
<p>Can you tell us what made your thinking switch? We might be able to tell you how to phrase it better.</p>
<p>There has to be some experience that has defined you. Or an accomplishment, or a talent. Think back in the last 3 or so years about your most memorable moments. Can you use those to write about?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I agree with fullload a bit. UC wants to see that you have a passion for bio. I would avoid writing about anything that could be read as “my parents chose my major for me”, “I want to make a lot of cash”, or “I hate my major”. And that’s what the first part of your post read as to me. Honestly right now I’m still not sure you want to major in Bio, it sounds like you’re studying hard for it but it still sounds like it was your parent’s idea. If you can find a way to rephrase that to sound more like it was actually your choice to major in biology, I think it would read better. You could also leave out the part where your parents told you what to major in, and talk about how you were taking a bio class and it sparked your interest in the subject. Seriously, it’s your major, talk about why you like it.</p></li>
<li><p>As someone else with no redeeming qualities that came to mind, writing about an accomplishment might be easier. When’s the last time you were actually proud of something you did? An achievement/project you wanted to tell people about, to show off? Try starting there instead, it’s more concrete and a bit less braggy, so you might have better ideas if you step away from qualities.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Hi @jazzy4monkey, </p>
<p>I’m sorry if I am repeating anything above but I don’t like reading negative stuff when young ppl are asking for advice so I basically jumped to the end.</p>
<p>I understand what you are asking and your dilemma. Forced into a major that your parents thrust on you when you were still undecided. However a light went on during one class and you’re now totally jazzed.</p>
<p>This is not uncommon, esp in families where a lot is expected. I agree with @luckie1367 don’t mention the part about parents forcing you. You could say that you always wanted to be a doctor, but wondered early on if you could cut it… You could say a lot of pressure from family that added to some self-doubt. Then it was like fireworks, this one class realigned your thinking. And then go into your passion, why you want to be a doctor, what are some things you hope to accomplish (more along the lines of helping community rather than pleasing parents). They know you don’t have experience and rather than talk about classes talk about your vision. </p>
<p>Also they appreciate self-doubt. It reflects honesty, so a little of that makes you real in their eyes. The key is that you keep it light, and that you are focused and committed NOW. (In other words, you grew, you gained stamina, you realized you have what it takes…) I mean, unless you’re a sociopath, who wouldn’t have some inner doubts about being a top-notch doctor at some point? Every movie star who plays a brainiac doctor in an oscar-rated movie suffered through self-doubt. ;)</p>
<p>This is a perfect major to go on a medical mission volunteer trip, but you might not be able to fit it in, or afford it. They have two week trips where you just go help out with regular vaccines and pills. You don’t need medical experience. You could also volunteer a couple of hours a week at a low income free clinic sort of place.</p>
<p>BTW, try and add at least one small story in the essay - so readers can picture a scene, whether it was watching an experiment, seeing doctors in action, even if it is only a couple of sentences.</p>
<p>Re second essay, most kids your age can’t figure out a quality, the UCs know that. They just want to hear something about you. Maybe it’s a slice of life that adds something. Maybe a cultural event, a situation with a friend where you learned something, a musical talent that you can paint a story around, a grandparent who taught you something, an unusual experience you had. Just make sure you talk about YOU and not the other person - and how you grew or learned something new about yourself, etc. </p>
<p>Told you. Plenty of warm and fuzzy responses to balance out my “big meanie” response. Good luck. :)</p>