<p>I've heard different interpretations of what exactly they want in this essay, but was wondering if they were looking more of a personal side from the essay (such as explaining further a meaningful extracurricular or something like that), or something that's more academic (such as explaining bad grades,etc.)?</p>
<p>It's open ended. Use ANYTHING.</p>
<p>IMO, it's a "what pitiful/heartstring-tugging experience have you had that will make the UCs kind/fair for admitting you" sort of essay. I forgot where I read it (most likely a few posters posted something about this here), but it could be a way around affirmative action (shrug). :)</p>
<p>Isnt it also where we are supposed to fit in any IB tests we could not fit in the "ib test form"?</p>
<p>yea it's open ended. the point of the essay is for you to interpret the prompt in the way you think best fits what you want to discuss. the point is for you to talk about anything that hasn't been highlighted yet. it does not necessarily mean further explain a meaningful extracurricular -- in fact, this probably wouldn't do you any good because it doesn't reveal anything that they don't already know. and explaning bad grades can be always added as an addendum (they have a section for this where it's basically "anything else you want us to know?").</p>