<p>I intend to major in Sociology/Peace and Conclict Studies. I have ideas for how my interest developed, but am stuck on the experience part.. Have you heard of anyone that got admitted and only talked about how their interest arose?</p>
<p>I mean, there are a lot of opportunities out there for math, science and engineer students to gain experience. It's rare to hear about internships for Sociology, or Philosophy majors.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation here as a polisci major. Would it be okay to completely omit experience part given that I have no experience?</p>
<p>I am a recent transfer to Cal from a CC. I can tell you that this prompt was the hardest for me last year when I applied. I too was a history major with little to no experience in my field. However what I did was I spent the majority of my essay talking about how I got into the field and then I talked a little about my intended future plans within this area, and I concluded with a small paragraph relating some of my volunteer work I did that summer to my major and future career. I said I wanted to be a teacher and that when I volunteered a community food bank I was able to see how important government funded programs are when they are properly funded…this I talked about education needing more funding and blah blah blah. I know it sounds like a stretch but I managed to make it work and voila! I made it to Cal! haha. SO I say use any experience you’ve had whether it be a classroom project, volunteer experience, a school club, and just make it seem important and like it had an impact. You’ll be surprised to learn as your writing that the experience actually did have a large impact on your life! Your essays dont have to be so literal. They know that as a CC transfer you will most likely have not worked in your field yet, you havent been to school yet! So get creative, and be passionate in your essays! </p>
<p>hope this helped. ( :</p>
<p>i know the question asks about how you have prepared for your major and your experience in the field. even though it doesnt ask, do they want to know what you want to do with your major though? like what you want to be later on in your career? and would it be a good idea to spend a paragraph on it?</p>
<p>@paniickd That was really helpful! Thanks alot. Best luck at Cal :-)</p>
<p>@raymondloi yup you should discuss your long-term goals .</p>
<p>@raymondloi You should be brief about your long-term goals, one to three sentences would be good. However, admissions officers want to see what you have already done to prepare for your major so they can determine that it is the right field for you.</p>
<p>@paniikd: have you started at cal yet? i cant remember if you were a spring admit or not from last year. how difficult is the history major at cal?!</p>
<p>I haven’t started, I’m starting in January. In fact I spent all day at Orientation. I can tell you right now it is going to be tough. On average you read about 600 pages (a whole book) a week…also apparently the History Department at Cal was recently ranked as the best in the world, it beat out Hardvard, Yale and Oxford! Yeah…I was amazed too lol. So in other words, in the next few months you guys probably wont be hearing from me too much. haha</p>
<p>oooooommmmmmmmggggggggggggggggggg that sounds deadly x_x but doable if you just make sure to stay on top of things…
and yeah i knew that berkeley had a fabulous department…part of the reason I’d give a toe or a finger to go. Good luck!! and pleeeaasseee dont forget to tell us how your first semester at berkeley goes!</p>
<p>i’m stuck too in some ways. I’m lingering too much on how courses I took led me to my major but not at all about experiences and future plans D:</p>