<p>I'm applying for Fall 08 and according the universityofcalifornia.edu webpage I have 1,000 for both prompts. What about the 3rd question, the open ended question. I can't think of anything else that I would want to write about. Should I leave it blank or come up with something? And if I write an answer for the 3rd question do I have to shorten my other essays? Right now I have 911 words for both prompts. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>The third prompt is there only for those who have something to add. If you don't need to explain anything, you don't need to write anything. (;</p>
<p>by open-ended question do you guys mean the additional comments box?</p>
<p>That's the one I'm talking about.</p>
<p>You might be confused with the prompts used last year and prior. This year there are only two prompts. The third prompt, the open ended prompt, is no longer a personal statement question.</p>
<p>@UCD Admissions:</p>
<p>That's interesting, I was sort of figuring it was an optional third portion to the personal statement.</p>
<p>Could you clarify a couple of things? Does it count against the 1,000 word limit? And, will it be more likely to be read by those universities that don't generally read the personal statement? I'd like to concisely explain my post-war dilettantism, and I'm not sure if I should risk burying it my prompt 2 response.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. You must be the most responsive admissions counselor(s) in the UC system. (;</p>
<p>--Joe</p>
<p>Since the additional comments section is not part of the personal statement it does not count as part of the 1000 word limit. This section should no be used to expand the personal statement. This space should be used to discuss citizenship/visa issues, alternate names and/or unusual grading/school systems. It should not be used to expand the personal statement prompts.</p>
<p>Superb, makes sense. Thanks for your help. (;</p>
<p>I don't know if suggestions go anywhere, but I was sort of confused by the fact that the additional comments section is titled "Personal Statement (Part 3 of 3)" and has a word count function. It might be tripping some people up.</p>
<p>Thanks again,
Joe</p>
<p>So basically anything can go there? I put a couple sentences about me getting D's in a class and then making it up with an A in winter/summer school just in case my class grades or future transcript don't make it clear enough.</p>