topic #1, 200 words.
Rationale: The University seeks to enroll students who take initiative in pursuing their education (for example, developing a special interest in science, language or the performing arts; involvement in educational preparation programs including summer enrichment programs, research, or academic development programs such as EAOP, MESA, Puente, COSMOS or other similar programs.) This question seeks to understand a student’s motivation and dedication to learning.
Question: How have you taken advantage of the educational opportunities you have had to prepare for college?
this is the essay i’m the most worried about. tell me what you think, please.
My counselor’s brow furrowed as I handed her my course selection form. “Two AP classes, two honors. Well, it’s a challenging schedule, but I’m sure you’re up to it.” I nodded obediently, feeling my stomach sink toward the vicinity of my toes. Everybody else seemed sure that I could face any number of collegiate classes and emerge smiling in victory. Was I the only one uncertain of my abilities? At this point, I made the decision to assuage my doubts and enroll in an actual college summer session in order to test my ability to handle a difficult course load. That night, I registered in a UCSD class imposingly titled Comparative Government and Politics and sacrificed a month of my precious summer. I spent my days in a chilly classroom, memorizing acronyms like PAC and GDP. To my horror, I discovered that my grade depended upon just two tests and a paper. I forced myself to manage my time and rely upon my own analytical skills, giving myself assignments that helped me to understand the material. In essence, I became my own teacher. My reward was an “A” in the class; more importantly, I proved to myself that I could excel not just in high school and college, but beyond.
<p>My counselor’s brow furrowed as I handed her my course selection form. “Two AP classes, two honors. Challenging schedule, but I’m sure you’re up to it.” I nodded obediently, feeling my stomach sink toward the vicinity of my toes. Everybody seemed sure that I could face any number of collegiate classes and emerge victorious. Was I the only one uncertain of my abilities? At this point, I made the decision to assuage my doubts and enroll in an actual college summer session in order to test my ability to handle a difficult course load. Enrolled a class grandly titled Comparative Government and Politics, I spent my days in a chilly classroom, memorizing statistics and acronyms. My grade was wholly dependent upon a midterm and a final; I had never encountered this system before. I forced myself to manage my time and relied upon my analytical skills, giving myself homework assignments. I was a teacher, making up the lesson plan as I went along. On the last day of class, I discovered that I had earned an “A”. My preview of college life was well worth a month of my precious summer; it gave me the confidence I needed to succeed in my junior year and well beyond.</p>
<p>I'm doing the same essay for the UC's and, for what it's worth, I took it a little more literally. Technically you answer the question, but you seem to have a good amout of "fluff." While my Stanford essays were a little more artistic and linguistically creative, my UC essays are more informative -- I got the sense that it was more important to get the information across. Maybe your approach is better though. </p>
<p>(I had completely forgotten that the UC app is due in a week...I just need to pound those essays out.)</p>
<p>i think it's perfectly fine...maybe alittle more 'voice'. im almost positive it doens't have to be that fancy--be 'terse' is what im always hearing. but i talked to an adcom from UC irvine and they love examples (at all UCs) and stories of trials and tribulations of students and how they succeeded. i wrote my essay almost the same as yours except i used different examples where i personally got my school to open more ap classes because they had ran out of them for me. good job</p>
<p>I did something similair - I also took a class at UCSD and I included that in my essay. I talked about a few things that revolve around the main point of my essay (taking AP classes and suceeding in the class). I'm having trouble with this essay as well, my 600 word one is much MUCH stronger. The only thing I can think of to suggest is making the tone a little more personal. Overall, I think it's good. GL to the both of us =)!</p>
<p>i agree with Ucaligirl...the UCs want insight to you as a person, i.e. specific examples of the problem and how you solved it. if anyone has any questions about UC i visited almost every single one and talked to adcoms from many of them--just email me or IM or whatever</p>