UC Berkeley Personal Statement

<p>Hi, I was wondering how I should approach the UC personal statement. I'm applying for Berkeley and when I clicked on the major I'm choosing, a box appeared under it saying "Freshman applicants to the College of Engineering are advised to discuss their interest in their intended major in the personal statement."
-Would it be bad if my essays weren't related to my major?
-Would it be enough to just mention my major or do they want me to have it as a main idea?</p>

<p>There is an essay section of the forum for your questions. But isn’t it obvious that they asked you to discuss it? So sure, it would be a misstep. The uc essay asks you to address you hopes and aspirations anyway and it is a wide open essay you can include many things, it doesn’t have to be the whole thing but a mention sounds too trivial. </p>

<p>I am probably going into engineering but I feel like other topics for my personal statement tell my “story” better. If my essays are good, will it still hurt my chances for engineering at a UC? thanks.</p>

<p>The college of engineering reviews applicant by major so showing why you are suited to/interested in your major could really help you out. </p>

<p>If Berkeley specifically tells you to discuss your interest in Engineering, then make sure you devote part of your essays to it. They are looking for STEM extra- and co-curriculars, internships, STEM awards, etc. I saw a chart for Berkeley’s 2014 freshman admittance stats and I believe the acceptance rate for the School of Engineering was 9%.</p>