Hello all.
I’m having trouble answering the required question for the UC prompt.
Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.
Do they want a story or anything fancy? I feel like they just want me to lay down a resume but I’d figure that it wouldn’t be an interesting read for the admissions officers.
How can I answer the question fully but also make it kind of interesting for the to read?
Any pointers would be great! Thanks.
I spoke with a UCD Admissions officer and she said the question is really badly worded.
She said (and I’m not sure if what this is all the schools are looking for) it’s meant to be pretty much a why did you pick this major, what you’ve done to explore the career you’d like to go into (like major related extra curricular, but also don’t list, because they already have that list, weave it into the story).
Hello:
I am a UC Berkeley graduate. I also completed a mentor program at UC Berkeley that assists applicants in applying to universities. Additionally, I am an editor for a living (and also edit college application essays/ personal statements.)
Regarding the application statement: Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.
My suggestion is to respond in an essay format. When writing your response, think about your high school coursework, extra curricular activities, volunteering, hardships and adversity that you have faced in school or at home, etc.
Many, not all, universities look at who you are as a person- not just what you have accomplished in school. They want to know that you will represent the institution and the community well long after you graduate. They want to know that you won’t drop-out when adversity arises (in school or in personal life). Believe me, it gets stressful especially when you attend prestigious, highly competitive universities.
Think to yourself, what are the qualities that I am proud of? Perseverance, facing challenges head-on, not quitting, always trying to better yourself and learn knew things, admitting when you are wrong and improving yourself, etc?
This is what you write about.
Good luck.
Talia (Turkwriter)
Thank you! That helped a lot.