UC Essay #1 -- How do you do it w/o sounding like listing accomplishments, etc.?

College Essays
1

<p>How do you do the UC Essay topic #1 without repeating other information in your application and without sounding like you're just listing accomplishments and what not? The prompt is the following:</p>

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<p>Focus: Academic Preparation</p>

<p>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, or becoming involved 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.</p>

<h2>Question: How have you taken advantage of the educational opportunities you have had to prepare for college? *</h2>

<p>I finished mine (a tad bit more than 600 words) but it sounds a bit too cold and as if I was just listing different classes/clubs I've taken and participated in and what not. Could someone help me?</p>

2

<p>yea I'm writing mine right now, (I'm somewhat of a procrastinator) and I'm having the same problem. God I really hate this question. I mean how generic can you get? But seriously, if anyone else out there has written one please share it or your ideas...I promise I won't copy I'm just stuck ...and stressed.</p>

3

<p>You shouldn't use it to relist what you've already stated. Pick one SPECIFIC club or activity or whatever and discuss exactly what/how you learned from that.</p>

4

<p>It's good to target your interests. For example, is there a certain class that you've taken that you didn't have to? Maybe you have more Social science classes than you need, or you focus most of your activities on creative writing. If there's anything unusual about your targeted interest, then you can write about that and how you took advantage of those opportunities or, possibly, you could write about a lack of resources for your interests and how you dealt with that.</p>