<p>another thought is to also apply to merced (<a href="http://www.ucmerced.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ucmerced.edu/</a>)</p>
<p>I already know that I will probably get accepted into UCR and UCM if I appied. However, If that is all I can do now, then I'd rather go to a CSU campus, then transfer to a better UC campus for my master's. I will only go to a UC if I can get into UCSC and up.</p>
<p>It's worth a try for UCI or UCD, even at 3.1 because there are other things they look at. I wrote an essay that reflected my writing strength and it was so good it put people to tears. I think that helped get me into UCD because my GPA wasn't very good.</p>
<p>Speaking of the essays, do they have to follow the whole introduction-body-conclusion deal?</p>
<p>There are no rules really.</p>
<p>And do you know if they look more at the structure of the essays (grammer, flow, use of big words, etc.), or the actual meanings and emphasis behind them?</p>
<p>"On Writing the College Application Essay" by Harry Bauld. It should be required reading for anyone who has to write an essay.</p>
<p>I've always thought that UCSC and UCR are equivalent in terms of admission difficulty. If you think you can get into UCR without any problems, then you should be able to get into UCSC just as easily.
The content of your essay always outweighs your mastery of literary devices and whatnot. They don't care about how proficient you are at grammar (although it is necessary for them to understand what you're trying to convey) or usage of big words, because that is shown in your SAT scores and GPA. What you should emphasize in your essay is something that the admission officers cannot see by simply glancing over your grades and SAT scores.</p>
<p>In addition to Bauld, I recommend "Acing the College App" by Michele Hernandez. While her ideal candidate more than walks on water, it has good tips on a personal statement.</p>
<p>The essays are way for the UCs to get to know you, the applicant. It's not for you to show your superior writing abilities, that's what they UC Analytical Writing Test is for.</p>
<p>I think that it's easier to get into UCI than UCD, because UCD is more statistical numbers like the formula UCSD has laid out and UCI is more subjective.</p>
<p>UC analytical writing test? When am i supposed to take that?</p>
<p>hye345:
If you haven't found this web site yet, I suggest you look it over.
<a href="https://www.ucgateways.org/index.cfm...el2=2&level3=0%5B/url%5D">https://www.ucgateways.org/index.cfm...el2=2&level3=0</a>
It has step-by-step directions for working out your personal statement, and tells you exactly what the admissions staff is looking for.
I think the UC analytical writing test is the one given in May, after you are admitted, to see if you need further writing instruction.</p>
<p>Thanks alot for the link. I just revised my personal statement. </p>
<p>BTW, does it matter if each of the essays has more words than necessary? Like 240 instead of 200, and 630 instead of 600? Turns out I have more to say than I thought.</p>
<p>If you are applying online you won't be able to submit more than the exact word count.</p>
<p>You mean the 1000 word total, or the # of words per essay? And what if its slightly less?</p>
<p>The number of words per essay. Yes you can go under. Revise, revise and revise somemore. The more you revise the more extraneous stuff you can take out. Get it down to the point dude.</p>
<p>I think you can go a little over, maybe 20 words or so. I doubt the admission officers will just stop reading at the 600th word and disregard whatever you have to say. I believe I went a bit over on one of the short ones with 210 words.</p>
<p>I tried to go over last year, and the online application would not allow it. It was exactly the number of words allowed. I'm sure you can go over if you mail your application though.</p>
<p>Welll, I'm applying online, and basically, all that is left are the essays.</p>
<p>try putting in an essay over the allowed number of words and see if it cuts you off.</p>