UC Personal Statement Prompt #1

Applying to College
1

<p>The prompt says: Describe the world you come from -- for example, your family, community, or school -- and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.</p>

<p>I plan to major in aerospace/mechanical engineering but I find it extremely difficult to write my personal statement connecting my world to why I want to be an engineer. </p>

<p>Question: For the personal statement, do I necessarily have to write why I want to be an engineer or can I personalize it with my dream/aspirations being that I want to be an leader/role model/person of understanding? </p>

<p>My world is growing up in a place very different from where I went to high school. I want to explain how that place is part of who I am; however, I am having trouble relating it to why I want to be an engineer (I want to work with airplanes because I like the thought of freedom in the air).</p>

2

<p>Good question. Though I am no expert, I would actually encourage you to write about how the world you come from has shaped your aspirations to become a good role model. or something to that effect. I think it will add an originality to the essay. Furthermore, I’d like to just point out that the prompt only says “tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.” It never says those dreams and aspirations have to be career related at all. Frankly, I think wanting to be a moral person is a good aspiration in life, and one that would make a good essay. :)</p>