<p>So I guess this isn't a question about Berkeley only, but about the UC application in general. </p>
<p>When I selected my majors from the drop-down list for each university, I was told that I'm "advised" to write about my intended major (chemistry) in my personal statements.</p>
<p>So here I am, with one essay asking me about my "world" and one essay asking me about an "experience". I already know I can slam dunk the experience essay by talking about a chemistry program I participated in a while back. Unfortunately, now I'm sitting here with a bored keyboard unable to write anything about my "world". I have topics floating around in my head, but none of them relate to my intended major at all.</p>
<p>Is it all right to write an essay on a topic not related to my intended major? Or should I continue wracking my head for a major-fitting topic.</p>
<p>A thousand thanks to anyone who can answer :)</p>
<p>No, you just need to be yourself. I am applying for Berkeley too but I am contrary to you. I have a hard time thinking about an experience or quality but the background thing is pretty easy to me. You just dig into your heart and think what in your world has built and shaped the person you are today. By the way, any advise on the second one?</p>
<p>Both do not need to be about your major (technically neither do). In my “world” essay, I just wrote about my family and my background. The experience essay is to let admissions know about your goals and achievements, and the “world” essay is to let them know about yourself. Just write about why you are you!</p>
<p>Ok, thanks dina.
I was worried because it seems that only applicants to the School of Chemistry and the School of Engineering get the message popping up that says “advised to write about major”.</p>
<p>I’m applying to Berkeley too, and Essay 2 was extremely easy because I just recycled it from Common App. It had nothing to do with my “intended major” (I’m applying for CoE, Undeclared). Pretty high WC.</p>
<p>In essay 1, I basically talked about why I wanted to do engineering, and only mentioned a specific focus once, very briefly. Low WC. This one was REALLY hard for me to write; I wrote like 3 completely different drafts before I picked this one.</p>
<p>I don’t think it matters too much if you zero in on your “intended major”, just that you explain maybe why you pick CoE or CoC over, say, polisci.</p>