Looking for some feedback regarding my ideas for UC personal statements. They have me hesitant because people are saying the UC’s are not looking for unorthodox approaches but straight answers unlike other colleges.
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.
This one has me stumped. I’m not quite sure what the prompt is asking for. I am a 2nd gen immigrant and went to a very competitive (and mostly Asian) high school. I could talk about how this shaped me but is seems very cliche and shallow. I’m also considering discussing being “different” and going against stereotypes, then tying it in with my goals of studying engineering even as a girl. Which one (if any) is appropriate?
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
I want to discuss how I began to teach martial arts after training for years. I’m a very introverted person and have trouble speaking to groups so this was a big deal for me. Should I instead focus on a tangible achievement (like my 2nd degree black belt) and the perseverance and drive it took to achieve it?
Please tell me what you think. Is it important for me to find a way to tie my major in?
For the first one, it would be interesting to know how someone whom I’m assuming had a traditional upbringing and goes to a school where everyone has the same goals and aspirations (to be the best, do the most, work towards careers X, Y, and Z) got to the point of defying stereotypes.
For the second one, I think you should go with whichever achievement is most meaningful to you, regardless of whether or not its tangible. You don’t have to tie in your major, but maybe the things you’ve learned from martial arts shaped you in a way that explains your career goals (e.g. the value of perseverance for sure).
the first prompt is really wide open, the general background on you, things that are important to you and they want to find out any situations that you had to face, for hardship students especially. It is place to put your life into perspective. You have an opportunity to show the things that were meaningful in your life and impacted the type of person you are and then you get to show what kind of person you are that way. It is asking for some vital info and some introspection and a bit of forward looking too. So I don’t think this is an essay to get creative with especially --they are asking you to set a scene–but more to dig deep. You have a chance to show the essence of what you are all about.
For the second prompt your first thought is great.