The “life challenge” essay for the UCLA film school supplement is the exact same prompt as one of the UC personal statements. Do they want an entirely new essay, or can I just reuse/elaborate on the essay I already wrote for the UC application? I’ve been asking everywhere on the internet for answers.
Howdy fellow TFT applicant!
The department definitely knows that the life challenge essay is very similar to that one personal insight essay prompt so I’m sure they are anticipating similar topics in each. It may come off as strange if you pick a new life challenge to discuss in the supplemental when you already indicated the first challenge as being “the most significant.” To make this new essay stand out, I would try describing the challenge in a new way (for example, using a different anecdote if possible) and going into greater/additional detail about how the challenge affected you and how you “overcame” it. I would definitely re-write the essay so that it reads like a totally new essay. If they read both essays and they are too similar (i.e. you copy and pasted paragraphs/full sentences) they may get bored and move on!
I think that one main reason they have a life challenge essay is because a lot of people tend to focus on life challenges in personal essays. By separating out a specific essay dedicated to discussing your life challenge, it allows everyone to write something fresh, interesting, and optimistic for their personal essay. But that is all just my interpretation!
Take my advice with a grain of salt though. I applied last year as well and was rejected. But, no one had responded to your question yet, so here I am! If anyone else has any insight, I’d be interested to hear it as well!
I this post is related to the film school - but would anyone know what the minimum ACT score would be for theater (musical theater/acting) for TFT?