BACKGROUND:
1st generation hispanic
67k family income
Lifelong CA resident
GPA: 4.0
(I also will be TAP certified, no alternate chosen though)
ECs:
Completion of Honors Transfer Program at my CC
Participant in Honors Transfer Conference at UCI
Worked 2 jobs in after school programs during full time course load (1.5 years)
Started own small business in makeup artistry (current)
Nanny 3-5x/week (current)
Volunteering for a literacy intervention program in community (3+ years)
Interned 1 year at literacy intervention program
Dean’s list
Scholarship recipient for social and behav. sciences dept.
Essays (now PIQs):
Interest in major- Spoke on how I lacked passion in my previous career/major path and took a semester off to pursue my interest in the cosmetics and makeup industry professionally. Grew my platforms from under 800 followers to over 12k collectively in 6 months. Fascinated with public relations and personal branding/marketing as I used these skills to develop working relationships w/ big name makeup brands. Heavy interest in human connection found in computer-mediated communication.
Community contribution- Discussed my experience volunteering for previously mentioned literacy program in low socioeconomic areas. Explained personal impact on students and importance of literacy as a basis for success in education.
Educational barrier-
1st gen student, oldest of 3. Lost home in 6th grade and moved 3x before entering HS. Spoke on lack of guidance and resources in high school as my parents were inexperienced, and how I opted out of applying to UC system because of this. Then sought out Honors program where I attended transfer workshops and took on a more rigorous courseload (honors courses). Took responsibilty for own education, unaffected by my circumstances. Coming full circle by conquering the process that intimidated me.
Creativity/what it means to me-
Emphasized my love for makeup at a young age and how it grew into my passion to pursue a career in the industry. Discussed how my creativity is the driving force for everything I do; my opportunity to inspire others to explore their creativity and so on…
CONCERN
My main concern is that since I changed my major (from sociology to communications) after taking my semester off, I will be taking my final 3 communications courses in the winter (1 course) and spring (2 courses) prior to transfer. I know it’s preferred to have them done by the fall, but since I spoke about my personal journey on finally choosing my major, will it still significantly decrease my chances for admission?