<p>I am thinking about applying to CS L&S at berkeley and was wondering if one of my essays being about computer science would help me or not. I know that at berkeley L&S, you arent admitted to the major, but rather the college, so would my passion help or hurt me?</p>
<p>It would help in that you’re demonstrating a passion for a subject, but I don’t think the fact that it’s related to your intended major really matters.</p>
<p>If a student wrote about how they love subject A but the intended major they list have absolutely nothing to do with said subject, it might confuse the ad comm (which isn’t good for you)</p>
<p>It’ll help in the sense that it shows the adcoms that you have a passion in CS and that you already have a plan on what you want to be if you do get admitted.</p>
<p>Unless you are a transfer student (in which case talking about your major is the whole point of the essay), I would suggest you not make it your main focus. You can minimally mention it, but I recommend staying ON TOPIC. </p>
<p>My brother took a few classes for writing UC essays and one of the hand outs he brought home made this point.</p>
<p>The fact that you’re personal statement is about CS does not help you even though you are an intended CS major. However, the fact that you are writing about something you are passionate about will help you, provided that the essay is high quality and memorable. </p>
<p>The point of the essay is to make you stand out. What topic you pick doesn’t matter, but an interesting one may increase the quality of your essay.</p>
<p>ok thank you
I know that EECS and other engineering majors want you to write about your intended major, so could a good essay with a lot of passion make a noticable difference. I know berkeley says they use wholistic admission but how much would a good essay really help me?</p>
<p>Nooo, write about something unique. I’m surprised this hasn’t been said! There are so many people who write about volunteering, and why they want to be this or that, but honestly, it’s probably not going to help. You should write about something that shows who you are and how something left a major impact on you. My story was very very unique and it showed that I wasn’t stuck up or just about grades, but that I actually cared about people and working through their problems rather than be a self-centered *itch.</p>
<p>Sorry, that last part was mainly about my roommate and how she is a ****** because of who she is haha but it’s true.</p>
<p>A good essay with lots of passion may be the deciding factor in your admission. An essay exclusively focused on CS that sounds generic probably won’t.</p>
<p>But whatever you choose to do, remember to stay on topic! :)</p>
<p>(and I’m an example of adcoms not really caring about what your intended major is - I got admitted into UCB Chemical Biology and UCLA Undeclared Social Sciences with the exact same essays…)</p>