This week we are back with our admissions expert, Robert Schwartz from YourBestCollegeEssay, to give you in his insights on how to effectively tackle the UC essay prompts 5-8.
The University of California admissions officers place more importance on their essays than any other school in America. Knowing which prompts to pick, how to attempt them, and tricks to making sure they have a powerful impact on your application, can make all the difference to getting accepted. Here are some tips for essay prompts 4-8.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
I try and make the challenge exist outside of the classroom which show another side to the applicant. It can be based in your family, or community. What they’re looking for is how this challenge made you a better student or person – real life issues with show growth. This will help admissions officer see what kind of student you will be on their campus should they accept you.
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
This is another go-to prompt. It seems like every applicant I have worked with has a class unlike any other class. It’s okay to use a required class like: math, science, or english. But when an applicant chooses a class I never expected and I learn something from this class – awesome! Maybe it’s a class they were forced to take, or one which was out of their wheelhouse. These are where real growth happens and admissions officers want to read about these kind of experiences.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
This is another prompt admissions officers like. Whatever you write about, they envision you doing things like that on their campus. Perhaps it’s a club you started, or an extracurricular which you were instrumental in making a success. You can’t lose on this one!
8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
Another “road less traveled” essay. Hardly anyone ever chooses it. This is a big risk, which I always endorse. This is the essay where you can gamble big, show them a unique or unusual side of you, and leave a very positive and lasting impression.
Did you find that helpful? Let us know and comment below! If you have any additional questions for our experts, please leave them below.
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