Changes in the University of California Essay Prompts Coming with the Fall 2017 College Application

For the first time since 2008, the University of California will be changing their essay prompts, going from two longer open-ended questions to multiple short-answer prompts. More specifically, the new prompts, called “Personal Insight Questions”, are meant to help admissions staff in the evaluation of applicants by providing deeper insight into the qualities they value. At the same time, the new essay format benefits applicants by providing increased guidance and greater flexibility in the writing of these short responses. Students can now select which questions they wish to answer, in effect determining what information they share with the UC. According to the UC, all questions are valued evenly. For freshman applicants, this means selecting four of eight questions to answer and for transfer applicants this requires them to respond to one required question plus an additional three of seven questions. The lone required question for transfer students is intended to garner specific information about their intended major. This is similar to the previous essay prompt for transfer students in the past.  Each question has a maximum of 350 words. The instructions state that the additional comments section should not be used for additional space to answer more than the four required questions.

The UC advises students to select those questions that best illustrate their inspirations, interests, talents, ambitions, experiences, and values. In other words, they want to know your personality and what makes you unique. Although this is only aspect of the college admission process, it is indeed an important one as the applicant has an opportunity to take center stage and impress the admission officers that are reading their application. Although content is most important, applicants should take the time to proofread and edit for grammatical and spelling mistakes as errors of that sort can reflect negatively on them.

The questions for freshman applicants are: (taken from the UC website https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/)

Choose 4 of these 8 questions:

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
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?
6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?

The questions for transfer applicants require you to answer:

1. Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university. (mandatory)

And 3 of the following 7 questions:

2. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
3. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
4. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
5. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
6. 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?
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?

Basically, question 6 of the freshman applicant questions has been replaced with the mandatory question for transfer applicants. It is a more directed and specific approach to a question related to academic area of interest. A transfer student should have more information to share in that area based on their past academic and life experience. The UC website listed above provides further guidance and assistance as to how to approach these questions. The UC’s intent is that the selection of questions by a student will be based on what is most appropriate for them, drawing from their personal life experiences or situations.

As top Los Angeles private college counselors, Helping Hand College Guidance is determined to provide the ultimate in one-on-one comprehensive or hourly college counseling services whether you reside within Los Angeles, the greater United States, or are applying as an international student. We offer essay guidance on the University of California application, the Common Application, and out-of-state college applications which includes brainstorming, developing ideas, outlining, proofreading, and revision. Pam Ohriner is looking forward to attending the fall UC Counselor Conference and informative webinars so that she can share the latest information on this topic with students and families. Helping Hand College Guidance offers a free half hour phone consultation at 310-733-8433.