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UC Personal Statement Tips
Understanding the Personal Statement

Tips for UC Bound Students

So you are considering transferring to the University of California?  Good for you!  As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a personal statement in your online application at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply.  This statement will be used by some campuses for admission selection purposes, and by all campuses for scholarship selection purposes.  Each year, specific UC campuses receive more applications from students than they can admit.  An overwhelming majority of students meet the minimum requirements for admission, and the academic records of these qualified students are usually very similar, often showing only minor differences.  To discover and evaluate the distinctions among applicants, the University looks closely at an individual’s entire application.  The personal statement helps provide insight into a student’s level of achievement and character.  It is used to learn more about you as an individual – your talents, experiences, challenges, achievements and point of view.  It is your opportunity to let the admission officers and faculty learn more about you beyond the information you provided in the other sections of the application.  The Additional Comments box on the application following the Personal Statement section may be used to address other important information, such as explaining unusual circumstances, that are not covered elsewhere in the application.

You may start to feel frustrated, afraid, and overwhelmed at some point during this process.  This is normal.  Don’t let these feelings stop you from completing this task. University Transfer Center counselors are available to guide and support you through the process of developing your personal statement.  Please let us know if you would like our assistance.

Transfer applicants should respond to the two prompts listed below using a maximum of 1,000 words total.   The word count may be allocated among the two prompts however you wish.

If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, your shorter answer should be no less than 250 words.

Prompt #1

What is your intended major?  Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experiences you have in the field – such as volunteer work, internships, and employment, participation in student organizations and activities- and what you have gained from your involvement.

Prompt #2

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience that is important to you.  What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are.

As you develop your personal statement, make sure to…

Read the instructions carefully.

Allow enough time for your first draft to sit for a while, be reflected on, be read out loud to a friend, be critiqued by individuals you trust - such as a friend, parent, teacher, and/or counselor - and be refined, revised, polished, and finished.

Develop your own ideas and write it by yourself.

Present your information and ideas in a focused, in-depth, thoughtful, and meaningful manner.

Support your ideas with specific examples.

Include information on your personal qualities such as leadership abilities, self-discipline, tenacity, maturation, commitment to others.

Show meaningful participation – not just a list– in activities that have enriched your education.

Think about and illustrate how you have demonstrated a sensitivity to and respect for difference (sustained community service).

Describe your experiences as a leader, the type of person who makes things happen, a catalyst who motivates others, who initiates something that meets a perceived need.

Write in your own voice, show what is special about you, and speak honestly – the personal statement is not solely a sample of writing skills although appropriate grammar, level of usage and spelling are expected.  Be sure your grammar is correct and your essay reads smoothly.

When appropriate, show your ability to take responsibility for your choices and behavior – what you have or have not done – and what you have learned from your mistakes.

Avoid comprising an exhaustive list of activities, honors, awards, qualities or accomplishments – explain their relevance to your life.

Stay away from exaggerating problems, manufacturing hardship, whining, and blaming others.

Be careful with humor and avoid "cute."

Remember that no single perfect personal statement exists – there is only the one that is right for you.

When all is said and done…check to make sure your statement answers the basic question for the reader, "What have I learned about you as an individual?"

Avoid writing it specifically for one UC campus – don’t limit your options.

For more information call us today!