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You
will encounter a variety of application questions, and the following are
examples of typical ones. Since many of you will apply to UC, here
is their Personal Statement.
If
you apply to a private college or university that uses the Common Application,
their essay questions are also listed below. These
topics, plus a sample of essay questions from several private colleges,
will offer a preview of what you'll see on many applications.
UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA, Application for Fall 2009
The
Personal Statement
In reading
your application, we want to get to know you as well as we can. There's
a limit to what grades and test scores can tell us so we ask you to write
a personal statement.
Your personal
statement is your chance to tell us who you are and what's important to
you. Think of it as your opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions
and scholarship officers reading your application. Be open, be honest,
be real. What you tell us in your personal statement gives readers the
context to better understand the rest of the information youve provided
in your application.
A couple
of tips: Read each prompt carefully and be sure to respond to all parts.
Use specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.
Finally, relax. This is one of many pieces of information we consider
in reviewing your application; an admission decision will not be based
on your personal statement alone.
Instructions
-
Respond
to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000 words total.
-
You may
allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one
prompt at greater length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less
than 250 words.
- Stay
within the word limit as closely as you can. A little over1,012
words, for exampleis fine.
Prompt
#1 (freshman applicants)
Describe
the world you come from for example, your family, community or
school and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and
aspirations.
Prompt
#1 (transfer applicants)
What is
your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed
and describe any experience you have had 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 (all applicants)
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.
COMMON
APPLICATION, Application for Fall 2008
Personal
Statement
This personal
statement helps us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses,
grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will demonstrate your
ability to organize thoughts and express yourself. We are looking for
an essay that will help us know you better as a person and as a student.
Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or
on one of the options listed below.
- Evaluate
a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical
dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
- Discuss
some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and
its importance to you.
- Indicate
a person who has had a significant influence on you, and explain that
influence.
- Describe
a character in fiction, an historical figure, or a creative work (as
in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and
explain that influence.
- A range
of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds
much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe
an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity
in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance
of diversity to you.
- Topic
of your choice.
PRIVATE
COLLEGES, Essay Topics
Here's
a brief sample of topics you might see:
- Create
a superhero that incorporates your best qualities: personality, talents,
skills, etc. . . . what kind of superpowers would this superhero have
. . . what is his or her name . . . what is this heros role in
society . . . etc.? (submitted by Heather Beck, Toledo,
OH) Claremont McKenna College
- The Block
Plan at Colorado College has a tradition of innovation and flexibility.
Please design your own three-and-a-half week intellectual adventure
and describe what you would do. Colorado College
- You're
given a block of stone and a hammer and chisel. What would you carve
and why? Kenyon College
- What are
the unique qualities of Northwestern University, and of the specific
undergraduate school to which you are applying, that make you want to
attend Northwestern? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the
qualities you have identified? Northwestern University
- Trinity
students wealth of backgrounds, opinions, and personal experiences
breathes life into our close-knit campus community. Considering your
own views, beliefs, and culture, what do you think your contribution
will be? Trinity University, Texas
- Use an
8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper to create something. You can blueprint
your future home, create a new product, design a costume or a theatrical
set, compose a score or do something entirely different. Let your imagination
wander. Tufts University
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