by Amanda Yen, Student Writer
The UC application is making waves as it adopts a standardized test-optional policy. Going test-optional, however, means that UC app readers will focus more on personal insight questions as they evaluate prospective students. Below, you’ll find some quick tips for tackling the writing section of the UC app.
- Skip the fluff. Your UC app reader has thousands of other essays they have to read, so make sure you get right to the point. They call them “personal insight questions” –– NOT short essays –– because they aren’t really interested in elaborate answers. A good way to tell your story in less words is to use more active verbs, and cut down on the adjectives.
- Talk it out first, then write. Sometimes it’s easier to answer insight questions by answering them out loud, interview-style. When you’re speaking your answer to a question instead of writing it, your response is more spontaneous and more genuine, because you aren’t overthinking it. Nobody likes hearing their own voice on tape, but it’s helpful to record yourself answering the question, then play it back for answers later.
- Tell them something they don’t know. You have to answer 4 personal insight questions, so make sure you talk about 4 different experiences. Maybe being captain of the soccer team had a profound impact on you –– but that’s something you can communicate in one answer. Take each question as a chance to explore a different aspect of your character.
- If it fits, pick the harder question. There are some questions that many applicants will feel comfortable answering –– usually, these ask you to talk about a skill, accomplishment or talent you have. The harder questions are the ones that ask you to show how you’ve grown or changed, because they ask you to show personal shortcomings.
- Command + shift + C. Don’t make the rookie mistake of exceeding the 350 word limit. Count them up!
There are plenty of great potential roommates out there, so give everyone a shot. And remember, you can always go random! Your roommate doesn’t have to be your best friend –– they just have to be someone you can live with well.
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