Tips on Writing Personal Insight Questions Early Academic Outreach Program The UC comprehensive review process consists of multiple parts: School and family demographics, you environment, your academics, the application and the Personal Insight questions The key words here supports and augments (supplements), it doesn’t add new information.

Personal Insight Questions Goals and Objectives Personal Insight Questions Goal 1: Admissions Perspective Function of PSI in an Admission Decision Content is Critical Goal 2: Understanding the Personal Insight Questions Importance of YOUR Uniqueness Writing Strategies Pitfalls to avoid Goal 3: The Writing Process Word Web Adds clarity, depth and meaning to information collected in other parts of the application Enables applicant to make the best case possible for admission An admission decision will never be based on the content of a personal insight questions alone

August 1: Application opens for fall 2016 Before you start… August 1: Application opens for fall 2016 November 1-30: Application submission period

What is it comprised of? … You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you:  But you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances. All questions are equal:  All are given equal consideration in the application review proces no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others. There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.   Questions & guidance Remember, the personal questions are just that — personal. The important thing is expressing who are you, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

Devin 60 A-G courses completed 3.8 GPA (unweighted) ACT Math: 30 SAT Total: 1350 While each UC campus has a slightly different process for reviewing applications, we all use the same 14 selection criteria academic factors: strong GPA and exam scores non-academic factors: leadership, special talents and perseverance. You can learn more about each criterion in detail in our Admission Requirements Brochure and at our Admissions website. In this example of a fictitious UC Davis student, “Devin,” we can see that he is a bright student who tests well and has completed an ambitious number of A-G courses. But we are not able to get a complete picture of who Devin is beyond the academic factors that he provided in his application.

Participated in school orchestra Devin Community service for ArtWalk Participated in school orchestra Summer internship Worked after school Here is another example of Devin, which gives us more information about his accomplishments, in addition to what we saw in the first example. This is a good start, but the picture is still blurry. He has missed many opportunities in his application to showcase his strengths, non-academic achievements and his life experiences that have shaped who he is today. For example, we can see that Devin is in the orchestra, but we don’t know which instrument he played, or if he held a leadership role. We can see that he played lacrosse, but we don’t know how the team did, or if he played a role in the team’s success. He worked after school, but where and in what capacity? Community service is always excellent, but did he participate one weekend for four hours, or did he work over the course of six months and participate in a leadership role, and what was the result? AP Exam, U.S. History: 4 Played soccer

400 hours community service as student chair for city ArtWalk benefit Devin 400 hours community service as student chair for city ArtWalk benefit – raised $25,000 AVID mentor First chair, violin, in school orchestra 1st place, state fair photography exhibit 6-week summer internship with marketing firm – surveying the “teen market” Here is a third example of Devin with details and specifics that fill in the details and highlight his abilities, ambition and potential to contribute to our campus. We learn that he plays the violin in the school orchestra, and he was first chair. Not only did he play soccer, his team won the Division Championship this year, and he earned Most Valuable Player recognition. He also contributed 400 hours of community service in a leadership role that helped raise $25,000 for city art programs. Please note that these are just examples – you do not need to be an MVP, play on a championship team, or be the “best” at something to be considered for admission to UC Davis. If you have a particular life experience or accomplishment that holds significant meaning to you, we encourage you to include it in your application and convey how you have benefitted or learned from it in some way. MVP, Division Champions 2013, soccer Junior class president

Purpose of the Personal Insight Questions Part of the UC comprehensive review process Completes the application for admission Opportunity to provide information that supports and augments the application Adds clarity, depth and meaning to information collected in other parts of the application An admission decision will never be based on the content of Personal Insight Questions alone When readers read critically (as admissions readers will do), they are asking questions, making observations and constructing interpretations of the information they are reading. A writer fulfills the pact with the reader by addressing these questions, observations and interpretations. You can anticipate these by becoming a critical reader of your own completed application.

question 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. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or a taking lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about your accomplishments and what you learned from the experience.  What were your responsibilities? 

Consider this… Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church in your community or an organization? Note: leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities.  For example, do you help out or take care of your family? Plug in the same word in both lines

Inquiries to think about What is a major issue confronting my family, school, community and what has been my role in addressing it? How have I changed as a result of addressing this major issue, and what impact has that change had on my dreams and aspirations? Why did I choose to do what I did to address this issue?

Question 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.  

What does creativity mean to you? Consider This… What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem? How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

Question 3 What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?  

Consider this…  If there’s a talent or skill that you’re proud of, this is the time to share it. You don’t necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you? Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?

Question 4 Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Consider This… An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that’s geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you — just to name a few. 

if Writing about Educational Barriers faced If you choose to write about educational barriers you’ve faced, how did you overcome or strived to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who are you today?

Question 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?

Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone? Consider This… A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone? If you’re currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, “How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends, or with my family?” This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from the experience.

Question 6 Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.

What you have gained from your involvement? Consider This… Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom — such as volunteer work summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or activities — What you have gained from your involvement? Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)?

Question 7 What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?  

Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community? Consider This… Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place – high school, hometown, or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Inquires to Consider Why were you inspired to act?  What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?

Question 8 What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?

Consider This… Don’t be afraid to brag a little. Even if you don’t think you’re unique, you are — remember, there’s only one of you in the world. From your point of view, what do you feel makes you belong on one of UC’s campuses? When looking at your life, what does a stranger need to understand in order to know you? 

Inquiries to Consider What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge, or opportunity that you think will help us know you better? We’re not necessarily looking for what makes you unique compared to others, but what makes you, YOU. Refugee experience 1st generation college student Parental role in family Personal challenges beyond student control

Additional Comments Section Provide additional clarification on important details in your application, such as honors, awards, activities. Share information regarding a nontraditional school environment or unusual circumstances. Describe anything else that you HAVE NOT had the opportunity to include elsewhere in your application. 550 word limit to this section. After you complete the personal insight questions, you will see another section called “Additional Comments.” This is an optional section and should not be used as a continuation of your responses to the personal questions.

I love poetry I shared my passion with others Word Web – an example Accomplishment: Poetry Club I love poetry No poetry club at my school Created the first poetry club at my school I shared my passion with others It enhanced my writing, leadership, and organizational skills because I practice them so much with myself and others.

Common Pitfalls

Avoid common mistakes: Talking about one campus Inappropriate use of humor Creative writing (poems, clichés) Quotations: We want to know your thoughts & words, not someone else’s Generalities: Stick to facts and personal examples Repetition: Give us new info. we can’t find in other sections of the application Asking philosophical questions: Get to the point and tell us what you mean Acronyms: Spell it out for us! You’re talking to all UC campuses you apply to in your responses Voice: Clichés and Over-the-top Prose My father always told me that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. (A cliché) A feeling of indescribable disbelief overcame me. (Wordy prose)

Selflessness: Focusing more on someone else’s experience Common PitFalls Selflessness: Focusing more on someone else’s experience My mother is a refugee from Vietnam. At the young age of 17, she had to leave her country, her friends, and the only life she knew to escape communist oppression. As a child, I remember her struggle to learn English: as a matter of fact, I remember that we learned to read together when I was in kindergarten. Eventually, she learned enough English and was able to take some classes at a community college near our home. She earned an AA in accounting. I admire her strength, determination and resilience and she is a constant reminder to me that anything is possible as long as you can dream and are willing to work hard.

Common PitFALLS Complaining instead of explaining Because my mother is a single parent, she has had to make a lot of sacrifices to keep me and my brother in a private school. It means that we have to go without a lot of things, which is sometimes embarrassing. But even though everyone in my school knows that we are poor, no one is willing to give me a break. This is especially true of my English teacher. Because she didn't like me, and she is not comfortable with poor people, she gave me a C in English when I really should have gotten a B.

Resiliency, authenticity & Persistence (RAP)

Resiliency, Authenticity & Persistence (RAP) School Example Resiliency, Authenticity & Persistence (RAP) Although my school does not offer Advanced Placement Spanish, I wanted to master Spanish so that I could enrich my understanding of literature of Latin America and prepare for my eventual career of becoming a diplomat. I prepared on my own for the Advanced Placement Spanish exam, and as a result have become a more disciplined and engaged student in all my classes.

contribution Resiliency, authenticity & Persistence (RAP) Although I do not plan to major in veterinary science, my experiences raising and caring for animals have helped me understand how important animals are to human well-being. Because I have seen the result of human disregard for other forms of life, I am better able to appreciate the importance of ethical treatment for all. As a result, I will be able to contribute my knowledge of animals preservation and my skills as an organizer to the campus environment.

Success! Resiliency, Authenticity & Persistence (RAP) Although my parents are now both employed, my family has had to struggle to survive. I am the oldest of six and, because our family income does not support us adequately, I work part-time to provide food and shelter for us. Working has taught me to stay disciplined and to use my time appropriately. As a result, I have been able to maintain high academic achievement while supporting my family.

Writing Tips Start Early Write Persuasively Use “I” Statements Proofread and edit Solicit Feedback Copy and Paste Relax Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make. Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses. Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends — can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's published words but your own. Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

A message from UC Faculty… While it is acceptable to receive feedback or helpful suggestions, applicants’ personal insight questions are to reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone.

Questions