Writing G AVILAN C OLLEGE Personal Statement for UC Application “Your personal statement should be exactly that — personal. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself — your hopes, ambitions, life experiences, inspirations. We encourage you to take your time on this assignment. Be open. Be reflective. Find your individual voice and express it honestly.” — University of California

This presentation is adapted from: University of California How to apply Personal statement For more information on Personal Statements, visit their website apply/personal-statement/index.html

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html Pay close attention to UC instructions and due dates. Start early. Write your responses in advance. Read each prompt carefully and be sure to respond to all parts. Choose a topic for your essays. There is a 30-minute time limit in place on each page of the UC application. DO NOT compose your answers there. Compose and save them using a word processing program. Write persuasively. Revise and proofread. Solicit feedback. Copy and paste your answers into the online application fields. Relax. Tips and Techniques

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html PROMPTS 3 Personal Statement 1: Transfer applicant Personal Statement 2: For all applicants Additional Comments

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html All applicants must respond to two personal statement prompts. Responses to the two prompts, combined, must be a maximum of 1,000 words. Allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, it is suggested your shorter answer be no less than 250 words. Directions for Personal Statement Prompts

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html Personal Statement 1 TRANSFERAPPLICANT 1 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.

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html Personal Statement 2 FOR ALL APPLICANTS 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?

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html The third prompt for Additional Comments is optional. The response to this prompt is limited to 550 words (in addition to the 1000 words combined in the personal statements). You may use this space for anything else you would like the UC to know that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application. Directions for Additional Comments

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html If you wish, you may use this space to tell us anything else you want us to know about you that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application.ADDITIONALCOMMENTS 3

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html You may want to use your personal statement to: Describe how your military service has been instrumental in developing your educational plans. Indicate if you are entitled to educational benefits as a result of your own military service or the service-connected death or disability of a parent or spouse. Indicate if you are affiliated with the military, such as the spouse or dependent of someone who is on active duty or a current participant in an ROTC-type program. Additional instructions for active-duty or veterans of the US Military

Adapted from: U NIVERSITY OF C ALIFORNIA How to apply Personal statements w-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html The personal statement is the University of California’s introduction to you. Having a clear, descriptive, and error-free statement will show you in the best light. The Writing Center is open to help you with all aspects of writing your personal statement, including brainstorming, revising, and proofreading. Your counselor is available to advise you about all elements of the UC application process. The Stakes are High

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing This presentation is adapted from: University of California How to apply Personal statement For more information on Personal Statements, visit their website apply/personal-statement/index.html