1. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM The Personal Essay November 1, 2014 Key to College

2. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM Presented by: Hong Pham, Regional Assistant Director Early Academic Outreach Program hxpham@ucdavis.edu

3. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM Presented by: Lori Fuller, Regional Assistant Director Early Academic Outreach Program ljfuller@ucdavis.edu

4. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Goals & Objectives Understanding the role and use of the personal essay Viewing various prompts Brainstorming ideas Write.

5. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM The Challenge Believing you are special and have something to contribute.

6. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Purpose of the Personal Essay Opportunity to provide information that supports and adds to the review process – providing context for student achievement Helps readers know and understand applicants – content is key 6

7. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS UC Personal Statement Prompts Two questions Students respond to both questions. – A maximum of 1,000 total for both prompts – Students must stay within the word limit. Students choose length of each response. – Shorter response should be at least 250 words. 7

8. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Prompt #1 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. 8

9. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS 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? 9

10. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Common Application Prompts 1.Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2.Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? 3.Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

11. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Common Application Prompts 4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

12. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Three Tips for a Strong Personal Essay 1.Go deep, not wide 2.Focus on the victory 3.Make this about you

13. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS All About You – Finding a Topic In general, colleges and scholarships value: – Demonstrations of leadership Team captain President/Vice President of a club or organization Lead in a major activity Leadership role in family – Special skills Translating for family/community members Speech/debate winner National Merit Semi-Finalist – Talents Lead in a school play Winner of an art contest 13

14. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS All About You – Finding a Topic Students are encouraged to write about special circumstances that have influenced their educational experience: Topic areas – 1 st generation college student – Parental role in family – Personal challenges beyond student control – Contributions to the school (ROTC, club & community involvement)

15. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Brainstorm List all activities you have been involved with. – Does not need to be limited to what happened at school – Your home and community are a part of who you are

16. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Build Writing strategies – Outline – Free write – Word web

17. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Outline I.Introduction: I learned a lot from starting the first poetry club at my school a)I love poetry and wanted to share this a)Other people who like poetry b)People who are interested c)People who want to learn b)Etc II.What I did a)Convinced my English teacher to be the advisor b)Made signs to recruit members c)Etc... III.What I learned a)Lesson/Skill 1 b)Lesson/Skill 2 c)Lesson/Skill 3

18. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Free Write I always wondered why everyone doesn’t love poetry the way that I do. Hmmm…maybe they are scared to admit it. There’s poetry everywhere – in music, greetings cards, books. I wanted to make a club so I can share this passion with other people, people who like it, people who are scared, people who are curious. I didn’t know where to start so I asked my favorite teacher. She said she was too busy, but I didn’t want to give up…

19. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Word Web 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.

20. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS General UC Tips Apply broadly! Describe your achievements and challenges Don’t wait until the last minute