Writing UC Personal Insight

Questions and Personal

Statements
 ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors
for Student Success
Category 1: Mindset Standards

M 4. Understanding that postsecondary education and life-long learning are necessary for long-term
career success
M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

Category 2: Behavior Standards

B-LS 2. Demonstrate creativity

B-LS 3. Use time-management, organizational and study skills
B-SS 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will learn how to write an effective response to
the UC insight questions.

By the end of this lesson, students will understand what is expected of them when
writing the UC Personal insight questions and have brainstormed a draft.
What do colleges look at?
1. Grades (A-G, C or better)
2. Rigor of Courses taken (AP, Honors, IB,ROP, CTE , dual program ,etc.…?)
3. Test Scores (ACT/SAT)
4. Essays/ Personal Statements
5. Letters of Recommendations (teachers, counselors, mentors,
employers,etc)
6. Extracurricular Activities (sports, clubs, community service, leadership
positions,etc)
7. Special Skills/Interests
Purpose of Personal Statements
❖ For University “Admissions Officers” to get to know who you are and to stand
out against applicants .
❖ To show different sides of you aside from academics. It should demonstrate
your interests, passions, and personality for example.
❖ The questions allow you to “reflect” on your experiences and show your
voice.
❖ A chance to let them know WHY you should be accepted into their university.
Do’s Don’ts

Reflect on your experiences/ personal events Use quotes or cliches

Do’s and Don’ts

Share your voice and express what you have to offer
/contribute or any plans you have for the future and
Use plagiarism or lie about experiences

how the program will help you achieve that.

Have an intriguing opening sentence. “Hook” the Answer questions directly (ex. I want to go to college
reader from the start and get to the point. because……… , An academic challenge of mine has
been……, I demonstrated leadership when……,etc)

Have an outline before writing to make sure you are Talk about what is already on your transcript, they
on topic and using your examples can see the courses and grades you have.
(However, you can choose to talk about a
subject/opportunity of interest).

Tell admissions officers your “why”, not your “what”. Submit essays without having reviewed and edited
with others. (Do Proofread!)

Write from the heart. They are experts, they will Go too far in the past, be more relevant of who you
notice the “made up fluff” . are today
REMEMBER: All questions are of equal
value

❏ Choose the 4 (out of 8) questions

that are most relevant to you and
that you can talk about
❏ Choose questions that you can
provide great “insight” on how you
have grown as a person and
experiences that have built your
character
❏ No right or wrong answer,
admissions officers want to hear
your unique background,
experiences, and voice
❏ You have 350 words for each
question to show WHO YOU ARE and
what you’re all about
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 KEEP IN MIND:

❖ What does leadership mean to you?

❖ How have you demonstrated leadership ? (now or in the past)
❖ Leadership does not mean you had to hold a position as “captain” or “president”, it
can be simply mentoring someone or being in charge of a specific task, or taking the
lead to organize events. “Analyze” and “reflect” on your accomplishments and
experiences. Describe how you took responsibility.
❖ Leadership can be demonstrated in any environment: home, school, church, sports,
work, etc…
❖ Be careful with the tone, don’t come across as “arrogant”.
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.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

❖ What does creativity mean to you?

❖ What is your creative skill and how have you used it or been able to do with
it?
❖ Creativity is not just in the form of arts, it can be your way of thinking. Do
you solve problems or disputes differently than others? Do you usually find
yourself “thinking outside the box”?
❖ WHY is your creativity important? What is the value of it?
❖ Does it relate to your major or future career of interest? Or does it influence
decisions you make inside and/or outside the classroom?
 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you
developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

❖ You don’t have to have an award or recognition for this talent/skill, it can
just be something you are proud of. (ex. You are good at communicating
with people and helping them solve problems. Or you can be good at
advertising for your club, school dances, sport events, etc…).
❖ Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you? How has it played an
important role in your life?
❖ Will this talent or skill be beneficial or enrich the UC community?
❖ Be sure to demonstrate how this talent or skill has required constant effort
and growth on your part.
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational
opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

❖ This includes AP, Honors, IB, dual enrollment, ROP , CTE, etc.
❖ Others: Summer internships or programs, taking an elective that genuinely
interested you, using your education outside of the classroom
❖ Educational Barriers could be: coming from a disadvantaged family,
low-income community, having to work to help your family financially, or
having to take care of a relative, or going to a high school that did not offer
you many resources to explore your career interest, etc.
❖ Discuss, analyze, and reflect . (how did you overcome this barrier and how
has it shaped who you are today? )
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?

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

❖ Be careful to not use the same example if you chose to write about an
“educational barrier”.
❖ A SIGNIFICANT challenge can be at home, school, in your community. Think
about what made it significant and how did or are handling it?
❖ How did this challenge affect or is affecting your life? Did it cause a change?
❖ Don’t focus on something superficial
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you
have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

❖ Your favorite subject does not have to be the major you are pursuing in college. (However,
if taking this subject encouraged you to apply for a specific major then that is a different
story.)
❖ How have you furthered your interest on this subject? (ex. Went from chemistry to AP
chemistry because you loved it, you want to major in chemistry, you now read articles in
chemistry to keep up to date, you joined the chemistry club, you’ve asked your chemistry
teacher how to become a chemist, applied for a summer research internship in chemistry
or related science, etc……). What have you gained from this involvement?
❖ Explain why the subject is important and interesting to you.
❖ How will you continue to pursue your interest while in college?
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better
place?

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

❖ Community can be : hometown, school, church, team, etc.

❖ Have you been involved in student government? Maybe acted toward an issue that
you are passionate about? (ex. Helped organize a fundraiser for a specific cause,
helped organize an event to celebrate a culture/religion/victory, serving in student
council to address concerns of the student body, currently advocating for
DACA/Undocumented community, etc. ).
❖ Has your participation or actions made What inspired you to act and what did you
learn from the experience?
❖ How did your actions benefit others or your community as a whole?
8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you
believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the
University of California?

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

❖ Write about things you did not get a chance to in the application.
Something to highlight a skill, talent, challenge , or opportunity that will
help admissions officers know you better.
❖ Try to avoid writing about being “hardworking” and a “good student” .
❖ Avoid talking about things that are included in your application like test
scores, rigorous courses, your position in band/sport/club, etc.
❖ Talk about something that makes you YOU.
QUESTIONS?
Before you leave…
Make sure you have your 4 questions
picked out and a general outline of what
you will talk about .