Personal Statement Workshop By Lisa Lu, M.S.,

Transcription

1 Personal Statement Workshop By Lisa Lu, M.S., Overview: What s on the college application? Why is the personal statement important? 8 UC Essay Prompts 5 Common Application Essay Prompts Sample Private College Essay Prompts Tips for writing a great essay How to prepare for college applications What's on the college applications: Classes Grades Test Scores Activities Personal Statement Classes: 7 th & 8 th : Math and foreign language 9 th 11 th grade 12 th grade Fall semester Difficulty of classes Honors, AP, IB Tip: Prepare for college level work in middle and high school Grades: Weighted vs. Unweighted An A in a regular class vs. a B in an AP class? Tip: Find other ways to show academic success such as a class at a community college or a UC Test Scores: SAT or ACT: Either one SAT (max 1600, above 1500) ACT (max 36, above 33) SAT vs. ACT Old SAT vs. New SAT SAT II Subject Test: 2 are required Tip: Get started early in 9 th or 10 th grade

2 UC Admit Rates: UCLA (2014) UCLA (2015) UC Berkeley (2014) UC Berkeley (2015) UC Riverside (2015) Admit Rate 18.2% 16.9% 17.3% 16.9% 56% GPA SAT ACT Activities: What are you doing when not in school? Extracurricular activities: sports, art, piano Volunteer work Summer camps, programs, research Work experience Tip: Do what you love. Innovation and Leadership. Personal Statement: Tell colleges about yourself your hopes, ambitions, life experiences, inspirations. Information not on the application Background, family, character Show your writing skills Why is it important? As a senior, you can still write great essays to help increase your chances of admission Explain unique circumstances, i.e. bad grade, family illness Show ethnic and cultural background Who are you and what do you have to offer? UC Personal Statements: 8 questions Write 4 essays 350 words max per essay Can apply to all 8 UC s

3 UC Essay Prompts: 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. 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. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. 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? 6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you. 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California? Common Application: Over 500+ colleges Private colleges and out of state public colleges 5 essay prompts Write 1 essay 650 words max Plus additional supplemental essays Common Application Essay Prompts: 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. Private College Supplemental Essays: Depends on college: 1-10 essays Some do not have any supplements Most common questions: Why our college? Why this major? Books, films, magazines Activity you are most proud of

4 Sample Supplemental Essays: Stanford: 1. Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit) 2. What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit) 3. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit) 4. How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit) 5. What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 word limit) 6. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit) 7. What five words best describe you? 8. Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. (250 word limit) 9. Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better. (250 word limit) MIT: All Essays words 1. We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. 2. Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? 3. What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or anything else you d like to tell us about. 4. Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? 5. Tell us about the most significant challenge you ve faced or something important that didn t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? How to write the personal statement: Getting Started: Brainstorm activities and awards Choose key experiences in your life One activity per essay The activity is the gateway to your development and characteristcs What did you learn from it? How did it change you? Writing Tips: Use I or My Essay is interview with admissions officer Use honest, sincere voice Be reflective Have specific examples How did it shaped you?

5 Do's: Make your essay clear and easy to read Be direct and concise Use topic sentences Ah ha moments Don t be afraid to show weaknesses Show information not on the application Answer the prompt Don'ts: Begin with overly detailed hook Activity laundry list Use large vocabulary words you don t understand Very long paragraphs Indirect confusing writing Strong religious or political views Shock value (profanity) Final Tips: Pretend you are sitting in front of an admissions officer and answer the question verbally Make master list of all essay prompts and reuse essays when possible Use autobiographical style writing What to do to prepare for college applications: Middle School: Explore interests Improve weaknesses: Academically and Socially Build a strong foundation Strive for high school readiness Freshmen - Junior Year: Develop passions 3 4 activities Show interest in major Leadership and innovation Visit colleges Strive for college readiness End of Junior Year: Narrow list of 8-10 colleges by end of junior year Ask Sophomore or Junior year teachers for 2 rec letters Senior Year Summer: Begin UC personal statements in June UC and Common Applications: August 1 Begin Private College personal statements in August Schedule interviews with private colleges

6 Senior Year Fall: Apply for community scholarships Last testing for Early Decision: October Last testing for Regular Decision: December Early Action & Early Decision deadline 11/1 or 11/15 Regular Decision deadline 1/1 Senior Year Spring: Apply for college scholarships Early Decision Acceptances: 12/16 Regular Decision Acceptances: 3/31 Financial Aid offers: 4/31 Submit intent to register: 5/1 Questions? Please contact Ms. Lisa Lu: or Free 60 minute consultation: Including high school class planning, test information, summer programs, college and career assessment