College Essay Advice

JASON ZHU

SENIOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

For those who intend to apply to the UC’s there are certain tips I have found rather helpful from personal experience writing the Personal Insight Questions.

When writing essays, have concrete content. Listing activities, accomplishments and personal qualities is important, but it is not as effective as addressing a meaningful experience that showcases one’s character, abilities and impact on the local community.

While working on different prompts, students should always be mindful that the four essays are weighed as a collective whole. Each essay has the power to complement and support one another. As students brainstorm for ideas, they should think about how the topics can work together; this includes avoiding overlapping content in different essays and highlighting unique aspects of individuals.

During the revision process, a writer should limit the number of editors for each essay to avoid convoluting ideas and views and to keep the writing original. Another crime many people are guilty of is focusing on others involved in their story and not themselves. The essays ultimately are about the applicant, not anyone else who is involved.

With the application deadline coming up all applicants should look to complete the essays early. While the essays are much simpler than extravagant rhetoric or Homeric epics, they are not impromptu.