I've got my eyes on a couple of University of California schools, and I'm trying to plan out my application strategy. Can someone tell me if UC schools are part of the Common App system or if they use their own application? Not sure where to get started for those.
Hello! It's great that you're being proactive about your college application process. The University of California (UC) system does indeed have its own application platform, separate from the Common Application. It's known as the UC Application. You'll find that the UC Application has different essay prompts — they call them Personal Insight Questions — and you'll have to write four shorter essays rather than one main personal statement, so make sure to account for that as you budget your time.
Best of luck with your UC applications!
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