Hello! My sister is in the 10th grade and she's starting to think about college applications. Does anyone know what the UC essay prompts for 2024 will be like, if they have released, or will they remain the same? Thank you so much!
Hello! It's great to see that your sister is being proactive about her college applications. As of now, the University of California (UC) system hasn't released specific essay prompts for the 2024 application cycle. However, it's worth noting that the UC system typically retains the same set of personal insight questions for several years, with minor adjustments.
Currently, there are eight personal insight questions, and applicants are required to choose four of them to respond to. Each response is limited to 350 words. Here are the prompts for the 2021-2022 application cycle:
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. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
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?
Although it's not guaranteed that the prompts will remain exactly the same for the 2024 application cycle, it's likely that any changes will be minimal. Your sister can start by reviewing these questions and brainstorming potential topics for her essays. As the 2024 application cycle approaches, keep an eye on the UC admissions website for updates on the prompts, if any.
Good luck to your sister as she begins her college application journey!
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