Hey everyone! I'm a junior right now, planning to apply to UC Berkeley this fall. I'd like to get started on my essays as soon as possible, so can anyone share the UC Berkeley essay prompts for the class of 2024? Thanks in advance!
Hello! UC Berkeley, like all University of California schools, uses the UC application system. You'll actually be responding to Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) rather than specific essay prompts for UC Berkeley, so you can use the same responses for all UC schools you apply to. For the class of 2024, the PIQs were as follows:
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?
You will be asked to respond to four of the eight questions, with each response limited to 350 words. I recommend brainstorming and outlining your responses as early as now so that you can revise and refine your essays over time. Good luck with your application!
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