Hi fellow applicants! I've chosen to answer UC essay prompt 2, which asks about how I've used my creative side to come up with a solution to a problem. I'm struggling with choosing a topic that showcases my creativity but doesn't come across as overused or cliché. Any suggestions or examples on how to brainstorm ideas for this prompt? Thanks!
Hello! First, check out this CollegeVine guide for in-depth tips on responding to each of the UC PIQs: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-california-essays
It's always a challenge to find a unique topic, but a great approach for brainstorming is to first make a list of situations or problems you've encountered, both personally and academically. Consider moments when you had to think outside the box, improvise, or use unconventional methods to solve an issue.
Once you've made a list, narrow it down to a few ideas by considering each situation's impact, whether it showcases your creativity, and if it's an important aspect of your life or personality. Keep the focus on how your creative thinking resolved the problem or contributed to a positive outcome, rather than solely describing the problem itself.
To help get your creative juices flowing, here are a few examples:
1. Organizing an original fundraising event for a club or organization that you are a part of, which required brainstorming innovative ideas to engage donors and promote the cause.
2. Creating a unique art project or performance piece that communicated a complex or sensitive topic to your audience (e.g., designing a photography exhibition to raise awareness about mental health).
3. Solving a group conflict or challenge by employing an unexpected approach, like mediating an argument in a student club by using a creative problem-solving technique (e.g., role-playing, storytelling, or drawing diagrams).
4. Developing a new study method for a particularly difficult subject that helped you and your peers better understand and retain the material. This could include using visual aids, mnemonic devices, or even creating educational content like videos or websites.
Remember that your essay should be personal, focused, and provide insight into your thought process and values. The key to standing out from cliché topics is to dive deep into your specific experiences, highlighting how your creative actions made a meaningful difference and what you learned from the process.
Best of luck with your essay!
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